Welcome to Braithwaite
With acknowledgement to the Croquet Gazette (April 2016)
North West Federation of Croquet Clubs - for everything Croquet in the north west
South Shore Advanced Tankard Weekend, 16/17th April
Due to lawn conditions, Southport had to cancel the April Jubilee Tankard tournament planned for last weekend, however, Fylde jumped into the breech and invited all the entries to play on their dry courts.
Because of or in spite of an incorrect weather forcast, only Lancashire players turned out for this impromptu “Not Southport Tournament” or “Three-a-Day Advanced” with the same manager being retained for the new “venue”.
As it happens, shorts were in order on both days with loads of blue sky and early season sunshine – even Lee Hartley was seen without a scarf and coat, it was that warm!
Format was all play all over the two days and both Bury club members finished top of the heap with Matt Holmes having the Bragging rights over Paul Rigge on who beat who.
Many thanks to FCC for Hosting at such very short notice and as an illustration of how much fun was had – all combatants stayed until the very last stroke.
Liz Wilson from Fylde also writes:
The Pop-Up Tournament
Following the cancellation of the Southport and Birkdale Advanced Tournament 7 entrants (Hartley, Hawkins, Holmes, Nicholson, Rigge, Wilson and Wilson) decided to play an impromptu tournament at Fylde over the weekend. As one of the players said “It is difficult to negotiate a whole weekend off to play and is therefore a shame to have nowhere to compete”. Fylde is lucky in being one of the few clubs in the North West who seem to have conquered their drainage problems and thanks to the hard work of Philip Bass and the other members of the club the lawns have been playable for most of the winter. Manager James Hawkins entertained and managed in equal measures and warm help-yourself whenever casseroles were provided to counteract the Arctic Winds. Both days had a fair dose of sun and more than one of the players complained of sunburn (or was it wind burn). It was run as an all play all with only the non-played match being Wilson vs Wilson. There were many amusing incidents, grievous peg-outs and crazy misses along the way and the whole tournament was played in Great Spirit with Nick playing his usual entertaining cat and mouse game with Liz Wilson (well I like to give you a chance!). The “final” was between Paul Rigge and Matt Holmes with Matt running out the winner. In my opinion these pop-up tournaments are something for the Fed to consider – perhaps one day turn up and play events with a winner at the end of the season.
No Damp Spirits at Pendle
Richard Foreman Reports from Pendle:
Good Friday’s John Beech Tournament at Pendle can be a hardy affair, but this year the sun was shining gloriously with a faint breeze for this Easter Tournament. Players came from Middlesbrough, Glasgow, Bury, Fylde, Bowdon, Huddersfield and Pendle to enjoy a season opener on Pendle’s new lawns. A warm welcome was given by Garry Wilson and a bluff hello from Rigge (beer in hand). Roger Schofield prepared hot-cross buns and duly decorated them with a seasonal cross: jam scones and cream, chocolate fudge cake and savoury nibbles were welcomely quaffed by the exceedingly thankful players.
Saturday’s early front runner after Friday’s matches is David Walters with an incredible roquet to get back in and peeled his last three to win +26TP. At 4 pm the heavens open with a deluge, Rigge donned rain-weather gear, a white waterproof jacket, shorts and his trusty fedora. Jane Bailey supplied the mouth-watering array of cupcakes and a Victoria sponge to die for. David Walters has finished two games out of three with a TP. The rest of the pack left in his wake. It’ll take a stalking horse to make an upset, but that’s croquet.
The new drainage put in last Autumn is working admirably and the only puddles were outside the huts as the lawns were wet but still playable.
Sunday morning opened its eyes a pale primrose sun but the Earby breeze set the weather vane spinning madly on its axis. Play was countered against an iron wind wobbling balls and watering eyes, though the worst of it came around 12 noon as an out of season shower of hail whipped the cat-o-nine tails as players forged on regardless to post wins to keep the chasing pack in contention behind David Walters. After lunch play carried on under a pale azure sky and the clouds scudded past.
Roger Schofield continues the report:
Late Sunday in a handicap game Garry Wilson takes a ball round with 3 bisques. David Walters hit in takes his ball round and leaves 2 balls on the lawn. Garry uses his remaining 7.5 bisques to get his last ball round and win +11.
Monday morning storm Katie has flooded every court. The competitors work hard to clear the lawn. By 11am Betty Bates was able to play Joe Lennon and Garry Wilson against Roger Staples. This was enough to settle all the results but no other games were completed before the entire lawn flooded again.
A successful tournament ensued giving first victories of the season to:
Gary Wilson (Pendle) – the John Beech trophy.
Davids Walters (Bowdon) – the Peter Dowdall Cup (Adv).
Joe Lennon (Glasgow) – High Handicap (>10).
Roger Staples (Middlesborough) – Low Handicap (<10).
David Walters (Bowdon) – Croquet of Leisure (most active).
Roger Staples (Middlesborough) – the Fastest Tankard.