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BREAKING NEWS ARCHIVE 5/05/03 - MAY-WEEKEND
Bowdon's first CA Event of the year, the Reed
Cup, was won by Richard Griffiths of Bowdon.
Report by Dr. Andrew Winn
Saturday 3rd
The last weather forecast I had heard before the weekend promised a mixture
of heavy rain, wet weather, rain and showers - at least there was the prospect
of some variety. So it was with great relief that the tournament got off
to a dry start beneath skies of a cheery light grey. Rumour has it that part
way through the morning’s play someone on Lawn 4 briefly cast a shadow.
Predictions of an impending deluge, and the smell of tar from the recently
established Bowdon Ark Supplies Ltd, did not deter visitors from far and
wide; it was a great pleasure to welcome competitors from Southport, Shrewsbury,
Tyneside, High Wycombe and Downham in Norfolk.
All 24 competitors were well looked after in the culinary department –
Victoria Taylor and her team ensured a plentiful supply of tea, coffee, biscuits
and cakes, and a wonderful lunch of Thai curry, chicken and mushroom creamy
stew, quiche, meats and salad greeted hungry players after their morning
endeavours. Bowls of sweets provided sufficient energy to make it from the
dining room to the kitchen. (I haven’t dared get on the scales since). The
tournament managers, Lorna Frost and Ailsa Lines, kept things running smoothly
and ensured a constant flow of eager combatants onto the pristine lawns.
With eight games in progress at any one time and waiting players partaking
in much merriment and ribaldry in the clubhouse, the atmosphere as experienced
by a tournament newbie like myself was that of a friendly festival of croquet.
The prospect of a limerick competition on the Sunday evening resulted in
feverish scribbling in dark corners – winning a game ran the risk of lyrical
character assassination.
Outside, Sylvia Steer (Bowdon) played a blistering game to beat Brian
Christmas (Shrewsbury) +26, while next to a forest of bisques sat Alan Linton
(Bowdon), watching newcomer Richard Griffiths (Bowdon) trundle effortlessly
around the hoops. Having already beaten Roger Deacon (Bowdon) +26 earlier
in the day, Richard won with nine and a half bisques still standing, despite
having recently had his handicap chopped from 24 to 18. Even at this early
stage it was clear that Richard was a rapid improver of high order, and as
fear spread through the ranks of lesser mortals, dark storm clouds loomed
over the horizon. The rain had arrived.
The sporadic showers of the afternoon did little to dampen the festival
spirit. John Saxby (Bowdon) grinned like a Cheshire Cat having beaten John
Wilkinson (Bowdon) +1, while Andrew Winn (Bowdon) was happy to survive an
encounter with the scary Sylvia ‘you can’t possibly be scared of me’ Steer.
Believe me, she’s scary – if only when wielding a mallet.
Sunday 4th
Bad weather forecasts? Don’t believe a word of it. All you need is 24
swinging mallets and excellent food prepared by Jean Teare and Jane Wilkinson
and the clouds beat a hasty retreat. I was far too busy playing croquet and
enjoying myself to make notes on what went on you’ll just have to take my
word for it that all was very enjoyable. (if you are interested in the actual
scores please click here
).
Monday 5th
The top eight players from the preceding days took part in a knockout
tournament today, starting at the unearthly hour of 8 o’clock.
“I’ll see you later, when it’s daytime” Andrew Winn said to Lorna ‘The
Boss’ Frost. Sporting surprised countenances, a variety of nocturnal creatures
scampered, flew and slithered home as Andrew and John Saxby shuffled towards
Lawn 4. Andrew won +18 before either player was properly awake.
On the adjacent Lawn 3, Barbara Haslam (Southport) gave a superb performance
against Ailsa, completing the ‘double’ of beating both minus handicappers
by +26. The unstoppable Richard Griffiths powered relentlessly past Sylvia
Steer +26 on Lawn 1, and the fourth quarter-final saw a gripping ending on
Lawn 2 as Alan Linton pulled out the last of David Turner’s (Tyneside) bisques
to win +2 on time. Other notable victories include Mike Steer (Bowdon) +
11 against John Wastell (Bowdon), and Lorna Frost +16 against Charles Harding
(Bowdon).
As late morning approached, the semi-finals got underway. Alan Linton
once again pulled bisques for Richard Griffiths, with Richard winning +20.
Andrew Winn beat Barbara Haslam +11 in a tense game where Barbara was staging
a strong comeback.
Lunch at last! This third day of impressive cooking was lead by Dee Wastell
and Sue Cooper, with special thanks to Pam Sword and all those who made such
splendid cakes during the weekend.
All thoughts of the pessimistic weather forecasts were long gone as people
gathered to watch the final in cool but bright sunshine. Richard Griffiths
played Andrew Winn, both as yet unbeaten in the tournament. The pressures
of the final appeared to be telling on Richard as he used bisques at an alarming
rate, until his nerves settled and normal service was resumed – he went
right to peg. Andrew managed a long hit-in and equally long rush to within
a few feet of hoop 1, but a pitiful take-off resulted in a near impossible
hoop angle and Richard took to the lawn for the last turn of the match.
All was not plain sailing however, as errors caused Richard to run out of
bisques with 9 hoops and the peg-out left to do. Like a tightrope walker
without a safety net, Richard entertained the crowd with a splendid break
to win +26. Well done Richard!
Closing speeches and thanks were given by Lorna Frost and Bowdon’s President
Sheila Black, and all agreed that it had been a great weekend’s croquet.
Bowdon Ark Supplies Ltd. has since ceased trading.
Andrew Winn
For photos and individual match scores
click here
.