ANNUAL CROATIAN Buće TOURNAMENT 2013

What a spectacular day!

Auckland turned on the weather.  84 seasoned professionals turned up to play.  100+ supporters came to cheer on their favourites.  It was a day that reminded us all why we love this club.

The games started out with a few of the "old guard" questioning why the games were not being played "their way".  The younger players were questioning why they were playing.  After  the first round teams were quickly anxious to play their next game and utilise their phenomenal newfound Buće skills.

The competition was tight.  7 groups of 4 with only the top two teams progressing to the next round. There was also a wildcard which was very appropriately won buy our ladies team and crowd favourite "Dalmatinke"(Ivana Matkovic, Anika Vuksich and Teodora Antunovich).  5 of the 7 teams to progress only did it based on points difference.

The top teams then fought it out and the end result was a final between team "Bonkie" (father and sons team of Nikola, Peter and Steven Bonkovich) and team "Tri Kralja" (Ivan Slavic, Stipe Nuic and Marko Nuic). 

The dream final was a very appropriate end to the day.  A team consisting of a father and his sons and the other with Dida, Son-n-law and grandson.  It was an epic battle from the outset with Tri Kralja taking the early advantage and leading for the first 6 ends.  Team Bonkie persevered and won the game 12-8.  A huge congratulations to both teams and also to third place winners "Trio Gust" (Goran Katich, Mladen Goricki and Nick Suvalko).

It is obvious the tournament will become a highlight of the annual calendar and this would not have been possible without the never ending generosity of VUKSICH & BORICH.  The new Bucaliste is a great new asset for the club.  Vuksich and Borich with the help of a small number of dedicated members made this all happen without costing the club a single cent.  The Croatian Club sends a huge thank you to Vuksich & Borich.

We would also like to thank Fly Adriatic for their sponsorship, Placemakers Cook street, Johnstone Construction, the ladies in the kitchen, the men in the bar and all the others who made this day possible.

Come and play on our new bucaliste, practice your skills and see you next year!