GC A level tournament 5/6 September

L to R : Roger Goldring, Les Heard, Paul Durkin, Mike Hills.
Photo by George Collin.

report by manager Richard Keighley

Les Heard won the Tournament by beating Paul Durkin in the final 7-5, 6-7, 7-5.

Fingers had been crossed that days of fickle weather would culminate in a fine weekend. We were in luck as on both days we were blessed with dry, bright and breezy conditions.

The full field of 16 players was divided into two blocks of eight, with bases of four players established at each lawn for the opening session and then re-allocated for two further sessions to comply with Covid-19 precautions.

Block A was closely contested all day and it was no surprise when three players finished with five wins each. Stephen Custance-Baker (-1) emerged as the block winner on hoop count, followed by David Widdison (-1) and Jane Tewson (1). The remaining place for the quarter-finals was taken by Mike Hills (-1) with four wins. He pipped Roger Goldring (-1) who had also recorded four wins but with an inferior hoop count.

Block B proved to be more straightforward with an unbeaten John Noble (-2) and Paul Durkin (0) with five wins leading the way. Les Heard (-1) and Paul Gunn (1), who was making a welcome return to tournament action, both also qualified with four wins each.

The quarter finals comprised one 19 point game. Stephen beat Paul Gunn 10-6 and John prevailed over Mike by the same score. Les also beat David 10-6 and the drama was of a domestic nature with Paul Durkin defeating Jane 10-9.  

The first real shock came in the first of the semi-finals (best of three 13 point games) with Les Heard beating tournament favourite John Noble in straight games 7-3, 7-3. Likewise, it came as a surprise when Paul Durkin played exceptionally well to beat Stephen 7-5, 7-1.

The final (also best of three 13 point games) was staged before a large and socially distanced audience. Paul started brightly and went into a 4-1 lead in the first game but Les pegged him back and eventually won that game 7-5. The second game was nip and tuck but Paul clinched it at the golden hoop (7-6). In the decider, Les lifted his game again to win 7-5.

Prizes were presented to both finalists, and also to Mike Hills for winning the Bowl and Roger Goldring the Plate.

The manager thanked George Collin, who was present, and John Bevington for lawn mowing and preparation. He also appreciated the help of Peter Aspinall for his cleaning of hoops, balls and chairs and of Terry Collis and Ross Bagni in setting up each day.

Finishing order: Les Heard, Paul Durkin, Stephen Custance-Baker, John Noble.

Club

Croquet

Wrest Park

Home News Diary Activities History Membership Contacts How to get there Where to stay Why play croquet? Croquet myths Association croquet Golf croquet Useful links Archive