Crake welcomed Advanced Association players from Bowdon, Fylde, Keswick, Middlesbrough, Nottingham and Penrith, in addition to two club members, to compete for the Cumbria Cup this weekend.

Two blocks of 6 saw Neil Adams (Crake Valley) and Andrew Killick (Middlesbrough) each achieve 4 wins. As a result of “who beat who” Andrew progressed to the final on his first visit to Crake.

In the other block another player making his first visit to the Club, Richard Huxley (Nottingham) achieved 4 wins along with Andrew Winn (Bowdon) and Lee Hartley (Fylde). “Who beat who” failed to provide the group winner so it was “hoop difference” that took Andrew though (plus 72).

Special mention should be made of 3 triples peels in the group stages, two by Neil Adams and one by Lee Hartley.

In the final Andrew K got off to a flyer but Andrew W responded well. Andrew W pegged out his opponent but could not quite achieve the comeback. The final score being 26-19.

Congratulations to Andrew Killick who is pictured holding the trophy alongside the full field of players.

Other pictures are general play from the weekend including the winners first attempt at pegging out his second ball in the final.

Teams of 6 from Croquet North and The North West Fed met at Pendle for the annual contest.

North – Andrew Killick (- 1 ½), Terry Vernazza (3),David Millener (6), Julian Gibson (c)(8), Nigel Durie (10) and Derek Johnson (12)

North West – Lee Hartley (-1), John Henderson (5) Chris Alvey (8), Betty Bates (8), Anne Alvey (10 and Libby Dixon (12) (Non-playing Captain Liz Wilson)

The three morning  advanced doubles paired 1 with 6, 2 with 5 and 3 with 4.  John and Anne saw off Terry and Nigel in record time winning 26 – 0 and Chris and Betty did pretty much the same thing against David and Julian 26 – 3.  The other game featuring the minus players was far more tactical with Lee and Libby beating Andrew and Derek 26 – 9.  So 3 nil to the North West at lunch.

In the afternoon the first 4 pairings played level advanced with the final two pairings playing handicap.  First to finish was Lee vs Andrew 26 – 9.  The next to finish was Terry vs John which went to the North East 26 – 9.  Chris Alvey then produced the match deciding win against David Millener again winning 26 – 9. 

The other three games all went to time and were very close and exciting.  Libby beat Derek 26 – 21 in the time turn.  Julian beat Betty 20 – 18 and Anne beat Nigel 18 – 16.  The final score 7 – 2 to The North West but it could easily have been 5 – 4!