Trans Pennine Croquet Cup Stuck in North East

23 June 2013 by Paul Rigge

North East Triumph Again in Pennine Cup

Paul Rigge reports from Earby 23 June 2013

Failure for the Lancashire croquet squad at Pendle croquet club again!!

Member Paul Rigge, as Manager and this year, Captain of the NW Federation team, took control and led this year’s squad out at Pendle (after setting the hoops in the only rain we had all day). This match is the last remaining fixture from the old Confederation of Northern Clubs (under Mike Evans), and as such, is always played in great spirit and this year wasn’t an exception – good fun was had.

The North East team, lead by Charles Waterfield carried the day 6-3 and retained the trophy for the fourth successive time, despite Lancashire being marginally stronger on paper. By lunch we were 1-2 down after the 3hr morning doubles, and Pendle’s fayre failed to reverse our fortunes in the single matches after the break.

Worth noting this year – for the first time ever, nearly all the games were played (bar one) under advanced rules and only Bury members won games.

Photo (L-R): NW Fed; Betty Bates(10), Rob Essler(1.5), Terry Vernazza(5), Peter Wilson(1.5), Andy Branwood(6) & Paul Rigge (-1) NE Fed; Charles Waterfield(.5), Dennis Scarr(6), Malcolm Daines(6), Derek Knight(3), Derek Watts(2) & David Turner (7)

Rigge Rules at Pendle Advanced Croquet Tournament

16 June 2013 by Paul Rigge

Pendle’s Advanced Weekend, June 15/16th

Matt Holmes & Paul Rigge entered this weekend tournament along with players from all over the NW & NE. The rain stayed away apart from a quick shower early Saturday morning. The lawns are still recovering from last year’s *wet season* and the hoops were set firm and tight, so it was *challenging* to say the least.

Paul didn’t drop a game in either the KO or the Egyptian so lifted both the David Openshaw Claret Jug for the second time and the Chris Clark Bowl for the first, but it’s worth noting that some of his games *did* drag on – the last ball being hit on Saturday night at 22:10 before pegging down the game to recommence Sunday for 22mins. (so didn’t win the ‘fastest game’ award).
Paul 8/9, Matt managed 4/8

Brian Storey Wins Crake Advanced Croquet Tournament

10 June 2013 by Liz Wilson

Brian Storey won the Leven & Crake Valley Advanced Croquet Weekend

Brian Storey won the Cumbria Cup, beating Tom Griffith in the final +20, +3.

Sixteen competitors met for the usual well managed and hosted weekend at Crake Valley Croquet Club on a gloriously hot and sunny weekend. In a first round upset, Peter Moore from Nottingham beat Dave Nick with the other rounds going with handicap. In round two Peter Moore continued his wining streak beating Peter Wardle +1T. Other winners in the quarter finals were Lee Hartley, Tom Griffiths, and Brian Storey. By semi-final time four competitors were playing in bare feet and most were showing a quantity of bare flesh. Tom Griffith took on Peter Moore and Brian Storey played Lee Hartley. Both Tom and Brian were on cracking form and won their matches easily setting up a best-of-three final for the Sunday. An excellent and hearty meal for 20 followed on the Saturday night with a fiendish anagram quiz to entertain.

Sunday dawned equally sunny with the first game of the final being won easily by Brian Storey +20. The second game, however, entertained for hours with Brian coming out the eventual winner +3, giving him a 2 – 0 win and the Cumbria Cup.

The plate was tied between Ray Lowe and Alan Pidcock and was settled by a shoot out at the peg which was won (eventually) by Alan. Well done to Dave Nick and the Crake Club for hosting a splendid event and well done to Brian Storey for his win.