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Fed Players Involved in Inter Counties Golf Croquet Championship Win

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Inter Counties GC Shield – Cheltenham – 21/22 August


Division 2 of the Inter Counties GC Shield was played at Cheltenham over the weekend of 21st and 22nd August and a CA “Select” team included North West players David Cornes (Crake Valley) and Jack Good (Bowdon) along with Michael Bilton (Gainsborough), Charles Sale (Ealing) and Eleanor Ross (Edgbaston).

The format was all play all with a doubles and 6 singles games against each County. After 7 games the Select had won 6 of them to win the tournament on the day.  

During discussions during the weekend we found out that Eleanor is also eligible to play for Lancashire (along with David and Jack) so there seems a strong case to enter a team from the region in 2022 when it is held in Sussex.

From the CA Website:

Inter-County GC division 2 Championship 2021
by Ivor Brand at Cheltenham 25th August (GC – Championships)

Justice was done in more ways than one!!!

I will explain myself firstly with reference to last year’s final positions and the disappointment of the lack of promotion due to ‘Covid’ reasons. Fortunately, despite three teams having equal wins it was the same two counties that again qualified for promotion, albeit they could only be separated on who beat who, phew!!!

GC Inter-County Championship Division 2 MatchesTestsGamesHoops
WinsLossesDrawsWinsLossesForAgainstNet
CA Select610321728223547
Hertfordshire520311829024842
Oxfordshire520311828724839
Buckinghamshire520292027924732
Devon3402326267280-13
Gloucestershire3401930250264-14
Leicestershire1601633229295-66
Berkshire0701534224291-67

However, at this point I must explain my second point of justice, which was that the CA select team (my tip for winning by the way) finished at the top of the table and were recognised as deserved champions, despite not being able to be promoted as they were not a ‘county’ as the tournament conditions dictate. Congratulations to Michael Biliton who led his team of experience (Charles Sale & David Cornes) and youth (Jack Good & Ellie Ross) to victory.

I look forward to seeing ‘most’ of you again next year at ‘sunny’ Southwick where at least Oxfordshire will not be able to keep me from the pub by playing on till 8pm on the Saturday!!!

Ged Wins North West All England Croquet Heat

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Gediminas Smolskas won the A/C All England Area Final at Bury 21/22 August 2021

Gediminas Smolskas

Although Bury CC gave him a handicap adjustment to 14 just before the tournament Ged remained the bookies favourite to take a qualifying place in the final. Phil Snowden (Fylde CC) took the other place on offer. 

While many a good game was played the best rumble was between Ged and Phil in the final round played in strong Sunshine. It provided wonderful entertainment for the spectators: Ged was on 5 and peg, Phil on 1 and 1 when Phil got in and pegged Ged out. The ensuing three ball ending between these two talented players ( each with one bisque remaining) was a treat to watch. Both players favoured the direct break building approach without much hiding, lurking or taking pos. 

With Phil on peg and peg time was called Ged hit in from distance (This was the only game in the weekend that went to time). He made 10 and 11 and faced a shot to run Rover which would win the game +1, however it only jawsed, leaving the scores tied. Phil missed a 10 yarder at the peg and Ged ran the trivial Rover to take a clean sweep and an automatic handicap reduction.

Commiserations to Richard Leach (Bury CC) in third place who has a relaxed style and plays with a fast steady rhythm that is a pleasure to see.

The Coronation Park Venue was in terrific shape with the hoops set perfectly and the lawns playing reasonably easily. Jean Hargreaves made the tournament management look effortlessly easy. (Personal note: making this one of the most enjoyable I have played). Roger Schofield and Alan Moreton also made some fine play during the event.

This historic tournament has been running for almost one hundred years. First won in 1923 by J B Hubbard. It provides a wonderful experience for new tournament players who can experience the challenges of competition and also learn etiquette and possibly some of the finer points of the Laws as they play.

If your club has a rapid improver or two and you do not regularly enter, please take some time, perhaps at your next AGM, to consider organising a qualifying internal tournament and entering. Your young stars will thank you for their chance.

Lou Pell Wins Fed 2021 Millenium Hcp Golf Croquet

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Simon Robins (Crake Chair) presents Lou Pell with Millenium GC Hcp Trophy

The North West Federation Millenium Handicap Golf Tournament featured 12 players (handicaps 7 to 12) from seven different clubs – Westmorland, Chester, Fylde, Penrith, Pendle & Craven, Crake Valley & Bury

A heavy soaking of the lawns the night before meant they ran slow to start but speeded up as the sun smiled and the standard of play was high.

2 blocks of 6 meant everybody got 5 games at the end of which it was calculated who had won most games and most hoops if equal to determine semi finalists

Howard Bowron (Penrith & North Lakes), despite giving free shots galore being a 2 handicapper, still managed to get to the semis where he succumbed to Chester’s Tom Grievson 4-7. The other semi was contested between David Carpenter, of Pendle & Craven, losing out to Fylde’s Lou Pel also 4-7.

Tom and Lou then contested the final, watched by all competitors, with Lou coming out the eventual winner 7-4 !

2 trophies were awarded, one to be given back next year and another that Lou will keep for ever presented by Simon Robbins

A big thank you to Sandra Cornes who ran the tournament in a truly beautiful location.

(Some additional information provided by David Cornes)

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