Internal Competitions – Finals Day
The clubs’ Finals Day for the internal competitions was held on Saturday 28th September. Luckily the weather had improved from the previous week and the day was blessed with cold but dry conditions. Varying numbers of spectators were present during the day.
In the morning on lawn 1 David Veal and Miriam Bolger took on Monica and Neil Baker in the final of the GC Doubles Handicap. A mammoth first game and a not much shorter second game saw the score at one game all. At this stage the couples decided that they would postpone the deciding game until the following Tuesday. On lawn 2 Ally Hoyland was playing Neil Pinker in the GC Open Handicap final. This was again a very close match with Ally finally winning two games to one. On a busy morning a third game was taking place on lawn 3 in which Tony Curson won against Kasia Laganowska in the AC (14+ handicap) final, immediately followed by David Prescott and Martin Alabaster in the AC League final. This was won by David.
In the afternoon session lawn 1 was occupied by Roger Hayes playing Neil Pinker in the AC Open Handicap Final which was won by Roger. On lawn 2 Pete Miles, following his 6 hour drive back from the Lake District, was playing Ian Morrison in the GC Level play final. Although Pete won in to straight games they were both very competitive. Feona Bickley and Brenda Fisher had the privilege of being the last game to finish, which meant a larger crowd, playing in the GC High Handicap final. After a very long match Feona finally won by two games to one.
After the games had finished those that stayed, a select few, enjoyed an excellent buffet provided by Lynne and her helpers. Thanks to them for their efforts to produce such a good spread, with lots of doggie bags/bowls to take home.
The marathon GC Doubles match was finally finished on the following Tuesday morning with Monica and Neil running out as winners.
Several competitions were completed prior to Finals Day. Gill Clark won the season long GC Handicap League, Neil Pinker defeated Martin Alabaster in the AC Advanced Handicap Singles and Tony Jackson beat Tony Curson in the Short Croquet Final.
A full list of trophy winners is below:
Alderwick Cup – Roger Hayes
Stopforth Cup – Neil Pinker
Secretary’s Cup – Tony Curson
AC League Salver – David Prescott
Chairman’s Cup (SC) – Tony Jackson
Richard Mills Cup – Pete Miles
Margaret Langley Salver – Ally Hoyland
Whitfield Salver – Feona Bickley
GC Doubles – Monica Baker & Neil Baker
Bath Salver – Gill Clark
GC Doubles Players on Lawn 1 with a few spectators in background
More Spectators enjoying the sunshine and game
