NW Federation Millennium AC Advanced
21/22 August 2020 at Pendle & Craven Croquet Club
Sixteen players, sent by their clubs in the NW Federation to compete in this, the ‘Local Friendly Advanced Tournament’ against the people they meet in the local league teams…well that’s the idea anyway.
What we actually got was only fifteen competitors – one had to withdraw at 4am Saturday morning due to Government Covid Lockdown being slapped onto his borough but the rest were all desperate to play some competitive Advanced Croquet this year. The morning also brought other surprises – Storm ‘Ellen’ had ripped & shredded the Marquee into a heap, it was going to provide ‘socially distanced’ C-19 cover to the entries and two flooded lawns – plans of mice & men, etc.
With a mixture of multiple Cars & Sheds, sufficient rain shelter was available on a wet first day to comply with restrictions in place for the out-players. Play in the two stage blocks (A & B) progressed throughout the day as all four courts were restored to playable condition before noon. Dodging the showers by close on the first day ‘A’ flight had completed four rounds, with three credited to the ‘B’s.
Sunday brought brighter weather and the completion of the top flight’s all-play-all collimating in the ‘final’ between the two unbeaten contenders.
There can be only one winner and the ‘Neil Williams’ returns back to Bowdon in the happy hands of John-Paul Moberly this year.
After Five rounds in the ‘B’, the only unbeaten player…Lorna Dewar.
Thanks are due to the entire Pendle team for the successful hosting: Gill, Peter, Abdul & Riggey on Thursday. Abdul, Robin, Paul D & Riggey on Friday and of course Abdul for managing the players over the weekend.
The efforts put in by the Pendle brigade and the Fed’n administrators for putting the show on despite the withdrawals,, dislocation of social wellbeing, weather, collapsing marquee and rain is to be admired. Whilst not all Fed’n participants may be aware, these events are for the players and clubs alike and goes along way to the well being of the Fed’n.
Even if you are amongst the also rans you have an opportunity (which does not arise often) to see the best of the local rising stars.
P.S/ I was amongst the also rans.