PENDLE & CRAVEN MIDWEEK TOURNAMENT – Dave Kibble retains the Rose Bowl.
See all match details at Croquet Scores: https://croquetscores.com/2021/ac/pendle-craven/rose-bowl
Paul Rigge triggers to minus one and a half. Croquet welcomed Richard Harding back, playing smooth Croquet after a long absence from the game.
The week resolved four tournaments. Covid had reduced the number entering and so things were not as flexible as they are usually were. Therefore the Addict Trophy for the most games was re-branded for this year as the Peeling Bonanza Trophy. This did cause some variation in play as some rivalry was generated, especially from the high low doubles pairings.
A special mention is due to Tom Dewar who came as a spectator for the first two days but assisted in the catering and lawn maintenance throughout his time here. A second special mention to Roger Staples Fruit Salad. Unanimously voted the best fruit salad we ever tasted. Croquet lore says eating of the fruit salad improves your game and Roger has clearly eaten of the fruit salad recently, being half of the winning doubles side with Paul Rigge and winning the B Class (albeit by 1 Sonneborn–Berger point).
While the rest of the country was awash with rain and low pressure Pendle was bathed in Sunshine.
Some other stuff happened too:
Richard received a loud spontaneous round of applause for his roquet jump shot over hoop one.
At the end of day two, opponents and spectators fell silent at the ending of a doubles match. Lorna had been pegged out Steve then out drilled out a ball from the jaws of penult from 18 yards. What followed was a magnificent three ball break to the peg and box to win the game.
However in his next game with time called and the balls in all the corners Steve hit a 14 yarder and then a thin take off from hoop three to inside the ball at corner four. That ball was rushed to corner one and then that one to hoop seven which was run. From there, a four ball break to peg out.
Photo shows Ken Jones trialing the latest technique for determining a wiring lift:
The manager, Liz Wilson, must get a mention for the choreography of four trophies accommodating several players only coming for two days and therefore two tournament meals at the Jade Palace. In addition the Euros semi final with England involved had to be factored in with a nice early finish on that day.