News — Page 150 — Croquet in the North West

Unfinished Melody at Bowdon Croquet

31 August 2016 by Bowdon Web Site

North of England Championship Unfinished by Ian Lines

David Maugham and James Hopgood were unable to complete their match and are tied at 2-games-all in the final of the North of England Championship. The fifth and deciding game will be played at the President’s Cup at Ramsgate (8th – 11th September) or the South of England Championship at Compton (23rd – 25th September).

In the final of the Plate Knockout, Dave Kibble beat David Goacher.

Results from the North of England Championship by Ian Lines at Bowdon 29 Aug 2016

A full field of 22 contested the North of England Championship, including several first timers at Bowdon, such as Jose Riva who flew in specially from Madrid to add an international flavour. The overall entry was pretty strong, with 16 players having handicaps of -1 or better. There were few surprises in the main event knockout, though Joel Taylor had a good win against Chris Williams, and Debbie Lines got through against David Walters, who had to withdraw following a wrist sprain. Despite the fine weather throughout, the tournament always looked in some danger of not finishing, although Ian Lines beating David Goacher with two +26tps did at least ensure that the best-of-five semis could start on Sunday morning as planned. The most entertaining game was probably Jose’s +1otp against Debbie, where Jose’s excellent shooting proved decisive.

In the first semi, David Maugham was clearly too good for Ian Lines, who was lucky to take a game in the best-of-five. In the other semi, Jose Riva didn’t play as well as he had earlier in the tournament, and James Hopgood won 3-1. The final started at 9.30am on Monday, and it looked at 6pm as though David would win 3-1 after completing a tpo, but David was slightly hampered after 3-back and missed a 5 yarder, leaving James a 16 yard shot at a double, which he duly hit and finished from hoop 2 to level the match. James then had to leave to catch a plane (the manager had agreed this when accepting his entry) and it has been agreed that the final game will be played at the South of England Championship.

In the plate, the most remarkable performance was by Alison Girdlestone (handicap 2.5) who had a string of five consecutive wins, including her first tournament triple (gaining a CA gold merit award) and wins against James Hawkins (-1) and Dave Kibble (-1.5). Alison later went on to record her best ever win by beating Ian Lines (-2) by +6, after Ian only made one error breaking down on a triple. Alison’s handicap was duly reduced to 1. The final of the plate was contested between David Goacher and Dave Kibble, which Dave Kibble eventually won +16 after a good attempt at a sextuple.

Many thanks to Bowdon for hosting this great event and to all those involved in preparing the lawns and providing all the excellent catering. Thank you also to Barry Keen and Colin Irwin for setting all the hoops – all very well set to 1/32″ – and a little tighter for the semis and final.

MAIN EVENT
Preliminary Round (best of 3):
Jose Riva beat Charles Harding +26tp, +17
David Maugham beat Jerry Guest +19tp, +20
Debbie Lines beat Mike Sandler +24, +17
Peter Taylor beat Alison Girdlestone +14, +24
David Walters beat Francois Garcia +5, +23
Colin Irwin beat Avril Rangoni-Machiavelli +17, -15, +16

First Round (best of 3)
Ian Lines beat Sam Murray +11tp, -21, +16
Joel Taylor beat Chris Williams +16, -16, +4
James Hopgood beat James Hawkins +10, +9
Debbie Lines beat David Walters -16, +16, w/o
David Maugham beat Colin Irwin +26qp, +26tp
Dave Kibble beat Phillip Scarr +18, -15, +5tp
David Goacher beat Richard H Smith -23, +14, +24tp
Jose Riva beat Peter Taylor +20tp, +18

Quarter Finals (best of 5)
James Hopgood beat Joel Taylor +10, +25tp
Jose Riva beat Debbie Lines +26qp, +1otp
David Maugham beat Dave Kibble +20tp, +26tp
Ian Lines beat David Goacher +26tp, -18, +26tp

Semi Finals (best of 5)
James Hopgood beat Jose Riva +12tpo, -26tp, +24tp, +16tp
David Maugham beat Ian Lines +13tp, -16tp, +20tp, +18

Final (best of 5)
David Maugham in play v James Hopgood -15tp, +14, +16tp, -5otp

CONSOLATION PLATE
Charles Harding beat Hawkins +7; Joel Taylor beat Richard H Smith +24; Peter Taylor beat Alison Girdlestone +14; Debbie Lines beat Charles Harding +25; Sam Murray beat Jerry Guest +16; Phillip Scarr beat Francois Garcia +20; Peter Taylor beat Joel Taylor +23; Jose Jerry Guest +9; Alison Girdlestone beat Mike Sandler +5; James Hawkins beat Francois Garcia +10; Jerry Guest beat Mike Sandler +4; Sam Murray beat Chris Williams +14; James Hawkins beat Charles Harding +25tp; Alison Girdlestone beat Avril Rangoni-Machiavelli +16tp; Jerry Guest beat Francois Garcia +16; Colin Irwin beat Mike Sandler +4; Chris Williams beat Peter Taylor +20; Phillip Scarr beat Sam Murray +4tp; Mike Sandler beat Peter Taylor +15; Debbie Lines beat Colin Irwin +25tp; James Hawkins beat Joel Taylor +7; James Hopgood beat Chris Williams +17tp; Richard Smith beat Charles Harding +1(t); Alison Girdlestone beat Francois Garcia +1(t); Jose Riva beat Phillip Scarr +17; Sam Murray beat Dave Kibble +17tp; Peter Taylor beat Joel Taylor +17; Alison Girdlestone beat James Hawkins +12; Dave Kibble beat Chris Williams +8; Sam Murray beat David Goacher +10; Debbie Lines beat Phillip Scarr +18; Richard H Smith beat Colin Irwin +3(t); Charles Harding beat Avril Rangoni-Machiavelli +1(t); Chris Williams beat James Hawkins +26; Joel Taylor beat Francois Garcia +26tp ; Peter Taylor beat Jerry Guest +26; Alison Girdlestone beat Dave Kibble +19; David Goacher beat Phillip Scarr +24tp; Sam Murray beat Richard H Smith +5; Colin Irwin beat Charles Harding +12; Chris Williams beat Jerry Guest +15; James Hawkins beat Debbie Lines +6; Chris Williams beat Richard H Smith +25; David Goacher beat Charles Harding +23tp; Phillip Scarr beat Peter Taylor +15; Joel Taylor beat Alison Girdlestone +4; Dave Kibble beat Francois Garcia +18tp; Dave Kibble beat James Hawkins +2tpo; Sam Murray beat Colin Irwin +9; Jerry Guest beat Avril Rangoni-Machiavelli +5; Francois Garcia beat Charles Harding +1(t); Phillip Scarr beat James; Riva beat Debbie Lines +19; Alison Girdlestone beat Ian Lines +6.
Quarter Finals of Plate: Ian Lines beat Alison Girdlestone +26; Jose Riva beat Chris Williams +18tp; Dave Kibble beat Sam Murray +7tp; David Goacher beat Debbie Lines +12tpo.
Semi Finals of Plate: Dave Kibble beat Ian Lines +18; David Goacher beat Jose Riva +3tp.
Final of Plate: Dave Kibble beat David Goacher +16

54 games in main event (1 more to play)
60 games in plate

SUMMARY
David Maugham (-2.5) 11/14 1qp, 8tps, 1otp
James Hopgood (-2) 10/13 6tps, 1tpo
Jose Riva (-1.5) 10/14 1qp, 4tps
David Goacher (-1.5) 7/12 4tps, 1tpo
Ian Lines (-2) 6/13 4tps
David Walters (-2) 3/4
Chris Williams (-2) 5/11
Phillip Scarr (-1) 5/10 1tp
Dave Kibble (-1.5) 8/13 3tps, 1tpo
Joel Taylor (-1) 5/11 1tp
Debbie Lines (-1) 6/12 1tp, 1otp
Sam Murray (-1) 6/11 1tp
Richard H Smith (-1) 3/8
Peter Taylor (-1) 6/11
James Hawkins (-1) 4/10 1tp
Colin Irwin (-1.5) 4/10
Francois Garcia (3) 1/9
Alison Girdlestone (2.5) 6/11 1tp
Mike Sandler (3.5) 1/6
Jerry Guest (2.5) 4/9
Charles Harding (3) 2/10
Avril Rangoni-Machiavelli (3) 1/6

Forman Grills Players at Pendle Croquet Tournament

31 August 2016 by Garry Wilson

Pendle Summer Handicap Tournament 2016

With an entry of 13 it was bound to be unlucky for some!

Coming from the four corners of the known world – Glasgow, Keswick, Huddersfield and Edgbaston (but I really live in Rochdale), not to mention Middlesbrough, Crake, Chester and Fylde, it proved to be an exciting competition. The weather was at times overcast but even the occasional shower didn’t dampen spirits and no time was lost to inclement weather.

The tournament was a play-on-any-days Egyptian, with 5 games to qualify. Day one saw an early lead for Richard Forman and a disaster for the manager, but the high spot was Betty Bates beating Lee Hartley in 39 minutes. This remained the fastest time throughout the tournament and earned Betty the prestigious Fastest Game Trophy.

Nine Players became 12 for Saturday and Sunday and the pace quickened. With two games to go, only a disaster would prevent Richard Forman from winning but the minor placings were all up for grabs. The disaster nearly happened when he lost to Robin Delves in the final match, but such was his lead, he could afford the hiccough.

The Pendle Summer Handicap Trophy was presented to Richard Forman (Huddersfield), a worthy winner whose handicap fell by one full step. The Under Ten Handicap Trophy went to Roger Schofield (Pendle), who finished in second place and The 10 or Over Handicap Trophy went to Alan Morton (Fylde) who finished third.

An excellent fun tournament enjoyed by all, even the manager who redeemed himself to finish fourth.

John Henderson Wins Fylde Croquet Tournament

31 July 2016 by Peter Wilson

John Henderson Won The Fylde Croquet Jubilee Handicap Trophy
Saturday 30th July 2016

10:34 I have a wonderful view across the three lawns here at Fylde, all occupied with our regular visitors and some new entrants. It strikes me all the pegs, peg extensions and corner pegs are exactly as specified in the laws in every respect. Indeed further to that, the secondary clips are all modified for colour vision. One of the three lawns is exactly the right size and I enjoy the diagonal view from yellow flag to red flag through the perfectly formed peg and extension.

12:38 My rather nice lunch is interrupted as the final game finishes, Second round pairings easy as pie (which was also my desert).

SHOT!
14:04 I refereed a shot played by David Lloyd. His ball was in the jaws of penultimate only about 25% through and slightly West of centre. He was attempting a roquet on White about two feet due West of the perfectly formed peg. This was achieved taking some wire with a clean crisp shot.

15:03 there are 112 points scored out of a possible 306 in this round with 90 minuets left. Players are rushing around applying Sun block as the Blackpool micro-climate kicks in. The man in lederhosen is firmly out of my Black Forest weather-house. So I take my jacket off.

15:04 Lost my phone.

15:05 Found phone in jacket pocket. Checked Pokemon. Nothing as usual, wish I was at Bristol with David.

16:14 It is great to see so many spectators here. Oh, hang on, they are not spectators, just players waiting for me to make the next round pairings. The last games are concluding. But there are actually several spectators here today.

SHOT!
16:15 Local man Philip slow plays a shot at a wired ball that curves a few inches to hit.

GOOD PLAY!
16:55 Philip is in the best break of the tournament. It is happening on the time turn of the last game to finish which started late. It ends at 4Back and the game is over -2.

17:27 Following long games there are a few players still in the recovery position, getting sprayed with water and cooled down by towel waving trainers, but most third round games started a while ago.

GOOD PLAY!
17:29 Jim plays a blinder going to 4back on the third turn. He should have made that hoop but looks as if the adrenalin of a good recovery shot kicked in to make him miss it.

STATTO IN THE HOUSE!
17:43 Mallet Makers on the lawn: John Beech 1, Alan Pidcock 6, John Hobbs 1, David Barrett 4. Three of those Pidcock’s are very early models but Statto says they still count.

18:44 Some games still with 90 minuets left on the clock. Few sticking around watching the Sunset, having refreshments and wondering where the yellow clip is on lawn 5.

Sunday 31st July 2016.

9:30 A prompt start in Sunshine. Our club bell may not have the provenance of coming from, say, the Titanic, but it did come from the historical Heworth Hall in Gateshead. It was donated by Aspire TS who moved into and refurbished the building about five years ago. This company also provided the Jubilee Trophy which is being played for today.

10:10 Speaking of the Titanic, the two games on court #1 both have players conceding 14 bisques. I’ll keep a look out, but some pulling has been done already.

SHOP!
11:11 No that is not a typo, I have come back from the supermarket with deserts and having refreshed the refreshments. Found all games bathed in Sunshine and surprisingly still in progress.

12:30 The potatoes are taking longer than expected. As are the games.

13:30 We are into the last round now. The Swiss has thrown up a possibility of eight different results, six of which would need a tie break. Three of the four two way ties are sorted at level two ( who beat who) but the remaining one needs level five (AMD) . In the two three way ties possibilities, one is resolved by level four (who beat all the others), while the other is AMD. The fifth level AMD is quality of opponents game scores. Still with me?

SHOT!
14:23 John Henderson makes a long roquet to get back in against Eileen Gallagher. One of these two will end on 4/5 and may win outright if Joe Lennon or Marjorie Eldon do not tie with them. The Rig Helicopter comes over us into Blackpool lower than I have ever seen it. 200 feet? These guys coming back from 14 days on the rig probably asking pilot to give them a view of the clippage on lawn 5.

REFEREE!
15:24 Wiring lift on lawn 3 not given to Joe by LW. Looking through the binoculars from the clubhouse I must agree.

15:25 Wondering what will run out first. Denise’s bisques or the white wine in the bar. ( I admit this is simply building suspense into the report in homage to Douglas Adams).

16:12 Both Joe and Marjorie have lost, turning the John v Eileen G. game into a simple final.

16:44 John Henderson from Penrith pegs out against Eileen Gallagher from Southport & Birkdale to win the tournament. Uncountable runners up on 3/5.

NICE SPEACH!
16:45 Thank you to all players for their support, conduct, sportsmanship and carrying ball markers. Thank you to the back room staff and helpers. Thank you Ian, those white lines were very straight. Thank you Philip Bass for the beautiful lawns. Thank you Liz Wilson for the main catering and tournament vision.

17:00 Trophy presented by Chairman of FCC, Martin Bradshaw

MEMO
18:30 it was Denise’s bisques that ran out first.

Unfinished Melody at Bowdon Croquet

Forman Grills Players at Pendle Croquet Tournament

John Henderson Wins Fylde Croquet Tournament

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