[<<] [>>] by Martin Burger at Surbiton Croquet Club
9 Oct 2011 (AC - Handicap)

Mike Lambert won the Surbiton Advanced Handicap (the Ark) Weekend

Top Three Places

1) Mike Lambert (11) 121 points 5/6
2) Tony Fathers (7) 118 points 5/6
3) Avril Machiavelli (7) 112 points 4/5

The ARK was again played in easy-paced conditions favouring the higher handicaps and the results reflected this. Four players did triple peels - Kevin Carter with a TP and TPO (though after his sextuple last year no great surprise) , Jonathan Hills (who in his seven games recorded two and was the victim in two), Dick Knapp , and Collin Southern. Despite the short days , most players again fitted in five to seven games , though Kevin again played eight.

After the first day , Tony , John Bateson and Andrew Wise were all on 3/3. Tony beat Andrew and John won his 4th game. Tony then beat John and played Mike who had lost
only to John. The results of other games and the egyptian system meant that this game would be decisive. Mike seemed wll on the way to a comfortable win, and was in front of penult with the other ball for peg and a bisque left. This went when he blobbed penult but got a good rush to rover and failed that . Tony crept back into it giving Mike more chances of rover , but eventually time ran out , +2(T) to Mike. So one of the latest and tensest finishes for some time.

The efforts of the catering team - Alec George and others - were much appreciated. Also George's and Bob's work on the lawns - including an experimental mower on lawn 4 -
to produce fine conditions.