Croquet in the North West

North West Federation of Croquet Clubs - for everything Croquet in the north west

You are here: Home / Archives for News

Alain Giraud Best of Sandiford Six

by

Southport September Advanced Tournament – Sandiford Salver – 14/15 Sep 2019

Alain Giraud lining up a shot

Alain Giraud won an exciting final game against Paul Rigge to win the Sandiford Salver at Southport’s September Advanced Tournament.

In an injury-affected event, only six players made it to the last day. Giraud and Rigge played a best-of-five final. Alain won the first two quickly, before Paul completed a TPO in the third. Both players clawed their way around, until Rigge left just two balls on the lawn, with himself for peg vs Giraud for rover. Alain hit his last shot and rolled off his hoop to win by one.

Alain Giraud with the 2019 Sandiford Salver

RESULTS:

KNOCK-OUT – Paul Rigge bt Mark Lloyd +13; James Hawkins bt James Thomas +18; Richard H Smith bt Jerry Guest +26; Alain Giraud bt Peter Wilson +25; Paul Rigge bt James Hawkins +22 +19TP; Alain Giraud bt Richard H Smith +11 +19; Alain Giraud bt Paul Rigge +26TP +26TP +1OTP.

PLATE – James Thomas bt Peter Wilson +1; Jerry Guest bt Mark Lloyd +10; Paul Rigge bt James Thomas +19; Mark Lloyd bt Peter Wilson +10; Richard H Smith bt James Hawkins +11; Mark Lloyd bt James Thomas +17; Richard H Smith bt James Thomas +22; James Hawkins bt Mark Lloyd +9.

Manager James Hawkins (l) with Winner Alain Giraud (r)

Outstanding Win for Bury’s Young Croquet Players.

by

Association Croquet FULL LAWN — ALL ENGLAND AREA FINAL –    31stAugust – 1stSeptember 2019 at Whitehead Park Bury.

Five northern Croquet Clubs were represented in this Association Croquet Full Lawns Tournament – Bury, Bowdon, Chester, Pendle and Penrith.

Saturday’s opening games set the scene for the whole week-end with the two youngest players coming into the event never having previously played in full lawn tournament. Both are members of Bury Croquet Club – Jack Good and Richard Leach. 

Previously they had only competed at Short Lawn croquet which meant that they were each entitled to have opening Handicaps of 24 and they both took full advantage of this by playing some outstanding quality croquet. 

13 years old Jack Good is already being tipped for stardom and has been recognised by The Croquet Association as being one of the best new young players in the country. He quickly demonstrated his skills to the joy of all the spectators by performing some outstanding shots :- hitting in at 20 yards, then later at 35 yards to set up perfect four ball breaks with each ball. His opponent was John Dawson from Chester, a very experienced player with an handicap of 2.5 but he had little chance and could only watch as Jack went on to win the game 26 – 0. 

This set the set the trend for the week-end with Jack winning 5 out of 5 of his match’s.

Meanwhile Richard Leach was the only player who came anywhere near threatening Jack’s top spot by taking him to within 2 points in their match against each other. Richard was certainly a worthy joint 2nd placed runner -up with John Dawson – each having won 3 games out of 5.

During the Tournament Jack and Richard both qualified to Receive a Bronze Merit Award for running 10 or more hoops in one break –  a tremendous achievement for two young players in their first Full Lawn AC Tournament.

Unfortunately due to prior commitments Richard is unavailable to go to the Final, so it will be Jack Good  and John Dawson who are eligible to enter the final next week.

David Barrett – Tournament Handicapper &  Joint Manager   

Stuart Smith Wins Colourful Tournament at Pendle.

by

The Kate Jones Tournament 24/26th Aug at Pendle CC

Stuart Smith with the Kate Jones Trophy

August Bank Holiday, the CA’s GC Second Eight Tournament.
One local, two from the midlands and five from the ‘south’ met over the scorching long weekend at our club to contest the ‘Kate Jones’. Format was all play all, with each round being a best of three 13 point games.

After all Seven rounds were completed, the top four played in a KO, Bo3 Semi, and B03 Final. The four non qualifiers played in the Plate event – 19 point single game KO (by consensus with the involved players).

The club looked magnificent, with bunting draped along the hut gutters and along the rain shelters. Hanging flower baskets (supplied by Jan), also mounted on the hut & sheds. Lawn markers and bright white lines denoting the four full size courts (& a half size laid out for members use). The Friday mow was redone on Sunday evening after play (by one of the attending players, since a viable club member ran off when the mower was bought out – you know who you are!).

Many thanks are due to Abdul, Jan, Karen, Libby & Paul R for their work in hosting this Major Event, and Stephen Leonard for the Sunday mow.

Stuart M Smith beat Tim King for the title & Stephen Custance-Baker took the Plate.

Find a Category

Webmaster - Tony Thomas (tony@croquetnw.co.uk)
Consultant - Dave Thackeray (the Pod Cast Guy)