[<<] [>>] by Jenny Williams at Southport
20-21 Sep 2003 (AC)

David Maugham was undefeated in the Southport Open Weekend and completed 6 triples in 7 games while winning the event. The other finalist, Ian Lines, continued his fine form which started at the Northern Week tournament.

Southport can be proud of the results of their efforts to improve the quality of their lawns, which were of very high quality with no sign of the tufty grass that has previously been present. The lawns were rather slow, due to heavy rain overnight and some dampness on Saturday. The bright sunshine on Sunday was very welcome. The catering over the weekend was excellent, particularly Sunday lunch.

Gail Curry made a welcome return to tournament croquet with a fine performance to win the Swiss with 5/6 wins including a triple. The excellent standard of play by David Barrett was rewarded with a handicap reduction on the AHS from 1 to 0.5, and Barbara Haslam continued her impressive form this season culminating in a thrilling pegged-out ending in which she defeated Peter Taylor to earn a handicap reduction from 2.5 to 2.

Manager: Jenny Williams, ROT: David Maugham

Round 1

David Maugham bt Mike Sandler +26TP
John Haslam bt Mike Hammelev +24
Mike Steer bt Dean Bennison +10
Ailsa Lines bt Jenny Williams +23
James Hawkins bt Collin Southern +22
Gail Curry bt Barbara Haslam +15

Round 2

David Maugham bt John Haslam +26TP
Dave Barrett bt Sylvia Steer +22
Alan Pidcock bt Peter Taylor +11
Ailsa Lines bt Mike Steer +15
Ian Lines bt Dave Mooney +14
Gail Curry bt James Hawkins +13
Bob Burnett bt Peter Wardle +15
Richard White bt Dave Nick +17

Quarter-Finals

Maugham bt Barrett +26TP
A Lines bt Pidcock +14
I Lines bt Curry +20
White bt Burnett +4

Semi-Finals

Maugham bt A Lines +5TP +26TP
I Lines bt White -17TP +13 +17

Final

Maugham bt I Lines +4TP +17

Swiss Final Standings

5/6 G Curry
3/4 J Haslam
4/6 D Barrett
5/8 B Burnett, J Williams
6/10 D Nick
3/5 P Wardle
4/7 R White
3/6 D Bennison, A Lines
3/8 M Sandler, C Southern
2/6 B Haslam, A Pidcock, P Taylor
1/3 J Hawkins
1/5 M Hammelev, S Steer
1/6 M Steer
1/7 D Mooney

Handicap Changes

Barbara Haslam 2.5->2
David Barrett 1->0.5