Chester hosts successful Short Croquet Tournament (15 May 2016)

Eight enthusiastic players ( two each from Bowdon, Bury, Craig-y-Don and Chester Croquet Clubs) opted to compete for the Millennium Short trophy rather than run the Chester Half Marathon and were rewarded with glorious weather and closely contested matches on manicured Chester lawns. The Swiss format produced a steady first round but by lunch the field began to spread. Like so many Olympic 1500m finals, it was the third lap which proved decisive. Emulating Herb Elliott in Rome in 1960, Brian Walton of Chester ( fortified by his lunchtime chilli con carne) made the decisive break beating Anne Alvey of Bury to move into a clear lead.

Any hopes of Brian fading against the low handicapped Roger Edwards of Craig-y-don on the last lap, were quickly dispelled as he powered to a fourth successive win to take the trophy. Chris Alvey restored the family fortunes by winning his last match against Jayne Taylor of Chester in a ” dip finish” to snatch the silver.

All in all a very enjoyable day in which the winner and the runner up were rewarded with a bottle of the world famous Chester Sloping Lawn claret of which the 2016 vintage is especially prized amongst connoisseurs.

Many thanks to all for the friendly and enjoyable atmosphere.