CLUB REPORTS

• Published date: 03 March 2022
• Publication title: Taupo Weekender

Last week, we began by walking down through Spa Park to the Waikato River. The flow was very low and it was easy to spot the trout as they zig-zagged through the shallows. The warm pool which lies where the hot water stream empties into the river was no more than a few centimetres in depth

The Cook Strait cable was out of action over the weekend and this threw all the North Island demand on to the facilities north of Cook Strait. As the river had been heavily employed in providing power for those few days, by the time it got to Wednesday it was time to give the river a rest, hence the low flow rate.

Instead of carrying on alongside the river, we moved up into the woods and along the path that runs high above the well trodden track that leads to Huka Falls. Near the highest point there is a rope swing way above a gully, it must be great fun to try but none of us was brave enough to have a go.

Part of this track must be a contender for Taupō’s most picturesque path. It runs dead straight between an honour guard of tall pine trees. Last week, the ground and indeed everything had an auburn glow in the morning sunshine with the beams picking out highlights among the trees.

On the way back there were lots of people playing frisbee golf. There were some very skilful shots which skimmed the ground, turned corners and climbed into the target chains. It must be the fruit of many hours of practice but great fun once mastered.

Taupō Croquet Club

The Taupō Croquet Club interclub team recently played the third round of competition at Whakatāne. Having won our first two rounds we unfortunately lost 10-6. We had a very good day though, the weather was beautiful, our opposition, who were also our hosts, were exceptionally welcoming and friendly and their lawns were, to say the least, challenging. Very fast and accurate which is something we are not used to here in Taupō.

Two of our members played other competitions away from home. Martin Bond played in the finals of the CNZ, BOP Don Reyland Stars and, although coming fourth, three of his games went to 13 hoops. (Akin to advantage in tennis). Martin had not played croquet for some months due to major surgery on his shoulder which makes his achievement even more laudable.

Peter Fage won the Arthur Ross BOP final at Tauranga against stiff competition, and will now be playing in the CNZ final in Dannevirke in mid-March.

The club recently hosted a group of 15 members from Rebus, who spent an enjoyable morning trying their hand...