Finals Day 2021

There was a good-sized crowd of supporters for BCC’s Finals Day on Sunday 19th. Five of the internal competitions had already been decided: Miriam Bolger won the GC League and Henriette van Deth won the AC League, Roger Hayes “did the double” this year by winning both the Avon Trophy for AC advanced and the Richard Mills Cup for GC level, and Philip de Glanville won the Apps Heley Cup. This left seven trophies to compete for on Finals Day, promising plenty of entertainment.

There was considerable interest in the Alderwick Cup held in the morning on Lawn 1. This turned out to be an epic 4 hour battle between Bob Hart and Lynne Passfield , who were very well-matched. In the end Lynne pegged out 26:19 on the very last turn. Meanwhile on Lawn 2 Richard Jelly quickly established a comfortable lead against Paul Francis in the Stopforth Cup, but Paul clawed his way back with some dazzling break-play, and the result remained in doubt until Richard finally pegged out 26:20. Martin Alabaster and Tony Curson were on Lawn 3 in the morning competing strongly for the Secretary’s Cup, which was won in the end by Tony, 14:10. Down on Lawn 4, Sally Helvey was in terrific form against Ally Hoyland, and won the Whitfield Salver (GC Higher Handicap) 7:4, 7:2.

In the afternoon Sally was playing again, against Pete Riley, for the Margaret Langley (GC Handicap Open) and this time the match went to three games. Sally took the first 7:4, Pete fought back from 1:5 down in the second to win 7:6 at the Golden Hoop, but Sally won the third 7:5, to carry off her second trophy of the day. Tony Curson, teamed up with Sue Duncan in the new GC Handicap Doubles, also won this as a second trophy, pitted against a very strong Ian and Elaine Morrison on Lawn 1. The Morrisons had won the first game quite easily at 7:2 and looked pretty certain to take the second, but Sue robbed them with a magnificent jump at the Golden Hoop and, fortified perhaps by this success, Tony and Sue went on to win the match with a 7:5 victory in the final game. On the other side of the hedge, on Lawn 2a, Margaret Murray was battling Roger Hayes in the Short Croquet League final. She sailed round to win the first game +10, but Roger countered with a +5 (T) victory in the second, which had been briefly interrupted by rain. The third game was an extremely tense one, with the lead swinging to and fro until, when the timer ran out, Margaret was one hoop ahead and Roger missed his final roquet, giving Margaret the victory +1(T).

The day ended with an excellent Ploughman’s Supper, organised by Gill Clark and her splendid team of helpers, with Andrew Willis manning the bar in the Clubhouse. 42 members attended, and were clearly enjoying themselves. It felt like a very good way to celebrate a terrific day of croquet!

Photos below show
Double Winner Sally Helvey
Sue Duncan in GC Doubles