North West Federation of Croquet Clubs - for everything Croquet in the north west
Bowdon B Level 17/18 September 2016
Adam Swinton of Bowdon beat Dennis Scarr of Middlesbrough in the final to take the Sheila Black Salver for the first time.
The Egyptian winner was Caroline Denny of The Bears.
See Bowdon website for more details
North of England Championship Unfinished by Ian Lines
David Maugham and James Hopgood were unable to complete their match and are tied at 2-games-all in the final of the North of England Championship. The fifth and deciding game will be played at the President’s Cup at Ramsgate (8th – 11th September) or the South of England Championship at Compton (23rd – 25th September).
In the final of the Plate Knockout, Dave Kibble beat David Goacher.
Results from the North of England Championship by Ian Lines at Bowdon 29 Aug 2016
A full field of 22 contested the North of England Championship, including several first timers at Bowdon, such as Jose Riva who flew in specially from Madrid to add an international flavour. The overall entry was pretty strong, with 16 players having handicaps of -1 or better. There were few surprises in the main event knockout, though Joel Taylor had a good win against Chris Williams, and Debbie Lines got through against David Walters, who had to withdraw following a wrist sprain. Despite the fine weather throughout, the tournament always looked in some danger of not finishing, although Ian Lines beating David Goacher with two +26tps did at least ensure that the best-of-five semis could start on Sunday morning as planned. The most entertaining game was probably Jose’s +1otp against Debbie, where Jose’s excellent shooting proved decisive.
In the first semi, David Maugham was clearly too good for Ian Lines, who was lucky to take a game in the best-of-five. In the other semi, Jose Riva didn’t play as well as he had earlier in the tournament, and James Hopgood won 3-1. The final started at 9.30am on Monday, and it looked at 6pm as though David would win 3-1 after completing a tpo, but David was slightly hampered after 3-back and missed a 5 yarder, leaving James a 16 yard shot at a double, which he duly hit and finished from hoop 2 to level the match. James then had to leave to catch a plane (the manager had agreed this when accepting his entry) and it has been agreed that the final game will be played at the South of England Championship.
In the plate, the most remarkable performance was by Alison Girdlestone (handicap 2.5) who had a string of five consecutive wins, including her first tournament triple (gaining a CA gold merit award) and wins against James Hawkins (-1) and Dave Kibble (-1.5). Alison later went on to record her best ever win by beating Ian Lines (-2) by +6, after Ian only made one error breaking down on a triple. Alison’s handicap was duly reduced to 1. The final of the plate was contested between David Goacher and Dave Kibble, which Dave Kibble eventually won +16 after a good attempt at a sextuple.
Many thanks to Bowdon for hosting this great event and to all those involved in preparing the lawns and providing all the excellent catering. Thank you also to Barry Keen and Colin Irwin for setting all the hoops – all very well set to 1/32″ – and a little tighter for the semis and final.
MAIN EVENT
Preliminary Round (best of 3):
Jose Riva beat Charles Harding +26tp, +17
David Maugham beat Jerry Guest +19tp, +20
Debbie Lines beat Mike Sandler +24, +17
Peter Taylor beat Alison Girdlestone +14, +24
David Walters beat Francois Garcia +5, +23
Colin Irwin beat Avril Rangoni-Machiavelli +17, -15, +16
First Round (best of 3)
Ian Lines beat Sam Murray +11tp, -21, +16
Joel Taylor beat Chris Williams +16, -16, +4
James Hopgood beat James Hawkins +10, +9
Debbie Lines beat David Walters -16, +16, w/o
David Maugham beat Colin Irwin +26qp, +26tp
Dave Kibble beat Phillip Scarr +18, -15, +5tp
David Goacher beat Richard H Smith -23, +14, +24tp
Jose Riva beat Peter Taylor +20tp, +18
Quarter Finals (best of 5)
James Hopgood beat Joel Taylor +10, +25tp
Jose Riva beat Debbie Lines +26qp, +1otp
David Maugham beat Dave Kibble +20tp, +26tp
Ian Lines beat David Goacher +26tp, -18, +26tp
Semi Finals (best of 5)
James Hopgood beat Jose Riva +12tpo, -26tp, +24tp, +16tp
David Maugham beat Ian Lines +13tp, -16tp, +20tp, +18
Final (best of 5)
David Maugham in play v James Hopgood -15tp, +14, +16tp, -5otp
CONSOLATION PLATE
Charles Harding beat Hawkins +7; Joel Taylor beat Richard H Smith +24; Peter Taylor beat Alison Girdlestone +14; Debbie Lines beat Charles Harding +25; Sam Murray beat Jerry Guest +16; Phillip Scarr beat Francois Garcia +20; Peter Taylor beat Joel Taylor +23; Jose Jerry Guest +9; Alison Girdlestone beat Mike Sandler +5; James Hawkins beat Francois Garcia +10; Jerry Guest beat Mike Sandler +4; Sam Murray beat Chris Williams +14; James Hawkins beat Charles Harding +25tp; Alison Girdlestone beat Avril Rangoni-Machiavelli +16tp; Jerry Guest beat Francois Garcia +16; Colin Irwin beat Mike Sandler +4; Chris Williams beat Peter Taylor +20; Phillip Scarr beat Sam Murray +4tp; Mike Sandler beat Peter Taylor +15; Debbie Lines beat Colin Irwin +25tp; James Hawkins beat Joel Taylor +7; James Hopgood beat Chris Williams +17tp; Richard Smith beat Charles Harding +1(t); Alison Girdlestone beat Francois Garcia +1(t); Jose Riva beat Phillip Scarr +17; Sam Murray beat Dave Kibble +17tp; Peter Taylor beat Joel Taylor +17; Alison Girdlestone beat James Hawkins +12; Dave Kibble beat Chris Williams +8; Sam Murray beat David Goacher +10; Debbie Lines beat Phillip Scarr +18; Richard H Smith beat Colin Irwin +3(t); Charles Harding beat Avril Rangoni-Machiavelli +1(t); Chris Williams beat James Hawkins +26; Joel Taylor beat Francois Garcia +26tp ; Peter Taylor beat Jerry Guest +26; Alison Girdlestone beat Dave Kibble +19; David Goacher beat Phillip Scarr +24tp; Sam Murray beat Richard H Smith +5; Colin Irwin beat Charles Harding +12; Chris Williams beat Jerry Guest +15; James Hawkins beat Debbie Lines +6; Chris Williams beat Richard H Smith +25; David Goacher beat Charles Harding +23tp; Phillip Scarr beat Peter Taylor +15; Joel Taylor beat Alison Girdlestone +4; Dave Kibble beat Francois Garcia +18tp; Dave Kibble beat James Hawkins +2tpo; Sam Murray beat Colin Irwin +9; Jerry Guest beat Avril Rangoni-Machiavelli +5; Francois Garcia beat Charles Harding +1(t); Phillip Scarr beat James; Riva beat Debbie Lines +19; Alison Girdlestone beat Ian Lines +6.
Quarter Finals of Plate: Ian Lines beat Alison Girdlestone +26; Jose Riva beat Chris Williams +18tp; Dave Kibble beat Sam Murray +7tp; David Goacher beat Debbie Lines +12tpo.
Semi Finals of Plate: Dave Kibble beat Ian Lines +18; David Goacher beat Jose Riva +3tp.
Final of Plate: Dave Kibble beat David Goacher +16
54 games in main event (1 more to play)
60 games in plate
SUMMARY
David Maugham (-2.5) 11/14 1qp, 8tps, 1otp
James Hopgood (-2) 10/13 6tps, 1tpo
Jose Riva (-1.5) 10/14 1qp, 4tps
David Goacher (-1.5) 7/12 4tps, 1tpo
Ian Lines (-2) 6/13 4tps
David Walters (-2) 3/4
Chris Williams (-2) 5/11
Phillip Scarr (-1) 5/10 1tp
Dave Kibble (-1.5) 8/13 3tps, 1tpo
Joel Taylor (-1) 5/11 1tp
Debbie Lines (-1) 6/12 1tp, 1otp
Sam Murray (-1) 6/11 1tp
Richard H Smith (-1) 3/8
Peter Taylor (-1) 6/11
James Hawkins (-1) 4/10 1tp
Colin Irwin (-1.5) 4/10
Francois Garcia (3) 1/9
Alison Girdlestone (2.5) 6/11 1tp
Mike Sandler (3.5) 1/6
Jerry Guest (2.5) 4/9
Charles Harding (3) 2/10
Avril Rangoni-Machiavelli (3) 1/6
2016 Festival of Croquet 25-26 June 2016
The North West Federation of Croquet Clubs held its annual Inter-Club Championship at Southport & Birkdale Croquet Club on 25-26 June.
The festival is one of the UK’s largest gatherings of croquet players, with 75 people in play throughout. It comprises four events for different disciplines and different levels of experience within the sport, and Fylde won the trophy for overall victors.
Fylde had won the Handicap Singles event, and their pair of Peter Wilson and Lee Hartley beat the highly-ranked Bowdon team in the final of the Advanced Doubles. Respectable results in the other events gave them enough points to edge the main title, and nudge Bowdon down into runner-up position.
Bowdon took some consolation from an unbeaten performance in the Short Croquet, with their squad winning every match in the block stage and the later playoffs.
The Golf Croquet event produced a welcome victory for Culcheth. The club have been regular stalwarts of the Golf event but this is the first time they’ve earned the title since 2006, which they did with some solid and consistent play.
Paul Rigge from Bury tells us about that brilliant display from James Hawkins:
“Innings of the weekend must be given to the manager, James Hawkins, who responded to much barracking from the gallery by playing a ridiculous third turn break on the front court.
State of the game; Advanced AC rules. Pendle won the toss & elected to play.
T1 Green to east boundary just north of H4,
T2 White shoots..and misses. Replaced 1’ north of green.
T3 Brown runs H1 from A baulk directly south of it to cheers from gallery. Shoots at white some 23yds away..hits to cheers & applause. Stops white a little into field while giving rush on green to H2. Rushes Green to H2..applause. Stops green north east of hoop while holding position. Runs H2 giving rush back to white..applause. Rushes back and stops green to H4 giving rush on white to H3. Break under full control by H3. James holds easy 3BB together to 4b and quits under control, leaving 3 ducks for partner south east H2 (3 ducks – all balls in diagonal line) with a big smile to loud cheering and applause from the spectators…..”
Time to say Thank You (Tony Thomas on behalf of Federation)
How did the management do?
Well the Festival seemed to run iteself! However, we all know this only happens when the event is expertly planned in advance and managed on the day quietly and efficiently. Thank you to James Hawkins, ably assisted by John Haslam, not forgetting Sue Hardman and Jean Hargeaves on the day.
How did the North Lawns Play?
In brief, better than ever. The days of the infamous cage and criticisms are becoming a distant memory as each year these lawns improve in quality. The time and effort needed to get this result was very much appreciated by players. Many thanks to David Key, Don Williamson and Terry Durrance.
How did the kitchen perform?
For only £8 players received tea/coffee/biscuits all day long, afternoon tea and a magnificent two course lunch. Once again Margaret Flemington and her team of helpers surpassed themselves – catering magnifique.!
Was it ready in time?
Of course it was, well done and thank you to the gangs of helpers from Southport who arrived before everyone else to get hoops, balls, flags, pegs, chairs, gazebos, etc. in position before 9am.
Here is a Gallery of Photographs. If you would like to add any, please send them to Tony Thomas at photos@www.croquetnw.co.uk
Pressing any photograph takes you to a navigable window of larger images.
Press here to see the Festival on the South Lawns on SaturdayPress here to see how the Seagulls viewed us
Thank you to Brian Kerr for the above videos.
Teams entered:
Advanced – Bowdon; Bury; Crake; Fylde; Pendle; Southport.
Handicap – Bowdon; Bury; Chester; Crake; Fylde; Southport.
Short – Bowdon; Bury; Chester; Fylde; Pendle; Southport.
Golf – Bowdon; Bury; Chester; Craig-y-Don; Culcheth; Ellesmere; Fylde; Llanfairfechan; Pendle; Southport.