Nottingham Croquet - 2017 Memorial Peels Report

[<<] [>>] by Robert Thompson at Nottingham Croquet Club
24th May 2017 (AC - Mixed)

Twenty nine players, competed for the Memorial Peels trophies at the Nottingham club.

Conditions varied from lightening fast on the bowling green lawns on Thursday when Richard Forman conquered the conditions by playing half lawn tactics to easy after much needed rain.

The event would have seen two past CA chairpersons, Dr Ian Vincent and Patricia Duke-Cox play alongside the present CA Chair, Brian Shorney but for Ian having to withdraw due to illness on Wednesday.

I am pleased to report that although our present chair Brian came to the event complaining that he was playing 'dire croquet' before the event he managed to complete a 12 hoop break without bisques on Sunday morning, something that he had not achieved for sometime by all accounts.

The mixed doubles with 9 entries was a played as a knockout, previous winner Omied Hallam (h/c -1) partnering Viv Staley (h/c 14) beat Bob Thompson (h/c 2) and Patricia Duke-Cox (h/c 12) +6 in the final.

Both the men's and ladies singles were played as a flexible Swiss with the top four players playing a knockout for the semis and finals.

Sophie McGlen (Oxford Uni h/c 12) overcame Viv Staley (Nottingham h/c 14) +18 in the semis and beat Sue Wileman (Nottingham h/c 12) +21 in the final to win the Ladies Silver Challenge Bowl, emulating mother Beatrice, 2014 winner.

Andrew Beaumont (Nottingham h/c 18) won all nine games to win the Men's Silver Challenge Bowl. Andrew beat Richard Forman (Huddersfield h/c 10) +14 in the semis and beat Neal Bacon (Nottingham h/c 8) +11 in the final.

Neal managed to drag out all of Andrews bisques in the final, something that no one had managed to do in previous games before Andrew prepared to peg out both of his balls, the front ball missed the peg, it was some long 27 minutes of tactical play before Andrew was given an easy finish when Neal missed a 6 yard roquet.

Sue and Andrew both earn handicap reductions.

Filming by a local professional video maker of some of the tournament play was undertaken on two days, a short film being prepared in collaboration with Dave Gunn, CA National Development Officer for promotional use to help stimulate growth of our sport.

Many thanks to all the caterers for all the gourmet delights, time to go home and fast for awhile.