[<<] [>>] by Roger Wood at Compton
15 Aug 2016 (AC - Handicap)

This year's tournament, reformatted and held six weeks earlier than its traditional calendar slot, succeeded in attracting a good entry for each of its three constituent parts. It's to be hoped that this new-look style will ensure the long-term future of this century-old event. Sadly Colin Hemming has declared this his swansong and his expert management will not be in evidence next year. Sunshine and light breezes graced the beginning of the week but high winds on Friday and Saturday frustrated precision play. The first two days of the three day handicap were played as a flexible Swiss from which the top four contested a knockout for the Devonshire Cup on day three - everyone else continued in the Swiss with the winner taking the Brittain Porringer. For Thursday's one-ball entrants were split by handicap into two groups each of which played a flexible Swiss, one advanced and the other on handicap. On the final two days each of the class events was an all-play-all block: the advanced A and B blocks of 4 played as double round robins; the C and D blocks of 6 as single games.

Two newcomers to this tournament walked away with two trophies each: Mike Town won the advanced one-ball and was undefeated in the A class, completing the only triple of the week; and, gritty as ever in his comeback season, Phil Cordingley took the big handicap and the B class. Other notable performances came from regular visitor Neil Chalmers and Compton members Ann Jarman and Philip Marshall. As ever we were well provided for lunches and teas, and the lawns were presented in fine condition - an altogether enjoyable week.

Results

Monday to Wednesday: handicap play.
Devonshire Park Cup - winner: Phil Cordingley; runner up: Roger Wood.
Brittain Porringer - winner: Ann Jarman; runner up: Neil Chalmers.

Thursday: One-Ball

Anna Millns Salvers - for the winners: Mike Town (advanced); Philip Marshall (handicap).
Gilbert Spoons - for the runners up: Jonathan Lamb (adv); David Rimmer (h'cap).

Friday and Saturday: Class Events

A Ionides Cup - winner: Mike Town; runner up: Tim Russell.
B Devonshire Park Salver - winner: Phil Cordingley; runner up: Colin Hemming.
C Luard Cup - winner: Philip Windred; runner up: Graham Pegley.
D Trevor Williams Cup - winner: Neil Chalmers; runner up: Georgeen Hemming.