NWFCC MILLENNIUM SHORT CROQUET 2015 (Sponsored by Aspire-TS, Newcastle Upon Tyne).

The tournament was a one day individual singles short lawn event held on Saturday 30th May 2015 the games limited to 75 Minutes base 4.

The emphasis on a friendly competition with players wearing their Federation Colours.  In addition to Fylde’s entries, clubs sent players from Bowdon, Bury, Chester, Penrith and Westmorland.  The general tenor of the event is friendly competition and suitable for newcomers to tournaments but also the experienced players may feel at home here. The weather cool and Sunny, the food warm and homely.

Following on from a three round block eliminator, in the semi finals, last years runner up Mike Miller from Chester beat Bowdon’s John Lucas and David Lloyd from Westmorland beat the experienced Chris Evans from Bowdon.

With the spectators in place enjoying their afternoon teas the final started and Mike soon took a chance to get his first ball to the peg. The game took an exciting turn when David responded with a great break and pegged Mike’s first ball out of the game. And so, much to the interest of those watching, the cat and mouse started, David established a three point lead. Then with sharp tactical awareness took a chance to enter a two ball end game. Now with his back to the wall and time running out Mike made the shot of the day with a fourteen yard roll to hoop two which he then ran to the boundary leaving a rush to hoop three which he also made. He managed to get to ten feet in front of hoop four, if he could run this he would be level and, with being in play, have the advantage, but it was a big ask and in missing the shot retained the runners up trophy for a second year.

A good result for David in his first year. His play is improving rapidly, he looks the part and we look forward to seeing him back next year to defend the trophy.