Advanced Tournament 13-14 August

The event was fully subscribed early in the season, no doubt in part due to the use of the online entry system. It attracted a class field, with nine of the 16 on scratch or below. Playing conditions were tricky - the recent lack of rain coupled with lawns cut 0.5mm lower at 6mm and freshly-set firm hoops led to plenty of interactivity and just under half the games going to time (3 hours). Lawn 1 in particular had grown men weeping as the balls, like Old Man River, just kept rolling along.

But class will out, and Ian Lines, with five wins and the only TP, remained the only one undefeated. Just behind were Nick Steiner, whose only loss was to Ian by one on time, and manager Rod Ashwell, whose only loss was to Nick by one on time. Rod later admitted that he had learnt a lesson in that game, as he had joined up when one ahead. Nick then hit in and made the two points necessary to snatch the win.

The performance of the weekend was undoubtedly that of Heather Bennett, who was playing off a handicap twice as high as the next lowest. She admitted to being a little apprehensive before the tournament, but her solid break play and consistent hitting-in took her to three wins and a deserved handicap reduction.

Many thanks to Geoff Strutt, David Woolley and Peter Aspinall for lunches and teas. Weather sunny and warm.


Ian Lines (-2) 5/5

Nick Steiner (0) 4/5

Rod Ashwell (- ½) 4/5

Heather Bennett (5) 3/5

Jonathan Wolfe (1½) 3/5

Bryan Harral (0) 3/5

Clive Goode (0) 3/5

Peter Moore (- ½) 3/5

Andrew Willis (- ½) 3/5

John Bevington (1½) 2/5

Cliff Jones (0) 2/5

Debbie Lines (-1) 2/5

George Woolhouse (2½) 1/5

Mike Hills (1) 1/5

Terry Mahoney (1) 1/5

Philip Windred (2) 0/5

 

l-r Andrew Willis, Gill Brewer, Bryan Harral, Debbie Lines, Mike Hills, Clive Goode, Peter Moore, Ian Lines, Cliff Jones, Rod Ashwell, Philip Windred and George Woolhouse

Andrew Willis from Bath, in play against John Bevington on lawn 1 on Sunday afternoon.

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