Croquet in the North West

North West Federation of Croquet Clubs - for everything Croquet in the north west

You are here: Home / Archives for Millenniums

Neil Adams Wins Short Croquet Millenium

by

North West Federation Short AC Millenium Competition
Saturday 29 August 2020 at Crake Valley Croquet Club

2020 Federation Short AC Millenium Players at Crake Valley

The bank holiday was a busy time for croquet at Crake Valley. On Saturday 29 August, twelve croquet players from six clubs in the north west played the North West Federation’s Short Lawn AC Millennium Competition.

After 3 group matches, there was only one player with 3 wins and seven with 2 wins so hoop difference was important. In the Semi finals Barbara Young (Bury) overcame John Henderson (Penrith) 12-8 and Neil Adams (Westmorland) beat Ian Theakstone (Fylde) 14-1.

In the final Neil used his additional bisques very well giving Barbara only a few chances on the lawn, before he won 14-5. It was Neils first experience of competitive play and his handicap was reduced from 5 to 4. In the 3rd place play off John beat Ian 14-7.

Many thanks to Tournament Manager, David Cornes, and Referee, Jim Allcock, as well as all the helpers that made this enjoyable event run smoothly. The tournament showed how competitive croquet can be played in a pleasant manner and good company.

Croquet at Crake Valley (Federation Short AC Millenium Tournament 2020)

Storm Ellen Defeated by Croquet Millenium

by

NW Federation Millennium AC Advanced
21/22 August 2020 at Pendle & Craven Croquet Club

Sixteen players, sent by their clubs in the NW Federation to compete in this, the ‘Local Friendly Advanced Tournament’ against the people they meet in the local league teams…well that’s the idea anyway.

What we actually got was only fifteen competitors – one had to withdraw at 4am Saturday morning due to Government Covid Lockdown being slapped onto his borough but the rest were all desperate to play some competitive Advanced Croquet this year. The morning also brought other surprises – Storm ‘Ellen’ had ripped & shredded the Marquee into a heap, it was going to provide ‘socially distanced’ C-19 cover to the entries and two flooded lawns – plans of mice & men, etc.

With a mixture of multiple Cars & Sheds, sufficient rain shelter was available on a wet first day to comply with restrictions in place for the out-players. Play in the two stage blocks (A & B) progressed throughout the day as all four courts were restored to playable condition before noon. Dodging the showers by close on the first day ‘A’ flight had completed four rounds, with three credited to the ‘B’s.

Sunday brought brighter weather and the completion of the top flight’s all-play-all collimating in the ‘final’ between the two unbeaten contenders.

There can be only one winner and the ‘Neil Williams’ returns back to Bowdon in the happy hands of John-Paul Moberly this year.

JP Moberley receives the Millenium AC A Trophy from Paul Rigge

After Five rounds in the ‘B’, the only unbeaten player…Lorna Dewar.

Lorna Dewar receives the Millenium AC B Trophy from Paul Rigge with Manager Abdul Ahmad.

Thanks are due to the entire Pendle team for the successful hosting: Gill, Peter, Abdul & Riggey on Thursday. Abdul, Robin, Paul D & Riggey on Friday and of course Abdul for managing the players over the weekend.

Paul Rigge

Local Lad Frank Wins Fed 2020 Millenium Golf Croquet

by

Frank Sharps Wins North West Federation 2020 Millennium Golf Croquet Tournament – Crake Valley Croquet Club 8 August 2020

Frank Sharps (Crake Valley)

On Saturday 8th August, in glorious sunshine and high temperatures, Crake Valley hosted the 2020 Golf Croquet Handicap Millennium competition.

The day got off to a bad start with news that 2 players from Chester had a punctured tyre on the M6 and had to turn back after it had been repaired.  Luckily, David Leach (Bury) and Sandra Cornes (Crake Valley) were present and agreed to fill the spaces. So we had 12 players from 5 clubs competing.

At the end of the group stage the semi finals took place. Frank Sharps (Crake Valley) beating Bernard Lord (Bury) 7-4 and Richard Leach (Bury) beating Peter Uglow (Pendle) 7-5.

The final was keenly and fairly contested. Frank used his 3 extra turns well and the match went to the 13th hoop.  Richard played a superb first shot to give sight of the hoop but couldn’t capitalise. After a short exchange of play Frank held his nerve to run the hoop and win 7-6. 

All players complemented the club for the quality of the lawns and the surrounding areas. The club thanked the players for making the competition a most enjoyable day.

The pictures show general play from the day and Frank with his celebratory drink.

Find a Category

Webmaster – Chris Alvey (webmaster@croquetnw.co.uk)