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Pendle Chair Wins Pendle B (NEW PICS ADDED)

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2019 – Robert Essler presents the Pendle B Level trophy to Andrew Webb (left)

On the weekend of National Croquet Day (12th May), Pendle hosted a tournament where players came from far & wide not only to give any potential visitors something to watch, but to contest the trophy in their own right – many of whom only play in leagues as part of a team, so it was interesting, since any error would cost them dearly.

2019 Contenders in the Pendle B Level Tournament

The event invited entries from B and C level players, however all entrants were B level. The weekend was bathed in bright sunshine and blessed with clear blue sky. 

After a 5 round swizz, three players finished on 4/5, but on who-beat-who; Member and Pendle Chair, Andrew Webb was the winner.

2019 Pendle B Level – “Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?” (compare with other pics!)


Round 1:
R Essler beat Ian Hall +21; A Webb beat Lorna Dewar +1T; T Vernazzi beat P Dowdall +14; R Schofield beat J Wilson +12; R Saunders-Robertson beat S Skelton +12.
Round 2:
I Hall beat P Dowdall +16; R Essler beat T Vernazzi +14; R Schofield beat Lorna Dewar +8; S Skelton beat J Wilson +11; R Saunders-Robertson beat A Webb +6T.
Round 3:
A Webb beat J Wilson +25; R Schofield beat T Vernazzi +1T; R Essler beat R Saunders-Robertson +23; I Hall beat S Skelton +12; L Dewar beat P Dowdall +26.
Round 4:
R Essler beat R Schofield +14; P Dowdall beat J Wilson +19; L Dewar beat T Vernazzi +15; R Saunders-Robertson beat I Hall +6; A Webb beat S Skelton +8.
Round 5:
A Webb beat R Essler +8; L Dewar beat I Hall +12; R Schofield beat R Saunders-Robertson +11; T Vernazzi beat J Wilson +10; S Skelton beat P Dowdall +1T

Croquet Newcomer Wins Regional Event

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NW MILLENNIUM SHORT AC EVENT 2019 – Hosted by Fylde CC, 11 May 2019. Report by Peter Wilson and Sarah Andrew.

James Thomas (Llanfairfechan) receives the Winners trophy from Federation Treasurer LizWilson (Photo provided by Sarah Andrew)

Teams of two from Fylde, Llanfairfechan, Bury and Bowdon gathered in the Sunshine for the tournament. However a chill wind from the North forced many to don extra layers covering their resplendent team colours. Two blocks of four separated the players by clubs and play progressed rapidly through the three rounds and a welcome hot lunch break. There was a bonus point (for tie breaking), awarded for pegging out but, after round three, no ties existed. Tony Philips (Bury) and James Thomas (Llanfairfechan) both remained unbeaten and contested a final game while others watched with afternoon tea or played a Swiss.

The final was won by newcomer James in two fine breaks which extended his long unbeaten run of games and earned another handicap reduction to 5 after the tournament.

James Thomas in play at Fylde (photo: Liz Wilson)

The Federation Secretary, Liz Wilson, presented the trophy and thanked both the individuals and clubs for supporting the Federation and Fylde by taking part in this event.  James thanked the organisers, Fylde Croquet Club, for an excellent day and lunch. 

This was the first external tournament James has entered – he is a student of Computer Science with the Open University and only started learning AC 11 months ago. James is a member of both Llanfairfechan and Chester Croquet Clubs and will have to decide which club to represent at the Federation Festival at Southport in June – perhaps he will choose which colour (purple of Chester or Brown of Llanfairfechan) is the more stylish!

Richard Smith Wins Southport Tankard

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Richard Smith, winner of the 2019 Southport Advanced Jubilee Tankard

A field of nine entries became a paltry seven before a ball had been struck, with two dropping out on Saturday morning, predicting Southport’s surface would be flooded and unplayable due to heavy overnight rain. They were wrong! The work commissioned last autumn on improving drainage has paid huge dividends, even the manager expected to spend the first day of the weekend tournament sheltering inside the clubs historic hut, but no, play started promptly on timeat 9:30 – now in a all-play-all untimed single banked round robin.

Yes, I won’t mislead, some players wore multiple layers and waterproofs – others didn’t, conditions weren’t that bad really.

Food was provided by Margaret Flemington on the first day & Diana Williamson on the second – both hit the spot. Huge thanks to both. Ground and courts were established by Don Williamson, Peter Dunbar & Ray Lowe – again, thanks from me to them for their separate days efforts. 

As Day two (in sunshine) unfurled, a three way tie for the ‘Jubilee Tankard’ looked possible, but Richard Smith didn’t falter and took the pewter mug, winning all six rounds overcoming some serious challenges.

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