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Paul Rigge Awarded a CA Diploma

8 September 2021 by Chris Alvey

Paul Rigge (l) being awarded the CA Diploma by Angharrad Walters (r) Federation Secretary.

Paul Rigge (aka Riggy) Chair of the North west Federation has been awarded a well deserved Diploma by the Croquet Association, for his massive contributions to Croquet.

Paul started his croquet some 24 years ago at Bury Croquet Club.  In 2002 he was involved in setting up the facility at Heaton Park in Manchester and in 2010 was on the team that organised the MacRobertson Shield there, being instrumental in getting television coverage of the event.  In fact he has been a television and radio presence representing the North West Croquet Scene on several occasions. 

He is larger than life character and has had a very positive effect on croquet in the North West in the last 10 years. In 2012 Paul became Secretary of the Federation and served a three year term.  Since 2016 he has been the  Federation Coaching Officer.  His coaching is second to none for beginners, improvers and at an advanced level.  Together with another player he ran the “Advanced Pods” at Bury.  He is willing to travel anywhere to deliver his help and advice to the Federation members.  

In 2017 Paul also volunteered to Chair the Federation, a post he also still holds at present.  In 2019 he visited Stoneyhurst College and helped establish a new croquet club at the school, which is now a member of the Federation. He has constructed and maintained the websites for both Bury and now Pendle.  For many years he has been Team Co-ordinator for the Lancashire team at the Counties.  

He has recently become a very active member of Pendle Croquet Club and despite the Covid crisis has co-ordinated and run no less than 6 competitions in 2020.  10 more competitions are scheduled at Pendle this year – all motivated and co-ordinated by Paul.  

He is active on the Tournament scene representing the North West countrywide.  He works hard for the sport both on and off the lawns.

2021, Croquet Association, Federation, News

Pride of North West – Phil and Ged – Top Honours in All England AC Hcp

6 September 2021 by CA Website

AC All England Final at Sidmouth 4/5 September 2021 by Peter Nelson

Philip Snowdon (Fylde) receiving the Trevor Williams Troph

Sidmouth courts were looking at their best in late summer sunshine on Saturday 4th September and play commenced promptly at 09.30. The tournament was played as a Swiss with games timed at 2 hours 45 minutes.

Due to some administrative confusion after the regional finals, nine players travelled to the final instead of the eight expected! After consultation with the tournament director it was agreed that all nine should play and the manager co-opted a Sidmouth player (Ed Dolphin) to play, making a viable tournament without players having “byes”. It was also agreed that as Ed Dolphin had not played in preliminary rounds he would not be entitled to receive the Trevor Williams Trophy should he win the event. It was fortunate that this was clarified beforehand as he won all his five games! The increased entry required a third court to be provided and we are grateful to the Sidmouth members who cancelled their games and thus enabled the event to proceed.

When the final round was played the event was still in doubt provided Ed Dolphin’s winning streak came to an end. This almost happened as his game against Philip Snowden finished level and had to be decided on a golden hoop, which went in Dolphin’s favour. As he was not entitled to the Trophy the runner-up had to be determined from 4 players each with 3 wins. No clear result was possible on the basis of who beat whom and the positions were based on net points gained. This resulted in Philip Snowden being the runner -up with Ged Smolskas in third place. Philip Snowden was thus awarded the Trevor Williams Trophy with his home club Fylde receiving the New Zealand Tray. This was a fitting result as Snowden was only denied being outright winner by losing his final game to a golden hoop.

PLAYERS CLUB HANDICAP WINS IN FINAL

Philip Snowden Fylde 14 3
Ged Smolskas Bury 12 3
Collin Wrest Park 0 3
Cliff Hunter Surbiton 8 3
Tim Brewer Wrest Park 3 2
John Coutts Rother Valley 6 2
Richard Leach Bury 16 2
Ian Wills Kington Langley 9 1
Margaret Murray Kington Langley 11 1
Ed Dolphin* Sidmouth 12 5

2021, Croquet Association, News

Fed Players Involved in Inter Counties Golf Croquet Championship Win

28 August 2021 by David Cornes

Inter Counties GC Shield – Cheltenham – 21/22 August


Division 2 of the Inter Counties GC Shield was played at Cheltenham over the weekend of 21st and 22nd August and a CA “Select” team included North West players David Cornes (Crake Valley) and Jack Good (Bowdon) along with Michael Bilton (Gainsborough), Charles Sale (Ealing) and Eleanor Ross (Edgbaston).

The format was all play all with a doubles and 6 singles games against each County. After 7 games the Select had won 6 of them to win the tournament on the day.  

During discussions during the weekend we found out that Eleanor is also eligible to play for Lancashire (along with David and Jack) so there seems a strong case to enter a team from the region in 2022 when it is held in Sussex.

From the CA Website:

Inter-County GC division 2 Championship 2021
by Ivor Brand at Cheltenham 25th August (GC – Championships)

Justice was done in more ways than one!!!

I will explain myself firstly with reference to last year’s final positions and the disappointment of the lack of promotion due to ‘Covid’ reasons. Fortunately, despite three teams having equal wins it was the same two counties that again qualified for promotion, albeit they could only be separated on who beat who, phew!!!

GC Inter-County Championship Division 2 MatchesTestsGamesHoops
WinsLossesDrawsWinsLossesForAgainstNet
CA Select610321728223547
Hertfordshire520311829024842
Oxfordshire520311828724839
Buckinghamshire520292027924732
Devon3402326267280-13
Gloucestershire3401930250264-14
Leicestershire1601633229295-66
Berkshire0701534224291-67

However, at this point I must explain my second point of justice, which was that the CA select team (my tip for winning by the way) finished at the top of the table and were recognised as deserved champions, despite not being able to be promoted as they were not a ‘county’ as the tournament conditions dictate. Congratulations to Michael Biliton who led his team of experience (Charles Sale & David Cornes) and youth (Jack Good & Ellie Ross) to victory.

I look forward to seeing ‘most’ of you again next year at ‘sunny’ Southwick where at least Oxfordshire will not be able to keep me from the pub by playing on till 8pm on the Saturday!!!

2021, Croquet Association, News

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