Mark Suter Won The Cheltenham Advanced

[<<] [>>] by David Fuller
25th April 2023 (AC)

Well there were plenty of competitors complaining of aching limbs and rusty swings being the first tournament of the season for most. I missed a 9 inch roquet, but don't tell anybody. The weather was not set particularly fair, although Sunday was good, as Monday saw rain on and off and some strong wind, playing havoc with those rusty swings.

The eight courts looked in great condition; it always looks lovely at Cheltenham.

The Main Event Knockout saw a good turn out of 28 which went pretty much to seeding to the semi-finals. James beat Sarah +26tp whilst Mark beat Omied in a tighter +7 affair. The best-of-three final between James and Mark was very interesting to watch (said those gathered in the bar, sheltering from the ever-colder wind) with Mark winning 2-1 with two TPs to James's one TPO. The final game could have gone either way. Congratulations Mark.

https://croquetscores.com/2023/ac/cheltenham-easter-advanced/main-event-knockout

The Flexible Swiss picked up those of us who were eliminated from the above and some matches from the first day lasted well past 7pm.

https://croquetscores.com/2023/ac/cheltenham-easter-advanced/flexible-swiss

The draw for the Plate Knockout was announced on Monday morning. I have no idea how that worked so you will have to ask TM Mark Suter who, of course, did a great job making sure that players had games to play as soon as one finished. All I can say is that I was one of the four who made it! I repeat, Mark did a great job.

Sophie and Paul had a tough battle in one semi-final, with Sophie just pinching it with the last turn of the match. In the other semi-final against myself, Beatrice was unlucky to grovel through 2b to a bad place when a completed break which would have won +1t. In the final, Sophie and I had a dour struggle in the ever-increasing wind. I had the best of the run of the balls to win +13.

https://croquetscores.com/2023/ac/cheltenham-easter-advanced/plate-knockout

It seemed that everyone had a good time, although there were some tired souls trudging off to the car park, usually via the bar. I certainly enjoyed myself and got some more excellent advice from Sarah, and later from James and Mark in exchange for writing this report. A good deal I say.

The lunches were very well received. Thank you very much Pat Francis and Pat Seabright who did an excellent job providing the players with quality lunches. Thank you should also go to Alwen, Alison and Marie for baking some tasty cakes