ALTERNATE STROKES, ALTERNATE SCORING SYSTEM, SOMETHING FOR THE FUTURE??
DAVID CORNES Croquet Sports Journalist Reporting on the changes ahead
Crake Valley Croquet Club’s first annual tournament, the “AC Alternate Strokes” , was held at the end of April. Traditionally, the format has been two blocks of 4 pairs “all play all”, with the respective block winners contesting the final. For 2025 it was decided to experiment with a new scoring system aimed at encouraging more attacking play throughout. Why Change? To fit three 18‐point block games and a final in one day is a challenge, although achievable by limiting the time to 100 minutes per game “dead stop”. Typically, the pair making the first break to rover wins each game, due to the limited time left for the opposing pair to respond and the “ease” in maintaining a lead through defensive tactics.
Rick Harding (Nottingham) in action at Crake
Consideration was necessary, therefore, as to how best to entice each pair to go for hoops and build a break if possible. Feedback shows players want to be on the lawn a fair proportion of their time and to have a 50/50 chance of winning. What changed? Almost everything! From bisque allocation, the “first” hoop to be run and the score recording system to determine the block winners. Bisque allocation: For 2025, the maximum handicap as a starting point was set at 20 per player. Stage One: adjust to 18‐point games (as per page 118 of the 7th edition Laws) Stage Two: take the average of the pair Stage Three: reduction of 40% per pair for the time limit of 100 minutes Stage Four: BASE ZERO for ALL pairs in all their games irrespective of the opposition
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