[<<] [>>] by Terrey Sparks at Colchester Croquet Club
7 Jul 2011 (AC - Handicap)

Neil Chalmers won the Colchester Mid-Week Handicap

Event 1 Handicap Singles

A full entry of 16 players gathered at Colchester to compete in this annual event for 'The John Foreman Cup'. Despite the forecast the Roman Gods were smiling on the Essex town and the weather on the first day was very hot and humid and copious amounts of water were consumed by the competitors. The event managed by Terrey Sparks was based on the Egyptian format and at the end of the first day the field was led by Colin Hemming, George Woolhouse, Nick Steiner and newcomer to her first tournament Erica Malaiperuman all on equal rating.

Day 2 proved to be much more cooler and although the predicted rain showers were absent a rather chilly wind had developed. However, this did not detract from the play and at the end of the second day Mike Bowser and Neil Chalmers had appeared from the middle ranks to lead the field with Colin Hemming, Nick and Erica hot on their heels.

On the final day after the mornings play in which Neil had seen off Mike and Nick had overcome Colin Neil Chalmer met Nick Steiner in the final play-Off. By then the weather had deteriorated into heavy intermittent showers. However, despite a promising start by Nick, Neil who had 4 bisques used them to his advantage and quickly overcame Nick to take the position of overall winner.

Winner: Neil Chalmers (Norwich)
Second: Georgeen Hemming (Colchester)
Third: Mike Bowser (Hunstanton/Peterborough)

Event 2 Handicap Doubles

This event consisting of 14 point (reduced handicaps) 1.5 hour games and was played in two blocks of four at the end of the first and second days on a round robin basis.The two block winners meeting in a play-off final. Block A winners brother and sister Nick Steiner (Colchester) and Erica Malaiperuman (Nailsea) met the Norwich pair of Neil Chalmers and Terrey Sparks the block B winners. Even though the game went the full distance due to Nick's coaching and Erica conservative use of bisques they managed to keep the Norwich pair off the lawns so as to prevent them making any impression. Nick and Erica ran out the winners +4(T).