Margaret Murray wins Charity One Ball

Margaret Murray competed in the Charity One Ball final at Surbiton on Sunday 13th May. There were 40 competitors in the final. Because of the numbers involved, there was a lunchtime ‘cut’ – a bit like in a big golf competition. The top twelve, who had lost no more than one game of the swiss during the morning, went into a separate section to compete for the main trophies, while the remainder continued for a ‘Best of the Rest’ prize.
Soon after teatime, the two finalists had been decided: Tom Weston (East Dorset) and Margaret. It was a nail-biting finale, watched by over 30 spectators. Tom’s shooting was superb and, as Margaret’s 4.5 bisques were whittled away, he looked to have it in the bag. However, Margaret displayed great tactical acumen throughout and was the first through the last (‘rover’) hoop, initially retreating to near the west boundary and then, when Tom set himself up for rover, she moved her ball a little north of the peg. Tom ran rover but not cleanly and he was hampered from both the peg and Margaret’s ball. He tried a difficult shot back through the hoop and missed, so Margaret finished, to huge applause.
The total amount raised for the Downs Syndrome Association was £4471, which will be supplemented by £903 of Gift Aid – another record, and the first time that our nominated charity will benefit by more than £5000.