Matt Holmes Retains the Southport Advanced Jubilee Tankard
Entrants from Middlesborough, Manchester, Chester, Hull and Cheltenham plus a few local players entered the first Southport Open Croquet competition of 2015 in Victoria Park last weekend. The lawns looked resplendent for this stage of the season and played very well despite the efforts of the wind and rain to disturb players concentration. Sun cream was required on both days – to protect against the sun on Saturday and to waterproof the skin against the rain on Sunday.
Local players Carol Lewis, Alan Pidcock and Brian Kerr fared well but could not match the sublime skills of the brewer from Bury – Matt Holmes. Matt won this trophy last year and has continued his development, now being a member of the Great Britain development squad.
In an exciting final, Matt defeated Phil Scarr from Middslesborough. Matt thanked the club for organising a superb tournament with excellent management and catering. As always Southports pricing offers wonderful value – £7.50 per day inclusive of two course meal, afternoon tea and coffee/tea/biscuits all day.
Following this success at Southport, Matt Holmes has now reached a satisfactory grade as an International Player Development Squad Graduate to now be admitted to the GB training squad. In order to retain this place over the next few years Matt must keep improving until holding a World class grade.