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Riggey Wins Millenium LPG but Trophy in Lockdown

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Federation Millenium Level Play Golf Croquet – Pendle, 10 October 2020

Fed Millenium LPG Winner Paul Rigge

The only place in the country where competitive croquet was being played this deep into the autumn, yeap, Pendle & Craven Croquet Club. They hosted the Millennium Level play Golf Croquet after Bury decided to hand the opportunity over.

With the pandemic raging again & infection numbers rising across the NW (and indeed the whole UK), croquet players collected in Earby to contest the last of the Federation’s own tournaments.

Fresh hoop holes on all the courts, tight match play hoops, stop boards, plus all the Covid paraphernalia (‘owned’ chairs, one way systems, hand/ball/clip wipes…..etc) were laid on by the Pendle and Craven Croquet club – again setting the standard in preparation for which it is so well known.

Format for the single day (reduced to such as a nod to C-19, no need for hotels) was Block play with each round being 19pt. Some really hard fought games were viewed and enjoyed by the few spectators present. Mention must be made of two players, one from Fylde & the other from Westmorland – both playing in their very first Croquet Tournaments – exactly typifying why these events are promoted by your Federation, to give a gentle ‘open door’ to this world with and against your mates. What a great fun day in bright sunshine was enjoyed by all.

So saying that, it was a tournament, so there must be a winner – this year’s Champion; Paul Rigge. (seen in the picture NOT holding the trophy – that is still in total Covid Lockdown elsewhere). 

Millenium LPG at Pendle

Neil Adams Wins Short Croquet Millenium

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North West Federation Short AC Millenium Competition
Saturday 29 August 2020 at Crake Valley Croquet Club

2020 Federation Short AC Millenium Players at Crake Valley

The bank holiday was a busy time for croquet at Crake Valley. On Saturday 29 August, twelve croquet players from six clubs in the north west played the North West Federation’s Short Lawn AC Millennium Competition.

After 3 group matches, there was only one player with 3 wins and seven with 2 wins so hoop difference was important. In the Semi finals Barbara Young (Bury) overcame John Henderson (Penrith) 12-8 and Neil Adams (Westmorland) beat Ian Theakstone (Fylde) 14-1.

In the final Neil used his additional bisques very well giving Barbara only a few chances on the lawn, before he won 14-5. It was Neils first experience of competitive play and his handicap was reduced from 5 to 4. In the 3rd place play off John beat Ian 14-7.

Many thanks to Tournament Manager, David Cornes, and Referee, Jim Allcock, as well as all the helpers that made this enjoyable event run smoothly. The tournament showed how competitive croquet can be played in a pleasant manner and good company.

Croquet at Crake Valley (Federation Short AC Millenium Tournament 2020)

Storm Ellen Defeated by Croquet Millenium

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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.

JP Moberley receives the Millenium AC A Trophy from Paul Rigge

After Five rounds in the ‘B’, the only unbeaten player…Lorna Dewar.

Lorna Dewar receives the Millenium AC B Trophy from Paul Rigge with Manager Abdul Ahmad.

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.

Paul Rigge

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