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Bucket Shots of Croquet – from the Pod

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First Croquet Coaching Pod at Bury

North West Fed members from Chester, Fylde and Bury met at Coronation Park for the first Croquet Coaching Pod, instigated by Ian Burridge and run by Matt Holmes.  The subject for the first pod was “croquet shots you should have in your repertoire!”  Tasks involved:
* rolling off hoop one from corner one;
* approaching hoop 2 from corner two with a subsequent rush to hoop 3;
* a corner cannon from corner 3 approaching hoop 3 and sending a pioneer down to hoop4;
* a penult peel sending the peelee down to rover;
* a final task was a jump/ drag shot to run rover whilst dragging through the “stuck” pelee.

Twelve members turned up.  This was a well run session and grateful thanks go to Matt.

The next session is on Thursday 21st August and will cover the subject of openings

Liz Wilson

Fourth Cup for Storey and Four Croquet Clips to Nick

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The Cumbria Cup – 7/8 June 2014 at Crake Valley

Brian Storey being presented with the Cumbria Cup by Crake Chairman Tom Griffiths
Brian Storey being presented with the Cumbria Cup by Crake Chairman Tom Griffiths

12 good men and true (well actually 11 and a lady!) turned out to compete for the Cumbria Cup.

Dave Nick with his own Clip and three peeled ones.
Dave Nick with his own Clip and three peeled ones.

The lawns were looking much better than last year thanks to the hard work of Jim Allcock and helpers.  Saturday was very wet but the Crake Valley lawns held up well following the drainage work and no play was lost.  Regulars were joined by Richard Way from The Bear of Rodborough club who was on his way “OOP North” and had no idea what he was letting himself in for.  Double banking with me he was trying to understand my opponent’s strategy (Dave Nick!) as he peeled me through hoop 2.  “Why is he doing that?”  was the question – “Because he can was the reply”.  Inevitably the extra challenge was to get all four clips on his shirt!  (See picture!) .

Ray Lowe (who was deselected from the Lancashire Counties team this year) took out three of the four 2014 Lancashire team in attendance as a demonstration of his ability beating Paul Rigge, Peter Wilson and Dave Nick to reach the final.  The other finalist was defending champion Brian Storey who beat Jim Allcock, Tom Griffith and Bob Burnett.

The best of three final was settled in two straight victories by Brian Storey who retained the trophy for the fourth year!  The Swiss was won by Dave Nick.  A commendable performance by Bob Burnett who won 4/5 should be noted.  The weather of Sunday was delightful and the food excellent.

Brian Storey Wins Crake Advanced Croquet Tournament

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Brian Storey won the Leven & Crake Valley Advanced Croquet Weekend

Brian Storey won the Cumbria Cup, beating Tom Griffith in the final +20, +3.

Sixteen competitors met for the usual well managed and hosted weekend at Crake Valley Croquet Club on a gloriously hot and sunny weekend. In a first round upset, Peter Moore from Nottingham beat Dave Nick with the other rounds going with handicap. In round two Peter Moore continued his wining streak beating Peter Wardle +1T. Other winners in the quarter finals were Lee Hartley, Tom Griffiths, and Brian Storey. By semi-final time four competitors were playing in bare feet and most were showing a quantity of bare flesh. Tom Griffith took on Peter Moore and Brian Storey played Lee Hartley. Both Tom and Brian were on cracking form and won their matches easily setting up a best-of-three final for the Sunday. An excellent and hearty meal for 20 followed on the Saturday night with a fiendish anagram quiz to entertain.

Sunday dawned equally sunny with the first game of the final being won easily by Brian Storey +20. The second game, however, entertained for hours with Brian coming out the eventual winner +3, giving him a 2 – 0 win and the Cumbria Cup.

The plate was tied between Ray Lowe and Alan Pidcock and was settled by a shoot out at the peg which was won (eventually) by Alan. Well done to Dave Nick and the Crake Club for hosting a splendid event and well done to Brian Storey for his win.

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