SIDMOUTH GC CONTINUED The Quarter‐finals went largely to seeding, though not without drama. Coward, a&er falling 0–3 behind against Bateman, regrouped superbly to win 7–3. The Semi‐finals proved more one‐sided: Arbos defeated Nicholas 7–2, while Coward matched that scoreline against Flay. Meanwhile, the Plate knockout provided its own spectacle. Several matches finished 7–6 before Naomi Whitehead, unlucky to miss out on the main draw, sealed a well‐ deserved Plate victory over Paul New (Budleigh) 7‐4. The stage was then set for a heavyweight Final between top seed Coward and third seed Arbos. Both started strongly, trading hoops, but Coward soon found an extra gear. His accurate hoop‐running and clever tac6cal play opened up a decisive lead. Arbos ba7led gamely but could not claw back the deficit, and Coward closed out the match 7–3 at hoop 10. Victory gave Coward his second B‐Level Series win of the season and confirmed his place in the Na6onal Final at Budleigh on 20–21 September. THANKS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The weekend was made all the more enjoyable by fine weather, a suppor6ve crowd, and the hard work of the Sidmouth grounds team in preparing the courts. Thanks also go to the club’s volunteers and members, whose enthusiasm created a lively atmosphere across both days. Special recogni6on is due to Philip Harris, who efficiently managed both tournaments ‐ keeping play running smoothly and ensuring all compe6tors enjoyed their 6me at Sidmouth Croquet Club. 98 AND STILL RUNNING HOOPS By Roy Spencer Bury Croquet Club member Jean Oldfield celebrated her 98th birthday on Thursday 24th July, and as can be seen below is s6ll running hoops. Jean, who has been a member of the club for at least 25 years, regularly a7ends the Tuesday and Thursday a&ernoon club GC sessions, and ac6vely plays a number of compe66ve games. She expects and gives no quarter! Unsurprisingly, she is finding distance shots a li7le more difficult these days, but her hoop running remains extremely accurate and she never ceases to amaze fellow members with some of the shots she pulls off. Naturally Jean spent the special day with her family, so a small celebra6on was held at the club two days earlier, when members presented her with a bunch of flowers and a bo7le of sherry (her favourite 6pple), and shared cakes with her.
B‐Level Winner Adrian Coward with Manager Philip Harris
B‐Level Plate Winner Naomi Whitehead with Manager Philip Harris
Interes6ngly Jean is also an accomplished ar6st, and she painted "At Play", the picture on the wall behind her, which she kindly presented to the club a few years ago. Everyone at the club is extremely fond and proud of Jean, and full of admira6on for her. Many happy returns Jean!
www.croquetengland.org.uk | 21
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator