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Wet but still worth going to Pendle Croquet

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Pendle June Advanced Weekend – 10th/11th June 2017

Manager Paul Rigge presents overall winner Jonathan Lamb with the David Openshaw Jug

Eleven players enjoyed single banking on the croquet courts at Earby, but Saturday proved to be a bit damp – very damp – by lunch, Lawn 3 becoming unplayable due to standing water and on resumption Lawn 4 succumbing in a similar vein by tea – so double banking on lawns 1, 2 & 5 kept the workload flowing.  Sunday stayed bright and dry with all lawns back in service.

Good, plentiful food on both days – a trademark of Pendle events – as is the craic. A real fun event to attend.

Results:
Overall Winner for the David Openshaw Jug – Jonathan Lamb
‘A’ Class Winner for the Chris Clark Bowl – Adrian Kirby
‘B’ Class Winner for the Jeremy Dyer Bowl – Peter Wilson

Five Croquet Courts for Five Winners

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Easter Celebrations at Pendle  (John Beech Memorial Tournament 14-17 April 2017)

Pendle at Easter – It really doesn’t matter when this Croquet event falls, the Earby weather always helps to test croquet players in varied conditions: cold, warm, wet or windy, pick your day and/or combination. Only 13 entries this year dipped in and out of the four day event, even the manager was part time this year!

Because of the low numbers entered, it was a huge treat to play all croquet rounds across the five superb courts as single banked – no mucking about with markers required.

Catering of course was well up to this club’s very high standards (although this reporter was upset to miss out on Fridays home made Hot Cross Buns).

OK, back to the croquet, by Monday we had winners for all the various trophies available:

John Beech Handicap Trophy – Roger Staples
Peter Dowdall Cup (adv) – defended by David Walters.
Under 10 Handicap Trophy – Andy Brandwood
10 & Over Handicap Trophy – Joe Lennon
Fastest Game – Betty Bates (54mins Vs R Essler)

Thanks to David Walters for publishing the games on Croquetscores (https://croquetscores.com/2017/ac/john-beech-memorial).

Manager Paul Rigge presents the John Beech Handicap Trophy to Roger Staples.
Manager Paul Rigge presents the Peter Dowdall Cup to David Walters.
Manager Paul Rigge presents the Fastest Game Trophy to Betty Bates.
Manager Paul Rigge presents the 10 Plus Handicap Trophy to Joe Lennon.

Update to the Successful Handicap Meeting

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Federation Handicap Meeting – Saturday 25 March

The Federation’s workshop on Handicapping was well attended at Bury with about two dozen Club Handicappers & Team Captains making an appearance to discuss the various changes made by the CA for the coming season and to reinforce the need to accurately maintain our cards . The meeting had four CA Handicappers present to field all the raised issues & questions, led by Don Williamson from the CA Committee. 

Here is a more detailed report from the Federation Secretary, David Walters:

NW Fed Handicap Workshop, 25/3/17 at Bury Croquet Club
Leader: Don Williamson

The Purpose of Handicaps is to provide a level playing field to allow 2 players to have an equal chance of winning. Weaker player gets extra turns.

Automatic Handicapping System provided by CA. Relies on players keeping cards accurately. Requires at least 10 competitive games play per season. Wins increase index, losses decrease index. Trigger points cause handicap to change.

Do all NW Fed Clubs have Club Handicappers for both AC & GC? Please check both NW & CA website are correct.

Club Handicappers should review all cards at least once a year.

Limits on who can make what changes on CA website.

AHS doesn’t cope with rapid improvements- hence need for intervention by Handicapper.

Appeals – Club Handicapper can’t over rule CA Handicapper’s change. Ideally there should be communication between Handicappers re rationale. Should there be an appeals process within Federation? Final arbiter is CA Handicap Committee.

Drift within small pools. Tendency for handicaps to increase should be offset by comparison against players from other clubs / federations.

Setting Initial Handicaps – Don’t default to highest available Handicap. Should use tests laid out on CA website to assess initial handicaps for both AC & GC. Make this part of Introductory Course / on joining / before first competitive game.

Competitive Games vs Social Play. All organised games under CA rules should be recorded on cards.

Do all clubs display the CA poster on how to complete a handicap card? Do all clubs display an up to date list of handicaps?

Index should not decrease below the minimum points (850 AC full lawn, 30 AC Short, 900 GC)

Returning Players – after a break, players should use their old handicap unless medical reasons. If so, a CA Handicapper should be consulted re appropriate change.

Short Croquet – League Rule changes – full bisque play. There is a correlation between full lawn and Short. If full lawn handicap decreases, them short lawn handicap should decrease.

Handicap Changes should be recorded on cards & reported to CA Office. Changes take effect at the end of the day, or at the end of an event held over consecutive days.

Sources
CA Website

Guide for Club Handicappers
https://www.croquet.org.uk/?p=games/golf/handicapping/ClubHandicappers

 

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