Medway lost to Middlesbrough 3-4

[<<] [>>] by Dennis Scarr at Nottingham CC
18 Jul 2017 (AC - Secretary's Shield)

Dennis Scarr reports from Nottingham.

Middlesbrough 4 Medway 3

Middlesbrough and Medway met in the Secretary's Shield at Nottingham Croquet Club on 18th. July.

Middlesbrough:

Andrew Killick (1) Dennis Scarr (3) Nigel Roberts (11) Julian Gibson (14)

Medway

David Rimmer (9) Roger Gentry (12) Eric Diston (16) John Millen (18)

The morning session of doubles and 2 singles all went to time and were all won by Middlesbrough. 3 - 0 to the Croquet North team at lunch.

As the afternoon session of 4 singles got underway the sun was shining on all concerned but particularly on Medway.

Yes Medway had a significant bisque advantage but even so it was noticeable that the Medway players were spending a lot of time on the lawn and making good progress.

In game 4, John Millen beat Julian Gibson plus 13 and Medway were ahead in all the remaining games.

In the top game David Rimmer had reached Rover and Rover, with no bisques remaining while Andrew Killick was Penult and 2 back. Andrew hit in and Middlesbrough looked to be on course for the one win they needed. However having got to peg and peg Andrews cut rush to the peg hit the peg - grievous - forward ball pegged out and no continuation stroke with his back ball left some 12 yards from the peg. David took the opportunity given him and leaving Andrew only long shots at the peg managed to take the game. Middlesbrough 3 Medway 2.

News from game 3 was that Eric Diston was well ahead of Nigel Roberts. The focus therefore turned to game 2 where Roger Gently had used most of his bisques, established a big lead but had been pegged back by Dennis Scarr who was now up 19 - 17. Roger took an opportunity to use his final bisque and levelled the score leaving himself a rush to his next hoop. All eyes were now on this game as the potential decider. Dennis hit in with his back ball which he took to peg. Digging his partner ball out of corner 4 he was left with a 7 yard peg out attempt. The forward ball missed the peg but stopped within 1 yard of it. The Middlesbrough back ball being pegged out left Roger a 15 yard shot on both remaining balls - the miss left Dennis to peg out and secure the match for Middlesbrough.

Game 3 was the only afternoon game which went to time with Eric Diston winning plus 5T.

RESULTS

Andrew Killick and Dennis Scarr beat David Rimmer and Roger Gentry 23 -15

Nigel Roberts beat John Millen 20 - 18

Julian Gibson beat Eric Diston 20 - 15

Julian Gibson lost to John Millen 13 - 26

Andrew Killick lost to David Rimmer 25 - 26

Dennis Scarr beat Roger Gentry 26 - 19

Nigel Roberts lost to Eric Diston 19 - 24

Many thanks to Nottingham for providing a venue for this match and to both teams for a sporting and friendly encounter.