Wet and Enjoyable Southport May Handicap – 24/25 May 2014

Croquet players in Victoria Park welcomed the better weather on Sunday with great relief.  On Saturday, the first day of the May Croquet Handicap, had been marred by extreme rain and the lawns were carrying sufficient surface water to attract a group of ducks! Players had come from Nailsea, Bowdon, Fylde and of course Southport, to take part in this traditional tournament.  The Saturday weather only enabled two rounds of Croquet to be played and two of these games were abandoned.  However, after a further squelchy round on Sunday morning, the Manager, John Haslam, was able to sort out two clear leaders, both from the home club – Barbara Haslam, (recently returned from play in America) and Alan Farrell, (stalwart Captain of Southport Midweek Handicap team).  The final was an interesting affair, with Alan was showing excellent form and was several hoops to the good, when an incautious mallet stroke wedged his shot and Barbara made some good progress after striking his colours away. But with both his clips on the peg there was only one realistic outcome. This is the third tournament Alan has entered and he received a loud burst of applause as he raised his mallet to celebrate this his first tournament victory.