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Bury Crash Out at Ashby

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Longman Cup- Ashby beat Bury 5-2 by Tim King (24/07/07)

Richard Sanville (11) & Geoff Ellott (16) beat Malcolm Hardman (14) & Graham Saunders (16) +13; Tim King (4.5) lost to Justin Brightmore (11) -14; Jeremy Staley (10) beat Paul Kenworthy +4(T); King beat Kenworthy +9; Staley lost to Brightmore +22; Sanville beat Hardman +3(T); Ellott beat Saunders +3.

The seven game format proved, as so often, to provide an exciting day of croquet and the Ashby courts once again demonstrated excellent drainage properties with having no ill effect from recent downpours, although slightly less grass would have been ideal. The weather co-operated and the participants only endured a very few spots of rain. During the day, Brightmore played the best croquet for Bury and when he won in the afternoon, this took Bury back to one behind at 2-3. All the attention turned to the matches of Sanville-Hardman and Ellott-Saunders both on the same court and with plenty of changes of innings. Saunders was in good shape, having built a strong lead of nine hoops with both balls on rover. Ellott, however, began finally to discover some form and claw back, although Saunders did manage the first of his rover hoops. Meanwhile, Sanville had established a lead but Hardman began his recovery. For twenty minutes or so, Bury began to look good for a victory from behind. Ellott though sealed the win for Ashby despite being pegged out and a little later time ran out for the Hardman recovery to give a slightly generous scoreline for Ashby. In the quarter final, Ashby will play Fylde.

Colin Irwin Wins German Open

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Colin Irwin (Bowdon) won the 5th. German Open by Journe Vinnen at Hamburg (24/07/07)

This was the 4th. time that Colin dominated the Germans, winning three out of five games with a TP. Colin and Chris were happy to take the trophy – a carving of Croquet player in action – back to “it’s” place at their house. In the final Colin beat Martin Murray + 25 TP . Martin was not too unhappy to be the runner up since it was his best result in the Germans ever. Both of the finalists took part in every single German Open, a tournament to be played every two years since 1999. Places 3 and 4 were taken by Bruno Hess and Alexander Kirsten, both of them happy with their successfull participation (Bruno was a little bit happier though…).

With the prizegiving on Sunday a remarkable tournament ended: the sun shone over Saturdays games and allowed us to dine on the terras of Hotel Sullberg high up over the banks of Elbe river. Food and wines were delicious and maybee because of this beautiful evening everybody was shocked about Sunday mornings rain. Strings of rain poured out of a grey sky and soon all rain gear was soaked. Nevertheless the games went on and and after lunch the sun shone again and accompagnied us for the final stage of the tournament. Just after we finished prize giving a terrible thunderstorm that flooded hundreds of cellars in the western part of Hamburg made an lasting impression on the players.

The next German Open is scheduled for 2009 and we will do our best to offer another tournment with remarkable sportive and social aspects

John Filsak Wins Pendle Over 50’s

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John Filsak won the Pendle Over 50s by Patricia Duke-Cox (20/07/07)

Neither the low field of entry nor the prevailing wet weather conditions stopped the Pendle and Craven Over-50s tournament players enjoying a well run competition ably managed by John Filsak. The club provides several trophies that seem to encourage past players to return each year. At least two new entrants competed for the first time this year though. Fun elements included a trophy for fastest win, whilst Wharrad turns after 2.25 hours provided for interesting tactics and achievements. Three games a day was the norm and the catering was generous.

Awards were made to half of those attending and five also experienced a change in handicap.

The Pendle Rose Bowl (Advanced play, American block): Winner: John Filsak.
The Pennine Trophy (Handicap play, American block): Winner: Alice Fleck.
The Irish Cup (catch-all Egyptian competition): Winner: Patricia Duke-Cox.
The Egyptian Cup (fastest game): Winner: Roger Staples.
The Woodlands Plates (Handicap doubles, American block):
Winners: Bryan Saddington and Roger Staples.

Handicap changes: Alice Fleck: 10 to 9; Jonathan Isaacs: 4.5 to 4; Patricia Duke-Cox: 11 to 10; Roger Staples: 9 to 8; Janet Davies: 14 to 16.

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