North West Federation of Croquet Clubs - for everything Croquet in the north west
All England Handicap Regional Final 5/6 September 2015
The All England Association Handicap Croquet regional final was held at Pendle on 5/6 September 2015. The event was managed by Federation chairman Garry Wilson.
The winner was Nathan Blake from Fylde and runner-up John Henderson of Penrith & North Lakes. Both players go onto the national final to be held at Chester on 19/20 September. The North West Federation wishes them every success in the next stage.
Mrs Wilson won the Pendle Rose Bowl
Nineteen players entered the Pendle Midweek tournament competing for the various trophies at Pendle from 7 to 10 July. Pendle’s fifth lawn which suffered damage several years ago was back and playing very well, but after such a lay off there was found to be a corner peg missing. The weather changed from chilly to scorching as the tournament progressed. As usual there were visitors from far and wide especially this year when Phil Bateman and Sally Harper arrived from Australia. The general tenor of the event was as always relaxed and fairly flexible.
Results:
The Pendle Rose Bowl (Open Singles Advanced) Liz Wilson.
The David Jenkinson Tankard (Singles Advanced) Ian Hall.
Pennine Trophy (Open Singles Handicap) Ian Hall.
The David Hoyle Trophy (Singles Handicap) David Lloyd.
The Irish Cup (Egyptian Highest Rating) Ian Hall.
The Woodlands Trophy (Handicap Doubles) Peter Hallett and Peter Wilson.
And in addition to those:
The Egyptian Cup (Fastest Singles Win) Peter Wilson 56’4”.
The Addict (Most Games) Joe Lennon.
Manager: Liz Wilson.
NWFCC MILLENNIUM SHORT CROQUET 2015 (Sponsored by Aspire-TS, Newcastle Upon Tyne).
The tournament was a one day individual singles short lawn event held on Saturday 30th May 2015 the games limited to 75 Minutes base 4.
The emphasis on a friendly competition with players wearing their Federation Colours. In addition to Fylde’s entries, clubs sent players from Bowdon, Bury, Chester, Penrith and Westmorland. The general tenor of the event is friendly competition and suitable for newcomers to tournaments but also the experienced players may feel at home here. The weather cool and Sunny, the food warm and homely.
Following on from a three round block eliminator, in the semi finals, last years runner up Mike Miller from Chester beat Bowdon’s John Lucas and David Lloyd from Westmorland beat the experienced Chris Evans from Bowdon.
With the spectators in place enjoying their afternoon teas the final started and Mike soon took a chance to get his first ball to the peg. The game took an exciting turn when David responded with a great break and pegged Mike’s first ball out of the game. And so, much to the interest of those watching, the cat and mouse started, David established a three point lead. Then with sharp tactical awareness took a chance to enter a two ball end game. Now with his back to the wall and time running out Mike made the shot of the day with a fourteen yard roll to hoop two which he then ran to the boundary leaving a rush to hoop three which he also made. He managed to get to ten feet in front of hoop four, if he could run this he would be level and, with being in play, have the advantage, but it was a big ask and in missing the shot retained the runners up trophy for a second year.
A good result for David in his first year. His play is improving rapidly, he looks the part and we look forward to seeing him back next year to defend the trophy.