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Four Clips and a Croquet Trophy for James Death

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The Cavendish Clock Advanced A/C Tournament, Crake Croquet Club, 15/16 August 2020

Play started at 9.30am on 15 August in warm weather and no sign of rain. The players handicaps ranged from 4 to -2 and were from the South Coast, Bristol, Nottingham and from our own Federation.

The first-round games were all remarkably close, with a surprise win for Robert Wilkinson over Paul Rigge 26-25. In the following matches James Death started to show his skill by winning all his matches and completing three triple peels over the weekend. Paul Rigge and Robert Wilkinson both completed triple peels and the overall level of play by all the players was excellent.

Robert Wilkinson lining up a peg out

The last match of the weekend was between James Death and Paul Rigge giving the watching players a real treat. Paul started very strongly taking one ball to four back, then after a short period of tactical play, James started his turn and peeled Paul’s ball with his own ball and pegged both out. 

In the process he peeled both of his opponents balls as well as one of his own ending with him holding all four clips.

James Death wearing his four clips

The match then turned into a one ball match with both players providing everyone with an exhibition of outstanding play. Eventually James took control and finished the winner.

As the only player to win all his matches James was declared the winner and was presented with Cavendish Clock.

James Death

Stuart Smith Wins Colourful Tournament at Pendle.

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The Kate Jones Tournament 24/26th Aug at Pendle CC

Stuart Smith with the Kate Jones Trophy

August Bank Holiday, the CA’s GC Second Eight Tournament.
One local, two from the midlands and five from the ‘south’ met over the scorching long weekend at our club to contest the ‘Kate Jones’. Format was all play all, with each round being a best of three 13 point games.

After all Seven rounds were completed, the top four played in a KO, Bo3 Semi, and B03 Final. The four non qualifiers played in the Plate event – 19 point single game KO (by consensus with the involved players).

The club looked magnificent, with bunting draped along the hut gutters and along the rain shelters. Hanging flower baskets (supplied by Jan), also mounted on the hut & sheds. Lawn markers and bright white lines denoting the four full size courts (& a half size laid out for members use). The Friday mow was redone on Sunday evening after play (by one of the attending players, since a viable club member ran off when the mower was bought out – you know who you are!).

Many thanks are due to Abdul, Jan, Karen, Libby & Paul R for their work in hosting this Major Event, and Stephen Leonard for the Sunday mow.

Stuart M Smith beat Tim King for the title & Stephen Custance-Baker took the Plate.

First Tournament Win for Peter Williams

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The Carol Lewis Memorial Weekend – Southport 18/19 May 2019

Peter Williams (Southport) receives the Carol Lewis Trophy from Club President Alan Pidcock

Twelve players representing clubs from Middlesbrough, Crake Valley, Fylde, Bury, Pendle, Cheltenham and Southport arrived to start play at 9.30am. Although the forecasted rain did not materialise, the cold wind made some of those in shorts regret their decision. The afternoons on both days were much warmer.

Handicaps were from -1 to 22 providing an interesting mix of skills. Play started in blocks of four with the block winners and the highest scoring other players going through to the finals on the Sunday.

The block winners were Paul Rigge (-1), Gail Moors (18), with Brian Shorney (7) and Peter Williams (22) as the highest scoring players. During the block matches Paul completed a quadruple peel on his way to the semi finals.

In the semi finals Paul beat Brian whilst Peter beat Gail after a hard but even match leaving Paul and Peter to play in the final.

In the final Peter used his bisque advantage with effect, resulting in a 26-13 win and the trophy for the Southport player. He has now had his handicap reduced to 18 to reflect his play over the weekend.

My thanks go to the players and to Don Williamson, John Haslam, Ray Lowe and Paul Rigge for the help they gave me in managing my first tournament.

Jim Allcock

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