News — Page 195 — Croquet in the North West

Mark Ormerod Takes Southport Croquet Jubilee

16 April 2013 by Kath Thomas

Mark Ormerod wins Southport April Advanced Tournament (13-14 April 2013)

In spite of a dreadful winter, Southport croquet lawns are in superb condition thanks to the efforts of members and this weekend they were the setting for the first big tournament of the year. Expert players came from the whole British Isles to take part, from as far as Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Cornwall, bringing very entertaining play of a very high standard to the club. The event was managed by James Hawkins.

The Jubilee Cup was won by Mark Ormerod of Dulwich and runner up was Keith Aiton of Nottingham.

RESULTS (James Hawkins):

Mark Ormerod had recovered from a game down to beat Edinburgh’s James Hopgood in the semis, earning his place against Great Britain Captain, Keith Aiton, in the final. Keith had shown impressive form in the earlier rounds, but Mark stole the first game by a single point, and shut Keith out for most of the second game to win th

e title.

KNOCKOUT:
Campbell Morrison bt Ray Lowe +18; Ian Parkinson bt Collin Southern +15; Keith Aiton bt Alan Pidcock +26TP; James Hopgood bt Richard Smith +20; Matt Holmes bt Gail Curry +19; Ailsa Lines bt John Haslam +4; Mark Ormerod bt Sam Murray +26; Dave Nick bt Jane Morrison +13; Phil Scarr bt Richard Griffiths +13; James Hawkins bt Campbell Morrison +23; Keith Aiton bt Ian Parkinson +22TP; James Hopgood bt Matt Holmes +17TP; Mark Ormerod bt Ailsa Lines +17; Phil Scarr bt Dave Nick +8; Keith Aiton bt James Hawkins +25TP; Mark Ormerod bt James Hopgood -26TP +24 +23; Keith Aiton bt Phil Scarr +25TP +26TP; Mark Ormerod bt Keith Aiton +1 +25;

PLATE EVENT:
Sam Murray bt Alan Pidcock +12; Richard Griffiths bt Gail Curry +6; Jane Morrison bt Ray Lowe +21; Richard Smith bt Collin Southern +3; Campbell Morrison bt John Haslam +23; Matt Holmes bt Ian Parkinson +23; James Hopgood bt Sam Murray +26TP; Jane Morrison bt James Hawkins +7; Ailsa Lines bt Gail Curry +9; Matt Holmes bt Sam Murray +16; Phil Scarr bt Matt Holmes +16; Ailsa Lines bt Jane Morrison +12; Campbell Morrison bt Richard Smith +3; Richard Griffiths bt Dave Nick +16; Sam Murray bt Ian Parkinson +12; James Hawkins bt Gail Curry +2; Ray Lowe bt Collin Southern +22; Alan Pidcock bt John Haslam +11; James Hopgood bt Phil Scarr +22TP; Matt Holmes bt Collin Southern +18; James Hawkins bt Dave Nick +24TP; Ray Lowe bt Sam Murray +14; Campbell Morrison bt Phil Scarr +8; Matt Holmes bt Dave Nick +9; James Hawkins bt Collin Southern +19; James Hopgood bt Ailsa Lines +26TP; Richard Smith bt Jane Morrison +4;

HANDICAP CHANGE – James Hawkins 0 to -1/2

Rigge Rules in the Snow

1 April 2013 by Barbara Dutton

Pendle John Beech Easter Croquet Tournament 2013 by Barbara Dutton

Some could say the joke was on us. A hardy bunch of volunteers spent Maundy Thursday clearing snow drifts from the croquet lawns in order for play to start on the Friday. An equally hardy bunch of players turned up on the Friday to compete for the various honors on offer. Paul Rigge from Bury, another club founded by John Beech, managed the tournament which featured both handicap and advanced play. With sunshine but stiff breezes some shots may have been hampered by clothing and the warm pavilion and hot food kept frostbite away. Three players from Pendle and Craven: Roger Schofield, Paul Dowdall and Garry Wilson battled the other 12 players who travelled from croquet clubs as far away as Glasgow and Middlesbrough to compete.

The manager, Paul Rigge, took the overall trophy, the John Beech cup.
Lee Hartley from Fylde took the Advanced trophy
Paul Dowdall from Pendle & Craven took the High handicap trophy
Joe Lennon from Glasgow took the Low Handicap trophy
The Fastest Croquet game went to Lee Hartley in 52 minutes (not beating the 42 minutes set by Alice Fleck previous year)
The most games of Croquet played was a three way tie between Paul Rigge, Betty Bates and Matt Holmes.

The picture shows Lee hartley, Betty Bates and Paul Rigge L to R with remaining snow

And from the Bury Website:

Pendle & Craven, 29th March -1st April, John Beech Easter Tournament

Bury member Paul Rigge regains the JB Easter title for the first time in a decade and also achieves a reduction in handicap to -1 (also shares most games played award with Matt Holmes & Betty Bates of Fylde)
It’s not very often that Croquet shares a venue with winter activities but with children enjoying the Bank Holiday sledging on the slope at the back, we played Croquet in the bright sunshine at Earby.
The weather stayed as forecast, dry and bright but with a bitterly cold easterly wind blowing, only the in-player went outside to brave it. Easter Sunday was the coldest on record with overnight temperatures hitting -7C.
Playing a mixture of advanced & handicap games, Paul only dropped a single game on his way to the title over the four days of competition, overcoming anything up to 20.5 Bisques multiple times.
Over the four days, various players floated into contention only to fall back into the pack. Last year’s winner and club mate, Andy Brandwood had a good campaign and finished in third place behind Joe Lennon (Glasgow).

Matt Holmes Invited into International Squad

26 March 2013 by Paul Rigge

Matt’s success in last year’s Invitational Eights (Selectors) has brought him to the attention of the Secretary-General of the World Croquet Federation as well as the Chairman of the Croquet Association’s AC Selection Committee.

Matt has been invited to join the AC International Player Development Squad 2013/2014, whose intention it is to develop players with the ability and desire to play for Great Britain in the 2017 AC World Team Championships (MacRobertson Shield).

Starting this season the Squad will receive sessions encompassing individual goal setting and motivation, mentoring, tactical discussions as well as on-lawn coaching, all geared to enable Matt to break into the National Team by the start of the 2015;

Bury with an MacRob Player? Here’s hoping!