National Golf Croquet B Level Series – David Cornes Wins at East Dorset 22-23 May 2021 – by Gary Brennnan

Sixteen players took part in East Dorset’s Golf Croquet ‘B’ Level Tournament on 22-23 May; apart from the croquet, the unpredictable weather proved the determining factor and the tournament required a little careful managing, butthe programme of matches, albeit with a little re-jigging, progressed satisfactorily and were played to a high competitive standard. Players travelled from far and wide including Crake Valley, Northampton, Enfield, Ealing, Reigate Priory, Ryde, Hamptworth, Dowlish Wake, Camerton & Peasedown, Phyllis Court, Winterborne Valley and East Dorset players.

Day 1 split the sixteen into two blocks of eight all playing all; four players emerged from each block to contest the Championship on Day 2: Ealing’s Charles Sale swept all opposition aside in Block A with 7/7 wins, followed by David Haddrell of East Dorset with 4/7 wins and Phil Davies (Reigate Priory) and Andrew Fall (Enfield) each with four wins. In Block B Phyllis Court’s Rick Lilley had 6/7 wins followed by David Cornes, Stephen Hayns (Ryde) and Patrick Knight (Camerton & Peasedown) all with 4/7 wins.

In the 19-point quarter finals, four players emerged to contest the semi-finals; in the first of the Semi-Finals David Cornes overcame David Haddrell 10-8; whilst Phil Davies defeated Andrew Fall 10-9, setting-up a final contest with David Cornes, who prevailed 10-4. It was regrettable that 19-point games had to be used to decide the Championship, but the compression of time was caused by the race against the predicted bad weather.

In the Plate Competition (also Day 2), Debra Hayns (Ryde) prevailed over last year’s Plate Winner Richard Jenkins (Hamptworth) in a 13-point finale.

I would like to offer my congratulations to David Cornes for his win and to Debra for winning the Plate. I would also like to extend my thanks to all of the players for their understanding, regarding the programme wrinkles, for their excellent croquet and company over the weekend; the groundsman Robin for the high quality courts; the Caterers Sea Events for the delicious food, the referee Keith Southern – who again – officiated at all those ‘difficult moments’ and finally, the Croquet Section Chairman, John Edwards for presenting the trophy and ‘liquid’ comforts to the Runner-up and Plate Winner.

Gary Brennan (East Dorset Croquet Club)