Chris Alvey — Page 100 — Croquet in the North West

Eileen Gallagher wins Southport Jubilee Handicap

30 May 2010 by Chris Alvey

Eileen Gallagher Wins Southport Jubilee Handicap by Tony Thomas (30/05/10)

Eileen Gallagher receives the Jubilee Tankard from Southport Vice President, Don Williamson

Spring Bank Holiday in Southport means another Handicap Tournament (for the Jubilee Tankard) and weather to wonder at. This year was a two day event rather than the traditional three days. Waterproofs were the order of the first day, with continual rain throughout – yet the lawns remained playable all day. Come day two and the sun shone brilliantly giving us a glorious sunny Southport day.

Tony Thomas receives the Runners Up prize from Don Williamson

Sixteen players battled through five rounds of a Swiss event over the two days, very well managed by Barry Keen. Eileen Gallagher (Southport) emerged victorious winning all five games, beating Peter Hallett (Bowdon) in a close game. She wins the Jubilee Tankard and a handicaop reduction from 14 to 12. Tony Thomas (Southport) won the runner-up prize with four wins and a handicap reduction from 6 to 5. An enjoyable event, supported as always by excellent catering, no wonder there are requests to return to the three day format next year.

Successful Millennium Handicap at Chester

16 May 2010 by Chris Alvey

Millenium Handicap at Chester (15/16 May 10)

Chester Croquet Club hosted the annual North West Millennium Handicap Tournament in Westminster Park. This was the fourth time the event has been held in Chester. Eighteen players from six North West clubs – Bowdon, Bury, Chester, Fylde, Pendle & Craven, and Southport – took part in the competition. Each participant played three three-hour full lawn matches on Saturday followed by two three-hour matches on Sunday. With a 9.30 am start on both days, this makes it quite a gruelling event particularly for those having to travel some distance to Chester. In contrast to heavy rain and blustery winds in previous years, this year’s tournament enjoyed good playing conditions and mostly sunny weather though for much of the time there was a distinctly chilly westerly breeze.

The overall winner of the competition was Matt Holmes of Bury who succeeded in winning all five of his games. Two others managed to win four of their five games and the runner up was determined on points with second place going to David Holland of Bowdon. The losing finalist was David Boyd of Chester.

The event was organised by the Secretary of Chester Croquet Club, Janet Davies, another member of the club, Elmyr Hughes, managed the competition over the two days. David Guyton, the Chairman of Chester Croquet Club, thanked all the participants and members of the club who helped with the catering and organising the event and presented trophies to the winner and runner up at the end of the tournament on Sunday afternoon.