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Close Close to the Croquet Federation Season

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GC Millenium Level Play Tournament – Fylde 6th October 2018

Federation Chairman Paul Rigge presents Libby Dixon with the Millenium LPG Trophy

Golf Croquet players descended upon Fylde Croquet Club to play the final tournament of the 2018 season – the missing ‘GC Millennium Level Play’. Fittingly after the summer we’ve had the single day event was played in bright sunshine with unbroken blue sky.

Format was all-play-all, 19 point single games which led (despite the official hoop order being stated on the Tournament Notice Board) to some very interesting routes used to play the required 10points!

Handicaps of the Players, ranged from 2 to 12, some playing in their very first tournament at all – just what and why the Federation holds these events for.  Fabulous to see and be a part of, plenty of Fylde Members came down to watch and support, a very good day was had by those who attended – thank you Fylde!

The manager’s worst nightmare unfolded during the final round with three combatants all conspiring to finish on four wins each and each, having their single loss shared between them, so who beat whom didn’t help… to the rescue came ‘Net Hoops’; David Cornes and Frank Sharpes couldn’t even be split with them but thankfully, Libby Dixon was clear by a one hoop differentiator ahead of them both, so Libby is the 2018 NW Champion. Phew……

Fylde Croquet Courts

 

Crake Valley Making a National Splash

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Crake Valley Players in National Finals
 
Players in the National Final at Hunstanton. David Cornes is first left on back row.
 
Crake Valley recently had 2 representatives playing in National Finals – After finishing 4th in the Northern Regional GC Final in August David Cornes had a late call up to play in the National GC Handicap Finals at Hunstanton on 22/23rd September. There where 14 finalists in a 2 day “all play all” format. David managed to win 7 out of his 13 matches and finished a very credible 8th position. A tremendous achievement with the highlight being a 7-4 victory against the runaway Champion Simon Carter (-3).
 
On the same weekend Sandra Cornes played in the C level finals in Nottingham – there were 16 finalists with Sandra being the highest handicapper in the field.  Despite this disadvantage Sandra still managed 3 wins so avoided finishing bottom. Given the short time Sandra has been playing to get to the finals and to win some games is a massive achievement.
 
Crake also has David Lloyd playing in the B levels finals this coming weekend at Camerton & Peasedown.
 
 

Another Croquet Trophy from the East

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Tina Kelly Wins the York Short Croquet Tournament – 22/23 September 2018

Tina Kelly (right) receiving the York Short Croquet Trophy from 2017 Winner, Debbie James (left)

A gang of eight north west Croquet players from Southport went over the Pennines looking for trophies.  They did battle in York and made their escape with Tina Kelly holding aloft the York Short Croquet Trophy. 

The York Short Croquet Tournament is brilliant – 24 players, double banked on six short lawns, 70 minute games with centralised timing and played over ten rounds of croquet.  A recipe for chaos? far from it!  Expertly managed by John Harris and David Hudson, the event is fast moving, exciting, competitive, friendly and fun – a perfect end of season croquet weekend – especially when provided with a sumptuous array of delicious cakes, courtesy of York members.

The Short Handicaps ranged from scratch to ten, with players travelling from as far afield as Dorset and included Callum Johnson (winner in 2016) and Debbie James (2017 winner).  There was some excellent croquet on display (especially from Callum), many all round 3 ball breaks and players running between shots as they realised time was running out.

Southport players, ready for action (?) as they leave the hotel (photo Kath Thomas)

However, it was Tina Kelly from Southport (Handicap 10) who played calm, steady croquet, throughout – doing the basic stuff well and managing her bisques in a very practical manner.  Round ten proved decisive with several players still in contention, however, Tina came from behind to secure a narrow victory with minutes to spare.  

Tina came in first, unbeaten throughout the weekend and one point ahead of Callum, with Pauline Rooney (also from Southport) in third place.

All that was left was to smile for the group photo, enjoy another cake and make a note for next year – 21/22 September 2019.

Group photo of players taking part in 2018 York Short Croquet tournament. (photo: Kath Thomas).

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Webmaster – Tony Thomas (tony@croquetnw.co.uk)