Matt Holmes Wins the Southport April Advanced Jubilee Tankard
A very competitive field entered the Southport Advanced tournament, including international players James Hopgood and David Walters, renowned croquet author James Hawkins, mallet maker Alan Pidcock, international squad members Gabrielle Higgins and Matt Holmes. Despite a mixture of wind, sunshine and drizzly rain, an entertaining mix of croquet was served up, however, the local knowledge of the Southport guys, Brian Kerr, Ray Low and Alan Pidcock was not enough to get them onto the honours board, whilst the renowned Jerry Guest played his 750th different tournament opponent of his long croquet career.
The new catering arrangements at Southport worked well, especially with fortification from the new brew recently developed by Matt Holmes – the Southport Leave – a crisp golden ale with a touch of elderflower and refreshing taste.
The final was a tense affair between the Bury Brewer, Matt Holmes and the Quarryman, Dave Nick. In a match that gave winning opportunities to both players, Matt Holmes finally took advantage to claim the Jubilee Tankard. The plate was won by James Hawkins who also managed the event with efficiency and friendliness.
Knockout Results:
James Hopgood bt Liz Wilson +26TP; Mark Lloyd bt Alan Pidcock +22; Brian Storey bt Peter Wilson +1; Matt Holmes bt Brian Kerr +15; David Walters bt Derek Knight +21TP; James Hawkins bt Jerry Guest +18; Dave Nick bt Andy Brandwood +19; Gabrielle Higgins bt Ray Lowe +6;
Hopgood bt Lloyd +19; Holmes bt Storey +3; Walters bt Hawkins +4; Nick bt Higgins +14;
Holmes bt Hopgood -17 +17 +15; Nick bt Walters -11OTP +18 +4;
Holmes bt Nick +18;
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