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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.

Riggy Has Done It Again

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White Rose Open 10/11 August 2019

Callum Johnson (right with full bottle) congratulates Paul Rigge (left with empty glass)

Ever get that feeling of deja vu? Paul Rigge experienced it over the weekend 10/11 August at York Croquet Club.

He travelled over the Pennines to contest the Second holding of the White Rose Open in the rain, again.

Other entries attending came from Nottingham, Anglia, Luxemburg, London & Yorkshire, again.

The atmosphere and welcome was warm & friendly, again.

The Manager (Peter Thompson) ran it as a flexible Egyptian, again.

Weather conditions (bit of rain now & then) and Tournament dinner, at same place as last year… you get my point by now. 

Even the same two players made it though the Semi-Finals KO to contest the Final, which by now you won’t be surprised to learn also ended with a 3ball ending just like last year. The title was again taken by Paul from a much improved Callum Johnson.. weird!  

Paul Rigge Champions Lancs Golf Croquet

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A rather damp and drizzly morning greeting the 12 players to the 20th Lancashire Open GC on 20/21 July, with beautiful hillside all around, hinting of sun to come, which it did eventually.

The initial stage was formed of 2 blocks of 6, all play all twice, single 13 point games. Local players and those from much further afield enjoyed some spirited competition. In the end Guy Scurfield topped Block A with 8 wins from 10, and Paul Rigge the same for Block B.

The 1st day ended with glorious sunshine which continued into day 2.

The quarter finals, due to be BO3 13 pt games, were sensibly amended by manager Abdul Ahmed to single 19 pt games, due to likely time constraints. All matches were hard fought and very close. Paul Durkin taking out Guy Scurfield at hoop 19; Tim King winning 10-8 over David Lloyd; Steve Jackson of the USA beat Ted Flaxman 10-9, and Paul Rigge beat Stuart Smith 10-6.

Semi final 1 saw Paul Durkin take on Tim King. An enthralling game, back and forth, Tim took game 1, Paul game 2, and it went all the way to hoop 13 on game 3, where possibly a bit of inexperience / nerves got the better of Paul who had a few chances to close out the match, but in the end Tim prevailed.

Semi final 2 saw Paul Rigge take on Steve Jackson, a slightly more 1 sided event, with local favourite Paul taking out Steve in 2.

So a Paul Rigge vs Tim King final. Paul edged the first game at hoop 13. The 2nd game was a total change, with Tim dominating and winning 7-1. So all go for game 3. A cautious start, both players unwilling to take too many chances. Paul edged ahead and won 7-4, a worthy & popular winner.

Andrew Webb (Pendle) presents Paul Rigge with the 2019 Lancashire Open Golf Trophy.

In the plate, Jane Tewson won 2 of her 3 matches and took the title from Libby Dixon on net hoops. 

Andrew Webb of Pendle presents Jane Tewson with the Plate Trophy

A special mention to Will Drake, who those of us from Dulwich had not met before and were very surprised to realise he is 96 years old, something that clearly overwhelmed Peter Haydon, who lost 7-6 to him in the last game.

The four Ascot Cup qualifiers from Pendle are Paul Rigge, Tim King, Stephen Jackson and Paul Durkin.

All in all a thoroughly enjoyable weekend event, well run and hosted by Pendle & Craven Croquet Club.

Full results are available on Croquetscores website.

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