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Outstanding Win for Bury’s Young Croquet Players.

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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.

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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.

Once, Twice, Three times a Winner – Riggey

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Crake “Rock Clock” AC Tournament 17/18th Aug

Jim Allcock presents Paul Rigge with the Cavendish Clock

Riggey travelled up the the Lake District to play in the Crake Valley Croquet Club’s August Advanced Tournament.

The work continues at Crake to bring the Lawns back into full use with the re-serviced drains now starting to have an effect, after Friday’s downpour I expected the event to be cancelled or at least notified of a late start, but not a bit of it. the ‘top’ courts were both dry and playable – great job CCC.

This Tournament was also notable, since it’s the last event the ‘Leaning Pavilion of Greenodd’ will be used. Over winter it’s due to be demolished & replaced with a ‘proper’ brick building fitted with both running water *and* electricity! For a club formed in 1897, will the new ‘hut’ last as long or have as much personality? Enter the event next year and find out!

Paul now is the only player to hold the Lake District Slate Cavendish Clock three times.

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