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24th Croquet Festival Shines in the Sun

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Westmorland are Crowned 2018 Festival Champions (North West Federation Festival of Croquet 23/24 June 2018)

2018 Festival Westmorland Festival Champions

A wonderful croquet weekend under blue skies, but despite a cooling breeze,  sun cream was still the order of the day for players as the 24th North West Federation Festival of Croquet took place in sunny Southport over the weekend of 23/24 June 2018.  Displaying a kaleidoscope of colours, about 100 players attended on each day, representing ten clubs from all over the North West – especially welcome were the team from Stonyhurst College, making their debut at this unique tournament.

The lawns were in excellent condition thanks to the weeks of work by Don Williamson and Terry Dunbar who prepared 17 beautiful Courts.  The infamous North Lawns played well and are now even envied by some clubs.  The catering team, led by Margaret Flemington once again excelled.  Early each morning, Southport members turned out in force, to ensure hoops, chairs, balls, pegs, coffee, etc. were all ready for the visitors.  Thank you Southport.

The Festival needs a fair bit of complex planning to ensure we have two days of croquet action – thanks to Liz Wilson for all the administration and a big thank you to Abdul Ahmad, who made a welcome return to Southport to manage the Festival with great efficiency.

The tournament enabled players of all abilities to participate and standard of play ranged from sheer brilliance to the ‘must practice more’ standard, but played in a great sporting atmosphere where advice and help was freely given but fierce competition was still evident.

In the Advanced Doubles, Fylde Croquet Club, once again took the title beating Bowdon in a final knock out match.

In the 18 Point Handicap, Bury emerged as the victors winning four of their six matches, closely followed by Westmorland and Chester.

The Short Croquet honours went to Chester winning five of their six matches and just edging ahead of Bowdon by a few games.

In the Golf Croquet event, Crake Valley were clear winners being victorious in eight of their nine matches, followed by Llanfairfechan and Westmorland.

The final twist to an excellent competition came when all the scores were suitably weighted and compared, the overall champions by a very slim margin were declared as Westmorland.

So we look forward to 2019 when this wonderful event will celebrate its Silver Jubilee – yes next year will be the 25th Festival – a very special event where all players will be requested to wear something Silver intertwined with their normal Festival colours.  See you back at Southport in June 2019?

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North West Sending Two Players to National Croquet Final

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Phil Nuttall and Libby Dixon Take North West Hopes to Wrest Park

Manager Peter wilson (centre) with Phil Nuttall and Libby Dixon
Phil Nutall

Phil Nuttall (Bury) won the regional heat of the national Association Croquet Handicap tournament 5/5.  Libby Dixon (Pendle) was runner up 4/5.  Both now will go to Wrest Park for the final in two weeks.

The tournament was a real test of all round skill.  Scorching Sunshine for the first three games with players working hard on hydration and shade.  This was followed by two games in constant drizzle on Sunday with players seeking shelter and towels.

Both finalists had kind words to say about the tournament organisation, lawns and catering.

Phil triggered down to handicap 16 automatically, Libby will continue to the final at 18.

Libby Dixon

 

John Henderson Wins Fylde Croquet Again

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John Henderson – Fylde Handicap Winner

JOHN HENDERSON WON THE FYLDE CC JUBILEE HANDICAP TROPHY  (29/30 July 2017) 

 In the fifth and final round Betty Bates played Marjorie Eldon and Joe Lennon played John Henderson. If Joe could win a fifth game he would win outright but the other three were all in with a shout as the three way tie break would need invoking if he did not.  Marjorie was playing well and had been peeling yesterday. She  beat Betty who was also on great form. Her change of stance and grip has paid dividends. 

Things then became very tense and exciting for the spectators. John (Peg/Rover) had a chance to run Rover with a jump shot which failed. Joe (Peg/6) stepped on the lawn with only a couple of minutes to play and hit in. Then playing with his usual speed and efficiency which he had demonstrated through the preceding four rounds he got round to have a longish chance at running Rover himself. 

It would have been interesting to see how the golden point play would have panned out from there had he got through. Some suggested pegging oppo and self out leaving a two ball ending with both for Rover. Others said simply join up. The three way tie break was resolved using the sum of the beaten opponents scores. It was very close, John 11, Joe & Marjorie 10. 

Many returning players filled the tournament. Special mentions for Joe Lennon for being at every one since it started on 2012. Ken Jones for being ROT. John Henderson for returning to defend the trophy. Philip Bass our lawns man extraordinaire. Dave Williamson for his first visit. Eileens Rossiter and Gallagher and The Huddersfield Flight Crew  of Rena Souten, Denise Hoyle and Marjorie Eldon (They turn up together looking very smart wheeling small flight bags) for continuing to support our tournament. Not forgetting our club players Alan Morton and Betty Bates for their participation and the tidying up each day. 

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