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Crake Win Double Croquet Success

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North West Federation League Play-Offs 2021

On Sunday 26th September 2021 Crake Valley completed a memorable double league success.

The team of Neil Adams, Jim Allcock, John Henderson and Steve Skelton took on Chester in the AC Weekend Handicap league play-off, hosted at the neutral Fylde Club. Crake started the morning in good form by winning two of the three early games. Jim and John played Robin Tasker and Paul Watson, winning the doubles and Neil won in his match against Brian Walton. Steve had a much harder match against an Sally Slater with a 13.5 bisques advantage, narrowly losingh by 1.

After lunch in the singles Jim and John both played well beating Brian and Paul with Steve having a long battle against Robin, finally winning on time. Neil played Sally with a 11 bisque disadvantage and struggled as Sally played well to win by 22. With Crake players each winning a singles match and with the doubles win the final result was a win of 5-2.

Crake AC Hcp Team of Neil Adams, Jim Allcock, John Henderson and Steve Skelton

On the day before, the GC Handicap team of Roger Coates (12), Sandra Cornes (6), Simon Robins (7) and Frank Sharps (5) took on a strong Southport side led by Terry Dunbar at Crake Valley, in the GC League Play-off. The 2 doubles games were shared but Crake managed to win 3 of the first 4 singles to take a lead of 4-2 mid morning.

2021 GC Play Offs – Mike Armstrong, Bryan Roberts, Tina Kelly, Terry Dunbar, Frank Sharps, Roger Coates, Simon Robins, Sandra Cornes and David Cornes

Thereafter the games were fairly evenly shared with the scores 6-4 at lunch and 8.5 to 6.5 going into the last round of games. Simon and Roger held their nerve to complete the necessary wins needed to ensure a final scoreline of Crake Valley 10.5 and Southport 7.5. Crake Valley retained the shield they won when last contested in 2019.

Crake GC Hcp team of Frank Sharps, Roger Coates, Simon Robins, Sandra Cornes, David Cornes

A mention should also be made of father and daughter, Frank Sharps and Sandra Cornes who finished 4th and 3rd respectively in the National C level finals in the Isle of Wight, the weekend earlier. John Armer (Crake & Westmorland) also qualified for the finals finishing a credible mid table position. 

David Cornes in National GC B Level Final

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David Cornes (Crake Valley) represented the north west in the GC B level National Finals at Compton (Eastbourne) recently. Although hindered by an ongoing ankle injury David managed to win 9 out of 16 games. This total was only bettered by 2 players including Tony McCann (Croquet Durham) who deservedly won the title with 13 wins.

Following his return home David has received a diagnosis that his ankle tendons are damaged and he has to use crutches to get around. This means he had to withdraw from the recent NW Fed level play and also the forthcoming prestigious CA “Ascot Cup” finals tournament in Hunstanton – a big blow after qualifying against the odds. Good luck to our other NW player at the Ascot – Jack Good.

David Cornes playing at Compton

Fed Players Involved in Inter Counties Golf Croquet Championship Win

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Inter Counties GC Shield – Cheltenham – 21/22 August


Division 2 of the Inter Counties GC Shield was played at Cheltenham over the weekend of 21st and 22nd August and a CA “Select” team included North West players David Cornes (Crake Valley) and Jack Good (Bowdon) along with Michael Bilton (Gainsborough), Charles Sale (Ealing) and Eleanor Ross (Edgbaston).

The format was all play all with a doubles and 6 singles games against each County. After 7 games the Select had won 6 of them to win the tournament on the day.  

During discussions during the weekend we found out that Eleanor is also eligible to play for Lancashire (along with David and Jack) so there seems a strong case to enter a team from the region in 2022 when it is held in Sussex.

From the CA Website:

Inter-County GC division 2 Championship 2021
by Ivor Brand at Cheltenham 25th August (GC – Championships)

Justice was done in more ways than one!!!

I will explain myself firstly with reference to last year’s final positions and the disappointment of the lack of promotion due to ‘Covid’ reasons. Fortunately, despite three teams having equal wins it was the same two counties that again qualified for promotion, albeit they could only be separated on who beat who, phew!!!

GC Inter-County Championship Division 2 MatchesTestsGamesHoops
WinsLossesDrawsWinsLossesForAgainstNet
CA Select610321728223547
Hertfordshire520311829024842
Oxfordshire520311828724839
Buckinghamshire520292027924732
Devon3402326267280-13
Gloucestershire3401930250264-14
Leicestershire1601633229295-66
Berkshire0701534224291-67

However, at this point I must explain my second point of justice, which was that the CA select team (my tip for winning by the way) finished at the top of the table and were recognised as deserved champions, despite not being able to be promoted as they were not a ‘county’ as the tournament conditions dictate. Congratulations to Michael Biliton who led his team of experience (Charles Sale & David Cornes) and youth (Jack Good & Ellie Ross) to victory.

I look forward to seeing ‘most’ of you again next year at ‘sunny’ Southwick where at least Oxfordshire will not be able to keep me from the pub by playing on till 8pm on the Saturday!!!

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