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This is the Croquet Way

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What a Leave!

Carefully and with great skill one of the north wests best players (Mr J Hawkins) attempted a Sextuplet at the North West Federation Festival of Croquet last Sunday and produced a perfect cross wire as part of his leave.  Breathtaking in its beauty, accuracy and simplicity, which drew gasps from the watching crowd.

Just admire this cross wire of his opponents balls:

Now if we just pull back the camera, we realise why the crowd were left aghast:

 

“Collapse of stout party”.  Just goes to show, even experts can still amaze us.  

We recommend more practice and perhaps a read of the best selling Croquet book – Complete Croquet: A Guide to Skills, Tactics and Strategy – written by a certain Mr J Hawkins.

Scorching Croquet at Crake

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Cumbria Cup – Crake Croquet Club – 17/18 June 2017

Peter Wilson with the Cumbria Cup and players in the 2017 event

Only seven entries for the event this year, so Tom Griffith stood down as he had other commitments.  This led to an all-play-all format.  The croquet handicaps varied from 8 to -½.

There were some surprises along the way with Jim Alcock (5) nearly winning the event by beating Paul Rigge (-1/2) and Peter Wilson (1/2 ).  His downfall in the last game came against Dave Nick with one of his usual three ball endings. Many games finished with only two balls on the lawn and great fun was had by all.

The eventual winner on 4 wins was Peter Wilson with Paul Rigge runner-up on 4 wins but beaten by Peter.  Other competitors not mentioned in dispatches were Liz Wilson and David Lloyd. 

We were all ready for rain but came away scorched!  Thank you Crake for a great event.

Pendle Avoid Rain to Win at Ripon Spa

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Golf Croquet Murphy Shield Pendle vs Ripon Spa 8th June 2017

Pendle and Ripon Golf Croquet players

The match originally to be held at Pendle and Craven Croquet club was moved to Ripon due to the heavy rainfall preceding the date. Pendle and Craven accepted Ripon’s offer to host the match to ensure it could be played before the cut off date. The teams were evenly matched with each side playing handicaps 2, 3, 3, and 6.

The teams were well prepared with full wet weather outfits for the torrential rain forecast. The mornings play commenced in heavy rain and high winds. Libby Dixon and Keith Terry contested the doubles match for Pendle vs Margaret Cowman and Freda Vitty for Ripon with Pendle winning 7-5, 1-7 and 7-3.

The singles were both close games. Paul Dowdall for Pendle winning over Gill Brent 7-4, 4-7 and 7-3 and Roger I’Anson for Ripon beating Will Drake 5-7, 7-4 and 7-5.

The afternoon singles play commenced in bright sunshine. Libby Dixon won her match against Margaret Cowman 7-4, 7-4, Freda Vitty beat Keith Terry 7-1, 7-6.  Paul Dowdall won his game against Roger I’Anson 7-5, 7-6 and lastly Gill Brent beat Will Drake 7-6, 7-6.

The outcome was a win for Pendle and Craven 4-3.

Libby Dixon thanked Fergus Thompson of the Ripon Spa hotel for the use of their croquet lawns and the afternoon tea they supplied.  Pendle look forward to progressing to the next round against Belsay Hall Croquet Club.

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