Lancashire GC Open

[<<] [>>] by Paul Rigge at Pendle & Craven Croquet Club
20 Jul 2020 (GC)

21st GC Lancashire Open 18/19th July @ Pendle & Craven CC

Quiz time - What do you call a mix of four International players, four County Players, three members of the Junior development squad, their youth development director and four other Tournament Hackers?...why the 2020 GC Lancashire Open, of course!

In a year when *all* tournament play has been either postponed or closed down, Pendle Club were delighted to host it's CA leg of the Ascot Cup Qualifier.

With only three qualifiers being held this year (out of a schedule of eight), the entry field was the strongest yet with the Current English Captain, two Current English Team members & a Scottish international heading up the seedlings, throw in a fourteen year old, a 21 & a 22 year old from the youth development program and it was always going to be an interesting weekend, as well as a wonderful advert for this game; young & old, males & females all mixing it up together in open contest.

Format for the Sixteen players; Two All-play-All Blocks of 8. Top four Qualified for Bo3 KO Quarter Final in main event. Losing QF into Bowl KO to contest 5-8 places

None qualifiers played cross-block all-play-all Plate with KO option to resolve any ties.

The Final couldn't have been any closer between the English Captain & one of his team mates.. one game all, 6-6 in third, so 'golden hoop' for the title... J-P Moberly held his nerve over Richard Bilton to lift the 'David Hopkins' bon bon dish.

Bowl - Paul Rigge from Callum Johnson, and the Plate event lifted by Scotland's Lorna Dewar.

Thanks are due to members; Gill for handing over a bug free environment, Paul D for mowing, PR for court creation, Abdul for managing and to Richard Bilton for CroquetScore postings and every attending player for a creating a great atmosphere whilst 'socially distancing' during these 'difficult' times.... Stay Safe."