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Southport Runners Up in Longman Croquet Cup Final

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Southport Challenged in Longman Cup Final

Southport receiving Longman Runners Up Tankard from Quiller Barrett (President of CA). From l to r: Brian Lewis, Carol Lewis, Quiller Barrett, Alan Farrell, Tony Thomas
Southport receiving Longman Runners Up Tankard from Quiller Barrett (President of CA).
From l to r: Brian Lewis, Carol Lewis, Quiller Barrett, Alan Farrell, Tony Thomas

The Southport team of Carol Lewis, Tony Thomas, Brian Lewis and Alan Farrell, turned out in determined mood for the Longman Cup in Surbiton.  In glorious weather, Southport fielded their squad on some of the best lawns in the country in the Semi-Finals against the pride of Midlands croquet – Nottingham.  This proved to be a tough match with every game hard fought.  In a closely played doubles game, Carol and Brian Lewis just lost out to a very good Nottingham pair, whilst on the other lawn, Alan Farrell played with amazing skill for the first Southport win of the match.  Tony Thomas felt the full power of the opposition, falling behind early, to thankfully claw his way back into the game to give Southport another win by plus one on time.  Lunchtime score Nottingham 1 Southport 2.  In the afternoon singles games, Brian Lewis failed to contain his Nottingham opponent as the sides drew level 2-2.  But Tony Thomas had a good win to restore Southport’s lead at 3-2.  The remaining singles games were nail biting affairs with players giving their all and no one could sustain any advantage.  But with time running out, Alan Farrell achieved the critical break out to produce the vital win.  Meanwhile Carol Lewis with almost the last turn of her game came from behind to secure another glorious victory.  Final score a flattering 5-2 win for Southport against excellent opponents, putting Southport into the Longman Cup final.

With high hopes Southport took to the lawns again on Sunday to play Woking in the final.  Woking surprised Southport with their strength and skilled play, being a team of experience and rising stars.  Despite Southport playing good croquet, the talent of the Southerners showed.  With Tony facing an opponent with over eleven bisques, Carol and Brian facing a strong doubles pair, only Alan Farrell could salvage a win in the morning session and Woking secured a 2-1 lunchtime lead.  Southport discussed tactics over lunch and felt the match could still be turned around. But this was not to be, as Woking turned up the pressure in the afternoon with formidable croquet, which Southport could not counter and failed to secure a further win.  Final score: Woking 6 Southport 1 – a deserved win for a superb Woking team. A big disappointment to Southport but there was still the pride of reaching a national final, and receiving a trophy for being runners up.

Picture shows the Southport team receiving the runners up Longman trophy.  From left to right – Brian Lewis, Carol Lewis, Quiller Barrett (President of the Croquet Association), Alan Farrell and Tony Thomas.

 

 

Southport Croquet Plate Blown to Middlesborough

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Phil Scarr Wins Southport Advanced Tournament 14/15 Sep 13

Phil Scarr0001Sixteen players, including five locals, assembled for the Southport Advanced Tournament.  At stake – the Sandiford Plate; above – the roar of the Southport Air Show; ahead – some excellent croquet battles; the forecast – wonderful first day weather to be followed by gale force winds and torrential rain on the second day.

Despite the spectacle of the Red Arrows, Spitfires, Lancaster Bomber, Typhoon, all performing acrobatics in the sky, players from Hurlingham, Fylde, Bowdon, Crake, Tyneside, and Middlesborough played a good standard of croquet on excellent lawns, including a spectacular straight quadruple by Dave Nick.  Mindful of the worsening weather forecast, play continued until 8pm and in the gathering gloom two players emerged top of the leader board – Phil Scarr (Middlesborough) and Mark Ormerod (Hurlingham).  Phil Scar hitting in and winning a game by the light of the clubhouse security lamp.

Sunday dawned wet and windy to the news that the second day of the Air Show had been cancelled due to the worsening weather and our leaders made a very early start to grab any advantage the weather situation could provide.  By lunchtime, in torrential rain, Phil emerged as the tournament winner.  Presentation made over lunch, all lawns cleared by the players and the lawns were left to the seagulls and ducks as everyone hurriedly departed in the howling gales.

2013 Liz Wilson Red Arrows

 

 

 

Two Chester Croquet Players Going to All England Final

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The All England Handicap northern area finals was held at Chester over the weekend, 31 August and 1 September.

Participants in the northern area final of the All England Championship at Chester
Participants in the northern area final of the All England Championship at Chester

This was the first time Chester Croquet Club has hosted the event. Eight participants from five clubs took part in the competition with each playing four games over the two days. The lawns were in good condition but there was a chilly autumn breeze for much of the time and several of the particpants found it difficult to adjust to the noticeable slope of Chester’s lawns. The two finalists were David Boyd and John Dawson, both from Chester.  In their final match David Boyd pegged out with 26 points against 14 by John Dawson. Over the two days, David Boyd and John Dawson both won three of their four games but John Dawson managed a net win of 34 hoops against 24 hoops by David Boyd.  As a result both players go forward to the national finals at Colchester over the weekend of 21 and 22 September.  The competition was managed by Janet Davies and the chairman of the club, David Guyton, presented the winning trophy to David Boyd.

David Boyd (left) receiving the winning trophy from the Chairman of Chester Croquet Club, David Guyton (right)
David Boyd (left) receiving the winning trophy from the Chairman of Chester Croquet Club, David Guyton (right)

 

Participants:
Bowdon:  Alison Court and Anne Whalley.
Bury:  Richard Harvey and Graham Good.
Chester: David Boyd and John Dawson.
Fylde: Alan Morton.
Pendle: Garry Wilson

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Webmaster – Chris Alvey (webmaster@croquetnw.co.uk)