Handicap Tournament 22-23 September

Tournament winner Peter Aspinall on his way to a fifth win against Richard Keighley on Sunday afternoon.

report by manager Geoff Strutt

Peter Aspinall won the Wrest Park September Handicap. He achieved an unbeaten record over the 2-day Egyptian event, storming to a 69 point rating, seven points ahead of his nearest rival John Bevington. Against Tony Elliott, John had a late evening encounter which appeared to be going in Tony’s favour. Unfortunately for Tony who missed the peg out, his opponent was now joined upon the boundary; so John gradually overhauled the deficit and eventually won by 2. The game between Eric Audsley and John Hall was also a tight one. John won by 1 just before the prize giving ceremony.

Rain spoiled Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning; but the sun came out to give us a gorgeous afternoon in the end.

The handicaps ranged from -½ to 12. 40 matches were played with time limits of 3 hours and 12 Wharrad turns. However, nearly all completed without a time-limited result. John Bevington earned a handicap reduction to 1 and Barry Pilgrim an increase to 8.

The outplayer: George Woolhouse taking refreshment during his game
against Sarah Barley.

The castor oil and pumpkin plants had been dumped behind the trees beyond the lawns some time ago and had carried on growing. They and much else were shredded the day before the tournament, but a pumpkin was rescued and presented to Barry Pilgrim in place of the traditional banana for last place.

Geoff Strutt presents Peter Aspinall with his trophy. Also in the photo are (l-r) Tony Elliott, Sarah Barley, Cliff Jones and André Machell.

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