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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.
Pendle August Handicap Tournament – 14th to 16th August 2015
The eight of ten entrants, playing on the Friday, did not let their spirits become dampened by the rain. Though the lawns flooded and play was postponed, Pendle’s chairman, Roger Schofield organised an alternative croquet doubles match, which was played on the croquet carpet in the local community centre. At around four o’clock, the ever vigilant manager had spotted that lawn four and maybe one other was playable, and the tournament began in earnest with three games able to be played.
The tournament was intended to be an Egyptian, with secondary trophies for the best low and high bisquers who were not the winner. Because of the rain delays, the tournament was changed to a high bisquer’s trophy (10+ H/c) and a low bisquer’s trophy (9 and less) with an Egyptian running at the same time across all games played. There was also a fastest game trophy.
The Saturday and Sunday provided perfect croquet conditions which were enjoyed by all ten competitors. In the low bisque block, Ken Jones (Edgbaston) won three out of four, as did Garry Wilson (Pendle), but as Ken had beaten Garry, he took the trophy. In the high bisque block the man to beat was David Lloyd (Crake). David remained unbeaten in the block and took the trophy, with Nathan Baker (Fylde) a worthy runner up.
With two blocks of five, there were a number of inter block games which added a little spice to the Egyptian competition. The winner of the Egyptian was David Lloyd, who is having an excellent first year of competitive croquet and has again reduced his handicap, having been unbeaten throughout the tournament. Winning was not easy for David, but he came through as victor in some very, very close games. Nathan came a very creditable second equal with Ken. Sadly, the manager came in fourth.
David Gillett, a Pendle country member, living in the south of England, took the fastest game trophy with a 63 minute demolition of his opponent in only two turns.
Despite the first day rain, it was an excellent tournament, with memorable games and a lot of fun! Until next year….
Nathan Baker Retained The Jubilee Trophy at Fylde (25/26 July 2015) by Peter Wilson
The fourth running of our AC Handicap tournament. As always, the general tenor of the event was friendly competition. Suitable for those playing in their first tournament or experienced players alike. Saturday evening games saw the two leaders paired and the current holder, Nathan, beat David leaving a pack of six on two wins close behind him. As I write this on Sunday 11:13 in the comfort of the Manager’s salon, the promised rain has arrived and probably the reason Joe has not taken a bisque, suggesting Barry have a rare turn around the court. Barry declines the break but prefers to extract a bisque. The strict Swiss format means that if Catherine, Denise or Joe win their game they may face Nathan in the last round. Joe is playing Nathan and if he wins they will both have 4/5. David could also get to 4/5 if he beats Gareth in the last round. The tie break is Sonneborn – Berger system, so everyone will need to finish before the tie can be resolved. 3pm and the sky is clear now and many clips have advanced here and there. David is runner up on 4/5 and Nathan is powering through to another 5/5 at Fylde.
Our Chairman Martin Bradshaw presented the trophy to him for the second year in a row.
Athlitikes Personae: 1. Barry Keen, Bowdon 2. Eileen Rossiter, Southport 3. Eileen Galagher, Southport 4. Catherine Bass, Fylde 5. Philip Bass, Fylde 6. Nathan Baker, Fylde 7. Gareth Edwards, Chester 8. David Lloyd, Westmoreland 9. Joe Lennon, Glasgow 10. Rena Souten, Huddersfield 11. Marjorie Eldon, Huddersfield 12. Denise Hoyle, Huddersfield