A TRIUMPHANT RETURN CONTINUED
The winners get their names engraved on the Mick Webb Trophy, Mark’s name is already on it several times, but this will be the first time Jane’s name appears there, and that is what makes this story rather special. Mick and Jane were friends, and there was something quite emotional about seeing Jane return to the game after 20 years and, on her first attempt back, put her name on the trophy that bears the name of someone she knew and cared about. It was a pleasure to watch. Not just because of the result, but because of the sheer joy and fun Jane found in playing again — something she wasn’t even sure she wanted to do when she first mentioned it last year. Twenty years ago……..one introductory session; a remarkably smooth swing; a few games; plenty of laughter; one slightly overpowered peg-out and a place on the trophy…… I think Mick would have been proud. And, knowing him, he’d probably have had something to say about Mark taking the paint off the peg as well.
There was plenty of friendly ribbing and chat throughout the game, which made it exactly what it should be, fun! And that was how all their games went. They encouraged each other, identified suboptimal shots (mainly Mark’s) and, most importantly for me, laughed. The final saw Mark and Jane up against another strong partnership. It was a close game, and Jane eventually pegged her ball out, leaving Mark with the opportunity to do the same. Unfortunately, he uncharacteristically missed from about three yards, running off the south boundary at considerable pace. Because the game is played in colour order, the opposition then had two turns before Mark could play again. When his turn finally came, Mark headed towards his ball, looked at me and said: “I’d better peg out then…” Which, to be fair, he did… from the south boundary…with so much force that he took paint off the peg……subtlety has never been Mark’s strongest croquet skill.
THE RUBBER DUCK SNUGGLE Here is a picture of one of our new Ealing Croquet Club members, Beverley Doyle, just finishing her GC Strategy course. The final test was to do a 'Snuggle' shot so the ball comes to rest exactly in front of a rubber duck! Which she achieved first time!
Course run by club coaches Tom Hartwell and Lindy Jordan.
Tom Hartwell
www.croquetengland.org.uk | 8
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