North West Federation of Croquet Clubs - for everything Croquet in the north west
Pods for A and B Class Players
Matt Holmes will be running four Coaching sessions for A and B Class players at Coronation Park, Bury. (Whitehead Park may be used itv lawns suitable).
Start time – 6pm till dusk.
Tue 10th May – Second Break
Tue 7th June – Peeling and Lining Up
Tue 21st June – Straight Peels
Tue 19th July – 4 Back Peel Decision Making
The Croquet Coaching Pods are Back
These CA formulated pods will recommence in May. The aim is to have one session a month until daylight starts to dwindle, so provided there is enough interest these are the planned dates.
A reminder that these sessions are provided for CA members who are playing Advanced rules or will be very shortly.
Sessions will start at 5.30pm until light permits. Latecomers will still be welcome but they should advise beforehand to ensure the running of the event can be worked around there time.
BURY Tues 12th May – Improving 4 Ball breaks
BURY Tues 16th June – Executing good lift leaves
BURY Tues 7th July – Pegging out opposition towards the end of a game
BURY Tues 4th August – Straight peeling
All events at the Bury Coronation Park lawns.
Those who haven’t yet registered for local coaching pods can do so on the CA website in the members area.
Robert Essler wins the John Beech Easter Handicap Weekend
On home turf Robert Essler won the John Beech Memorial Easter Handicap Weekend at Pendle and Craven Croquet Club. In recent years the weekend has also incorporated an Advanced event: the Peter Dowdall Cup.
When you enter this event you never know quite what weather to expect. Good Friday and Saturday saw cloud and cold temperatures but not anywhere near previous years freezing levels and the last two days had brightened up. Monday saw some sunbathing. Many pink faces were leaving for home. There was the usual convivial atmosphere as has been the norm for this event aided by good food, a smattering of Easter Eggs, simnel cake and 3 different hand-pumped ales from brewer Matt.
Lawns were well prepared and looked handsome. However before the sun appeared on day 3 they were quite heavy with water that hadn’t drained well from the weeks rain prior and some holes in trainers meant changes of socks for those with spares….Hoops were still in firm clay ground though and set to the normal Rigge standard (not technically legal for Handicap but inevitable given the combined nature of play) and there were of course a few complaints of stuck balls.
8 competitors played in both the Egyptian Handicap and the Advanced all play all. Plus there were 4 others who only played in the Handicap. Handicaps ranged from -1 to 16. By the end of play on Monday p.m. two players tied in the Egyptian on the same score: Robert Essler, a longstanding Pendle and Craven member, and Richard Forman, a relative newcomer to the game from Huddersfield Club. Both achieved a CA Bronze Award during the tournament, the latter following his recent attendance to a CA Bronze Coaching Event – what a perfect advert. On the basis of ‘who beat who’ Essler took the John Beech Handicap Trophy. Forman showed great enthusiasm and promise and is one to watch out for in the future. Jim Allcock from Crake Valley also achieved his Bronze Award.
In the Advanced, things went pretty much with ranking, and also went to a Pendle member. No TP’s achieved – a handful attempted and failed – but this was mainly down to the defensive nature of leaves by the two minus players. Matt Holmes won all of his games and with some handicap game wins triggered to -1.5. Andy Brandwood from Bury played solidly and maintains improving form, triggering to 2.5.
Matt Holmes 7/7; Andy Brandwood 5/7; Paul Rigge 4/7; Roger Schofield 4/7; Robert Essler 3/7; Roger Staples 3/7; Terry Vernazza 2/7; Barbara Young 2/7.
Nearly everyone leaves this Pendle weekend with something:
Fastest game: Paul Rigge (48 mins);
Most games: Matt Holmes (14);
Over 10hcp Cup: Richard Forman;
Under 10Hcp Cup: Roger Staples;
Peter Dowdall Advanced Trophy: Matt Holmes 7/7;
John Beech Handicap winner: Robert Essler;
Bookmark this event next year for a thoroughly enjoyable weekend.