Eastern Championship 2018

Signposts in the desert, and the oasis at hoop 1.

The Championship, played as best of three to super advanced rules, was won by David Maugham, who also managed the event. In the final he beat Jose Riva +19, +17tp, completing a tidy triple in the second game when Jose failed an angled hoop 3 after the sideways approach ran on a fraction too far. The Plate event was won by Mark Suter.

David Maugham beat Rod Ashwell +16 +16

Daniel Gott beat Bryan Harral +25 +18

Mark Suter beat Richard Waterman +13 +9tp

Christian Carter beat Nick Steiner +12 +10(t)

Debbie Lines beat Nick Mounfield -8(t) +7(t) +1(t)

Ian Lines beat Alison Jones +10tp +1(t)

Robert Wilkinson beat Cliff Jones -4 +17 +11(t)

Jose Riva beat David Marsh +12 +5

David Maugham beat Daniel Gott +22tp +2

Christian Carter beat Mark Suter -16tp +25tp +20tp

Ian Lines beat Debbie Lines +15 +7(t)

Jose Riva beat Robert Wilkinson -12otp +24 +18tp

David Maugham beat Christian Carter +10tp +18

Jose Riva beat Ian Lines +21tp +25

David Maugham beat Jose Riva +19 +17tp

David Maugham

Jose Riva

Mark Suter

Daniel Gott

Christian Carter

David Woolley presenting David Maugham with the Cup and Mark Suter with the Plate

The heatwave had continued without respite and for the previous fortnight mowing was restricted to the hoop areas which were watered almost daily. Lawns 2, 3 and 4 were moved west, east and north respectively with lawn 1 remaining in situ. Getting the lawns ready was as much a challenge for the ground staff as playing on them was for the players themselves, but given the standard of the entry it came as no surprise that they adapted almost immediately, with triples in the first round and more to follow.

Two who missed out were Craig Winfield and Cesar Miranda Reyes, who were expected but failed to turn up, believing that the event started on Saturday. Still, it made for easier management.

The purchase of a new fridge meant that the old one, still working but with unhygienic rusty seals, could be put to useful purpose chilling the drinks, which was much appreciated. Thanks to Geoff Strutt, David Woolley and John Bevington for catering duties, to George Collin for groundwork, and to the Wrest Park entrants who set things up each morning.

Club

Croquet

Wrest Park