Wiltshire GC Open Series 13‐14 JULY 2024
Janet Trueman (Hamptworth CC) 12 players, ranging from handicap ‐4 to 2 arrived at Hamptworth to start this two day tournament and thankfully the weather was (for once!) on our side. The Manager (Richard Jenkins) had divided the players into two blocks on day one, playing five 19 point games. In Block A Stuart M Smith (Budleigh) emerged having won all five games, followed by Louise Smith (Budleigh) on four wins, dropping just one game to husband, Stuart. Richard Gardiner (Dowlish Wake) on three wins was joined by Ian Shore (High Wycombe) on two wins to go forward to the next day's main knock out. In Block B Steve Leonard (East Dorset) won all five of his games and with Hamptworth's Tim O'Donnell winning three games, this left three players each with two wins to be sorted on net hoops, with Neil Humphries (Chichester) and Stephen Custance‐Baker (Taunton) going through.
The players at Hamptworth Croquet Club
For the second day, the manager chose the format of best of three 13 point games for the main knock out, resulting in Stuart Smith beating Neil Humphreys (7/4;6/7;7/5) while Richard Gardiner overcame Tim O'Donnell (7/6;7/2). Louise Smith knocked out Stephen Custance‐Baker (7/2;7/4) and Steve Leonard triumphed over Ian Shore (7/6; 2/7;7/3). Meanwhile, in the Shield competition, Tim O'Donnell beat Neil Humphreys (7/5) and went on to meet Ian Shore, who had won over Stephen Custance‐Baker (7/3). Ian then went on to beat Tim for the Shield in a 19 point game (10/8). Jon Carrington (Broadwas) won the Plate against Les Heard (Wrest Park) (7/5;7/2) having overcome David Russell (Chichester) (7/3/7/6) to meet Les who had beaten Lynn Pearcy (Roehampton) on an uncharacteristic off‐day (7/6;7/3). Back in the main knock out, the semi‐finals saw some very tight and exciting games from all qualifiers. Stuart Smith squeaked a win over Richard Gardiner (7/6; 4/7; 7/6) with Richard losing the final game on hoop 13 by peeling Stuart's red ball through. Meanwhile, in the other semi‐final Steve Leonard was tussling with Louise to win a very tight match (6/7; 7/6;7/5). So with spectators narrowly denied a husband/wife final,
it was left to Stuart to face good friend and regular combatant, Steve, in the final with Steve emerging triumphant (7/3; 2/7; 7/4) thus providing Steve with his first win in a final against Stuart and denying Stuart the opportunity of his third Wiltshire Cup win. Unfortunately the Manager (and his assistant!) spent the weekend trying to physically distance themselves from players as they struggled against the onset of a feverish cough and cold, This meant they avoided joining the Saturday evening meal for players at the local Indian restaurant. Fortunately, Steve Hayns (Ryde) who had come to Hamptworth to watch the tournament, very kindly stepped in to act as tournament referee. Louise Smith did a sterling job introducing the Croquet Scores programme to Hamptworth via a “tethered link” so hopefully we will manage to input results direct ourselves in the future. Many thanks to all players, congratulations to Steve Leonard and special thanks to Louise, Steve Hayns ‐ and the gazebo working party.
Winner, Steve Leonard
www.croquetengland.org.uk | 29
Made with FlippingBook. PDF to flipbook with ease