Crake Valley was filled to the brim with mist when the LPG Millennium 2022 tournament got underway at 0930 on Thursday 25th August 2022. The air was a little chill and the eight contestants donned jackets and fleeces. Two players from each of Penrith and Westmorland in the north of the NW Federation area, two from Crake and two from Chester in the south of the region, came to the ‘all play all’ competition. The lawns had been trimmed at first light by the resident groundsman and would surely win any contest for the best croquet lawns in the NW. The last of the mist drained away by mid-morning and glorious warm and sunny weather settled in for the rest of the day.

The croquet was both vigorous and  speedy,  or more relaxed depending on the  temperament of the players,  but the competition rolled on very close to  programme which is a familiar feature of Crake 

tournament management. Lunch from the ‘Chippy’ for those in need and continuous drinks, biscuits and sweets for all.

Prize-giving was on the veranda in the warm evening sunshine with a beer or juice. David Cornes, a promising local lad, won with a clean sheet and was presented with the Plate and a memento from a local artisan ‘Glass by Sands’. Runner up was Howard Bowron from Penrith who put in a very solid performance following a quirky first game. All of the other players achieved a personal victory in one way or another and the day ended with the usual croquet banter  watching the setting Sun.

Tom Grievson, Chester

The Area Final was played on a mainly dry day, unlike the forecast originally given. We had a couple of occasions with a few drops of rain each time!

Unfortunately 2 players had to withdraw at the last minute but 2 reserves stepped in to play. Following communication with the Director the format was all play all, 22point games with a base of 8.5 and with reduced time limits.

In the first round Betty Bates (handicap 12) was playing Ged Smolskas (handicap 6). Betty played exceptionally well eventually beating Ged 22 -5.

In the other game Phil Snowden (Hcp 11) was playing Phil Nuttall (Hcp 10). This was a well fought game going to time with Phil N winning 18 – 14.

In the 2nd round Ged played Phil S and was easily overcome with Phil winning 22 – 0.

The other game saw Betty eventually win 22 – 12. This was another good game despite the resultant score.

In the last round Ged eventually managed to beat Phil N 15-13 on time. Phil overran the hoop on his last turn. Unfortunately Phil was having a lot of trouble with his wrist (a long standing problem since childhood). The 2nd game saw a big battle between Phil S and Betty. Play kept changing from one player to the other. Eventually Phil got the advantage and ended up winning 22-15.

This meant that both Betty and Phil S had won 2 games each. Phil, not only having beaten Betty also beat her on net points so was the winner of the Area Final.

Phil N and Ged had won 1 game each but Ged beat Phil N.

A comment from Betty was ‘my brain keeps telling me what to do and I am doing it!’.

Good luck to Phil S in the final.

Report by Jean Hargreaves

The NW Federation Millennium AC Advanced was contested at Pendle & Craven Croquet Club over the August weekend of 20/21^st on parched mown brownish grass.

Twelve NW Members arrived bright and early to pre-ordered Bacon Butties, delivered through the kitchen smoky haze (from the frying pans) – didn’t affect the flavour though.. yum!

After quick practice knock, allowed to try and get to grips with the super fast courts and firm, tight hoops, players started their un-timed games – well it is meant to be ‘Advanced’ after all!

Comments about play on Saturday? One pairing got to double bank with six other players (a record surely?) – such was the speed of their play, they got to see three other games start and finish before they reached a result..

Weather? Two light quick showers blew through – not enough to warrant water-proofs or cool a very warm day.

Due to the timing of the tournament dinner, one game was pegged down and the place locked up while energy abounded – great meal & fab company.

Sunday; overnight heavy rain promised easier conditions for all and so it proved, doubling the ‘TPs’ achieved in the sunshine but it also brought problem time for the manager. After the day’s first round, all the top seeds had beaten each other up – giving three tied in top spot…..oops!

All things shake out (honest), and so the presentation; this year’s ‘Neil Williams’ recipient – Rick Harding and the ‘Woodlands’ got awarded to Nigel Matthews