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Executive Summary – Autumn Federation Club Meeting 2011

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Summary of Federation Autumn Club Meeting (5 Nov 2011 by Tony Thomas):

38 people attended the NWFCC Autumn Meeting at Culcheth on Saturday 5 November. The meeting agreed changes to the committee, new league rules for 2012 and agreed tournament dates for next year.

The meeting received reports from each committee member and then progress reports from the clubs. Retiring chairman David Barrett presented the league trophies to the successful clubs.

Liz Wilson was elected new chairperson replacing David Barrett who was not eligible to stand having served three years. Former Secretary Ian Lines has relocated and his position remains vacant. Tony Thomas will carry out the role on a temporary basis until a volunteer comes forward. Bob Connop was elected Treasurer with former treasurer, Peter Wilson, agreeing to serve as Federation Auditor. All other positions remain as before. The meeting also agreed to co-opt David Barrett onto the committee.

Some changes to league rules were agreed for 2012 – updating rule 8b defining scores for ‘walkover’ games, clarification of rule 23a explaining doubles pairing in Golf Croquet matches, rewriting rule 2b on procedures for postponed matches (two weeks to agree a new date or concede the match).

Dates were agreed for various events in 2012 and these are listed in the Diary column on this page.

Club subscriptions for 2012 remain as £20 and are due now.

Date of next meeting: 3 March, 10.00 am at Culcheth.

Clubs are asked to: (a) Ensure league team entry forms are with the League Manager by 31 Dec 11. (b) Ensure Ken Cooper has any amendments for the Croquet North leaflet by 28 Feb 12 (c) Keep the Federation Secretary informed of any changes to club contacts. (d) Keep the webmaster informed of any club events, tournaments, etc for inclusion in the web diary.

Young North West Star Wins All England (by Julie Horsley & Brian Shorney, 18/09/11)

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Adam Swinton (aged 14) Wins the AC All England Handicap (by Julie Horsley & Brian Shorney, 18/09/11)

Adam Swinton from Bowdon receives the All England trophy
The finals of The All England Handicap, played at the Sidmouth Croquet Club on the weekend of the 17th and 18th September, were won in impressive fashion by fourteen year-old Adam Swinton from Bowdon.

On Saturday sixteen competitors from four Area Finals, with handicaps ranging from scratch to 20, played in 4 blocks of All Play All, Full Bisque Play to Base 10. A combination of very good lawns and positive play resulted in most games finishing within the 3 hour time limit. Three of the blocks had outright winners: Andy Brandwood (20), Bury; Jamie Angus (7), Sussex County; and Adam Swinton (14), Bowdon. The remaining block was won by Alan Clark (11) from Watford as a result of his narrow win over Dyffryn’s Peter Balchin (12).

In addition to the semi-finals and final on Sunday all players played to determine placings. In the semi-finals Andy Brandwood beat Alan Clark +4 and Adam Swinton beat Jamie Angus +18. The final was a repeat of the North West Area Final between Adam and Andy. After a close early battle, the very talented and well-coached teenager’s greater experience came through and he won + 11 on time. But considering Andy had only been playing a few months and had played just a handful of competitive games before this event, his play throughout the weekend was most impressive. Without doubt, both finalists showed a great deal of promise and should enjoy much future success.

Adam Swinton Wins All England Regional Final (by Barbara Dutton 04/09/12)

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Youth Conquers All in All England (by Barbara Dutton 04/09/11)

All England regional final players – Adam Swinton far left

The All England Area Finals was played over the weekend of Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th September. Eight contestants, all of whom had won their places in their clubs’ internal competitions played during the season, competed for the honour of representing the North West in the finals in Sidmouth, Devon in a fortnight’s time. The number of players from any club depends on how many entered the internal competitions, bigger clubs able to enter more players, thus Bowdon fielded 4 players, Bury 2, Fylde 1 and Pendle 1. There were 6 men and 2 women and competition was keen. The weather was unkind on the Saturday with all players getting a drenching but on Sunday things changed and a beautiful warm, sunny day made the lawns play faster and cheered the players. The competition is to be one of the top three in the final result. In the end Adam Swinton from Bowdon came top with 4 wins from 5 matches, three players tied for the other 2 places each winning 3 of their 5 games: Andy Broadwood from Bury, Barrie Mckenzie from Bowdon and Robin Delves from Pendle. Robin just missed out on the points scored so he will take no further part this year. The others travel to Sidmouth to compete with other regional finalists on 17th and 18th September. Youth conquered all here, the overall winner, Adam Swinton (extreme left in picture) is just 14 years old. A great prospect for the future.

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