Roger Barnacle won the Wiltshire Open Singles Tournament

[<<] [>>] by Richard Jenkins at Hamptworth Croquet Club
25 May 2014 (GC)

Roger Barnacle, having not played in a CA GC Tournament since April 2012, recovered from a very close win in his first game of the day with Keith Southern (Swanage) 7-6, to go on and win the Wiltshire Trophy for the 2nd time (previous success in 2010).

The tournament this year was reduced to being only a one-day event on the Sunday, due to bad weather.

The whole tournament was played in the most friendly and mannerly atmosphere, but was still very competitive.
The semi-final between Simon Carter (Dulwich) & Nick Cheyne (Surbiton) was a very close and hard fought match indeed, with Simon just managing to gain the upper hand in the 3rd game. 7-6, 6-7, 7-4 despite an amazing angled 'dam-buster' jump shot from Nick from level with the centre peg to the 6th hoop in the final game.

However, the other semi-final between Roger Barnacle (Dogmersfield) & Richard Brooks (Sussex County) was a little more one sided; but it has to be said Richard put up a good fight to try and turn things around in their second game. 7-1, 7-6.

The final between Roger & Simon swung one way then the other throughout the whole match. The last game, played against the background noise of a rock band at the nearby Cuckoo Inn Beer Festival, swung - or should that be "rocked" - in Rogers favour to take the match 7-3, 5-7, 7-3.