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Bronze Course at Chester

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Flying Circus Goes Bronze in Chester by Janet Davies and Paul Rigge (23/05/10)

An excellent bronze level training day on Sunday 23rd May at Chester.  Lead Coach, Paul Rigge (Bury), assisted by Ken Cooper and Barry Keen (Bowdon), provided insights into the game for the benefit of a group of 10 students (handicap 14-20) from Chester and Bowdon. In brilliant sunshine, amidst the idyllic surroundings of Westminster Park, a most valuable day ensued as they battled dehydration on the lawns. They particularly appreciated Paul’s appropriation of his refrigerator door for use as a magnetic board.  A very effective demonstration of the application of lateral thinking to croquet problems.  A good enjoyable day was had by all.

Successful Millennium Handicap at Chester

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Millenium Handicap at Chester (15/16 May 10)

Chester Croquet Club hosted the annual North West Millennium Handicap Tournament in Westminster Park. This was the fourth time the event has been held in Chester. Eighteen players from six North West clubs – Bowdon, Bury, Chester, Fylde, Pendle & Craven, and Southport – took part in the competition. Each participant played three three-hour full lawn matches on Saturday followed by two three-hour matches on Sunday. With a 9.30 am start on both days, this makes it quite a gruelling event particularly for those having to travel some distance to Chester. In contrast to heavy rain and blustery winds in previous years, this year’s tournament enjoyed good playing conditions and mostly sunny weather though for much of the time there was a distinctly chilly westerly breeze.

The overall winner of the competition was Matt Holmes of Bury who succeeded in winning all five of his games. Two others managed to win four of their five games and the runner up was determined on points with second place going to David Holland of Bowdon. The losing finalist was David Boyd of Chester.

The event was organised by the Secretary of Chester Croquet Club, Janet Davies, another member of the club, Elmyr Hughes, managed the competition over the two days. David Guyton, the Chairman of Chester Croquet Club, thanked all the participants and members of the club who helped with the catering and organising the event and presented trophies to the winner and runner up at the end of the tournament on Sunday afternoon.

     MillHcp10_Players

   Matt Holmes winner of Millennium Handicap at Chester 2010     MillHcp10_RunnerUp

MillHcp10_DerekBellJones     MillHcp10_SimonWolf     MillHcp10_ElmyrHughes     MillHcp10_MattHolmes     MillHcp10_JohnD     MillHcp10_DavidBoyd     MillHcp10_HelenPickford

MillHcp10_BettyBates     MillHcp10_BarryMcKenzie     MillHcp10_AlanClare     MillHcp10_TerryVernazza     MillHcp10_SteveReynolds     MillHcp10_TonyPhillips

 

Tip Top Flying Circus at Pendle

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Flying Circus in tip top form at Pendle by Peter Wilson (15/05/10)

Ian Lines demonstrating a triple peel
Ian Lines demonstrating a triple peel

Players from Pendle were treated to a visit from the Flying Circus for a Gold Course. The lawns looked wonderful on arrival, newly lined and mowed, thanks to Robert. The course was run by Ken Cooper from Bowdon and if this was not enough, he was accompanied by International player Ian Lines (playing off minus two and a half and with well over four hundred competitive triple peels under his belt).

The course started on the lawns by looking at modern openings being used in A class play and the theory of the nuances behind them. One of these included a promotional cannon. This was followed by a discussion regarding 4-back leaves. The OSL, NSL, & MSL were all looked at in depth and in particular what to do should the lift be missed. After lunch, we concentrated on the TP. We did this by working backwards from the Rover peel and every opportunity to complete it that arises. The Penult peel and the 4-back peel were also considered in turn.

We split up and were given the chance to do it ourselves. Oh how easy it was for all of us with Ken and Ian whispering in our ears!  This wonderful day ended with a look into some top level thinking behind a typical three ball ending. We all chipped in with ideas but we seldom got the ‘right’ answer, what a marvellous insight into the game. The students presented the Flying Circus with Pendle Mug & Pen sets and an apple for each teacher. We are very lucky in the NW Federation to have the Flying Circus. It is working very hard this year putting on courses for all handicaps and disciplines. It was a fantastic day.

The following day, Ian & Ken went to Bowdon to give a Silver Gilt Course to 8 of their members.

Ian Lines demonstrates peeling
Ian Lines demonstrates peeling

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