NW MILLENNIUM SHORT AC EVENT 2019 – Hosted by Fylde CC, 11 May 2019. Report by Peter Wilson and Sarah Andrew.
Teams of two from Fylde, Llanfairfechan, Bury and Bowdon gathered in the Sunshine for the tournament. However a chill wind from the North forced many to don extra layers covering their resplendent team colours. Two blocks of four separated the players by clubs and play progressed rapidly through the three rounds and a welcome hot lunch break. There was a bonus point (for tie breaking), awarded for pegging out but, after round three, no ties existed. Tony Philips (Bury) and James Thomas (Llanfairfechan) both remained unbeaten and contested a final game while others watched with afternoon tea or played a Swiss.
The final was won by newcomer James in two fine breaks which extended his long unbeaten run of games and earned another handicap reduction to 5 after the tournament.
The Federation Secretary, Liz Wilson, presented the trophy and thanked both the individuals and clubs for supporting the Federation and Fylde by taking part in this event. James thanked the organisers, Fylde Croquet Club, for an excellent day and lunch.
This was the first external tournament James has entered – he is a student of Computer Science with the Open University and only started learning AC 11 months ago. James is a member of both Llanfairfechan and Chester Croquet Clubs and will have to decide which club to represent at the Federation Festival at Southport in June – perhaps he will choose which colour (purple of Chester or Brown of Llanfairfechan) is the more stylish!