GC B level tournament 15 May
report by manager Richard Keighley
The tournament was won by Roger Stroud, of Leighton-Linslade and Wrest Park.
Blissful weather prevailed all day for this very over-subscribed tournament (there were 24 entries). The field of 16 players was split into four blocks on an all play all basis. Block winners were Mike Bilton (Nottingham), Roger Stroud (Leighton-Linslade and Wrest Park), Rob Chatwin (Wingrave and Wrest Park) and Gill Hindshaw (Beckford). They were joined in the main knockout by Richard Jenkins (Hamptworth), David Boxell (Hunstanton), and Desmond Taylor and Henry Hobbs (both of Enfield) . A surprise non-qualifier was last year’s winner, David G Hill, also of Enfield.
Roger and Mike won their opening rounds, but Rob was beaten 6-7 by Richard and Gill won an extraordinary game against Desmond by only 3-0 after a first hoop which took 35 minutes to play. In the semi-finals, Roger beat Richard and Gill beat Mike. The final was closely contested, but Roger prevailed 7-4. It was the first game that Gill had lost during the day. In the plate knockout, Jane Tewson was declared the winner.
The sun was still shining strongly as tournament manager Richard Keighley presented Roger and Gill with engraved glasses, and Jane with a bottle of Malbec.
1. Roger Stroud
2. Gill Hindshaw
3. Mike Bilton
4. Richard Jenkins
© Wrest Park Croquet Club
