National Short Croquet Singles

[<<] [>>] by Tim King at Roehampton
12th October 2000 (Other News)

For the second successive Saturday, Short Croquet saw the competition for a national title by representatives of only three clubs. The fuel crisis had scuppered the plans of two members of Cheltenham at the last moment. However, the lack of entrants had been a problem long before the petrol restrictions.

Saturday 16 September was the day for the National Short Croquet Singles tournament. In many respects, the team and singles events were similar. The weather was again overcast but mild, the hosts were welcoming and supportive and, most of all, the competition was good spirited and enthralling.

The Roehampton Club was a splendid setting and for the newcomers, the quality of the turf was a revelation. A large proportion of the country's population must have domestic carpets that fail to meet the quality of the Club's lawns. Furthermore, the ground-staff had dealt with the unusual hazard of the grass being underwater at 9:00 the evening before!

Everyone arrived in time to start promptly at 10:00; the eventual entry of six players led to a five-round, all-play-all format, which threatened a full day. However, the quality of play was exceptional a relatively small number of games went to time.

The re-laid Lawn 2 (full-size) has pride of place and players on the two half lawns there were able to enjoy roll of the utmost consistency. A large number of long peels and peg outs were accomplished. The Buttery and Bar offered a brief diversion at lunchtime but everyone returned with vigour and without delay to recommence.

The finale for the day was perfect, although one player was too well aware and his opponent in ignorance. As the other games finished, King and Sanville were left in a tight battle, relatively new Ashby member versus his club handicapper, respectively. King had observed the victory of Barbara Young in her final game and knew this left him needing to win in order to claim the trophy.

The chips were down as Sanville reached peg with both balls but had to lay up. King did make his shortfall of four points and a rover peel to draw level with all balls on peg but he then fractionally missed the vital chance to roquet and peg out one opponent ball. In reply, Sanville failed to deliver the killer blow by only pegging out a single ball. However, as Barbara Young averted her eyes, King was unable to make a long knock in and the day had gone to the wire as Sanville's resultant victory (14-12) gave the trophy to Barbara. Her husband Geoff was runner up by dint of victory over King in their earlier game.

The bystanders at this stage, Dyffryn contributed with great skill to the tournament. Mackay and Trickey were the two class players on display. Twice Mackay showed supreme creativity and confidence to set up chances to peg out opponent balls; the final execution slipped past both times but the young have the time to dwell on and improve plans that go awry. His next opponents have been warned!

Without wishing to be pedantic, the only minor issue in an otherwise excellent day was that members of a single club had to oppose each other in a critical game. Managers may care to note that these same club games should not occur in the final round of a tournament in order to avoid any claims of impropriety.

The whole event was undoubtedly and wonderfully enhanced by the presence of Douglas Gurney as an unflappable Tournament Manager and Paul MacDonald as the Referee. These two gentlemen embody the history of Croquet and tales of the 14-lawn heyday of Roehampton evoked an inspiring memory for the younger participants in the tournament.

Surely, the clubs can find the energy to participate in future years rather than leave national Short Croquet competitions as the subject for those who live long with long memories?

The results:
1. Barbara Young (Bury) 4 wins
2. Geoff Young (Bury) 3 wins
3. Tim King (Ashby) 3 wins
4. Richard Sanville (Ashby) 2 wins
5. James Mackay (Dyffryn) 2 wins
6. Adrian Trickey (Dyffryn)