Archive - News of Croquet in the North West - Season 2002
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Handicap
League dramatic play-off (14/10/02) |
League Winners
for Season 2002: Advanced League Winners:
Southport |
| SOUTHPORT
WIN DRAMATIC HANDICAP LEAGUE PLAY-OFF Following the unprecedented tie at the top of the handicap league (see league tables), Southport and Bowdon St. Mary's met at Pendle on Sunday, 13 October 2002, to decide the league title. The format was as for the Secretary's Shield; round one being one doubles and two singles with round two, four singles. This was to ensure a result with no possibility of another draw. The morning singles were shared one all. The doubles was a tense affair with Southport attempting to peel St. Mary's through rover and peg the ball out. Unfortunately the peel was a success but hoop position was sacrificed. Bowdon returned the gesture by peeling Southport and pegging out their ball. Ray Belcher however sprang to Southport's rescue by hitting in and playing a faultless three ball break to peg. 2 - 1 to Southport at lunch! Bowdon won the first of the afternoon singles, score 2 - 2. Southport were well down in the fourth pairing and never looking to win it. Everything depended on pairs one and three, both games being very close. In another three ball ending Southport eventually hit the peg and won the first pairing, 3 -2 to Southport. With the fourth pairing going to Bowdon everything depended on the third pair. With time approaching Bowdon were one up with control. Southport hit in and made a couple of hoops, Southport ahead. In one of those senior moments, of which we all have experience, the Southport player laid up at penult. Time about to be called, two balls in the middle of the lawn!! It was worse than that, Bowdon's forward ball was for penult!!! But that's not all, Bowdon's backward ball was for six!!!! If Bowdon hit they will win if they miss Southport win. After all the seasons matches the league title would be decided on one shot. Bowdon missed, Southport win 4 - 3. The Southport player incidentally has changed his name and is now wearing false beard and glasses!! Return to top |
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| Advanced
Millenium Trophy The advanced event of the Millenium Trophy competition, due to be held at Bury this weekend has been postponed until Spring 2003. This is to alleviate congestion at the end of the season and allow more time for appropriate entries to be received. More information will be available following the AGM in November. Return to top |
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| CA
COACHES Congratulations to John Haslam and James Hawkins who have been appointed Grade 2 & Grade 3 Coaches. Return to top |
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| Before: Carefully, with great skill and patience, the accomplished player manoevres his balls into prime position ready to score yet another point . . . . . |
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After: |
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Bowdon Firs Win Prestigious Secretarys Shield Congratulations to Bowdon Firs who have won the Secretarys' Shield by beating East Dorset (Parkstone) 4-3 at Cheltenham. Bowdon
for the Shield ???? Bowdon
March On ..... |
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Bury
are the 2002 Champions Bowdon won the Handicap section, Bury the Short and Southport the Golf, but the final aggregated position saw Bury the winner with Southport a close second. Final positions: |
 Bob Burnett, Chairman of the North West Federation presents the championship trophy to winning club captain, Geoff Young of Bury. |
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CLUB: |
HANDICAP: |
SHORT: |
GOLF: |
POINTS: |
POSITION: |
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John Finnerty - Chairman
of Llanfairfechan |
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| Neil
Williams As many will know, Neil has not been well. He underwent surgery for a brain tumour this week and unfortunately as a consequence suffered a stroke. At the moment his right side is effected and he has lost some speech. He is currently in hospital in Preston but hoping to return to Kendal when he is strong enough. Neil has been the main stay of croquet in the Northwest for over thirty years and was the first chairman of the Federation when it was formed in the early seventies. We all wish him well for a speedy recovery. In the interim John Beech will take over Neil's duties as Development Officer and James Hawkins will look after coaching. Return to top |
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| Longman
Cup - North West Doing Well Saturday 18 May and Fylde scored a significant victory over East Riding at Coronation Park in Bury. Victors Peter Wilson, Liz Wilson, Martin Bradshaw and Leonard Ainsworth inflicted a 5-2 defeat over the white rose team. Fylde play Pendle or Bowden in the next round. Return to top |
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| Gordon
Brown - Benefactor of Croquet Clubs ? The April 2002 Budget, allows Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASC) to be granted charitable status for tax pruposes. This means CASC's (your club should be one) are exempt from tax on income from a range of sources such as fundraising, interest, rents, disposals, Gift Aid, donations, etc. Gift Aid may apply to Subscriptions in which case clubs can claim substantial tax relief backdated to 1 April 2002. CASC's must be open to the whole community, organised on an amateur basis, and their main purpose must be to provide facilities for, and promote participation in, an eligible sport. Eligible sports will initially be defined with reference to those recognised by national Sports Councils. More details: www.hm-treasury.gov.uk or www.news.bbc.co.uk Return to top |
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| 14 New Coaches in North of England: | |
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14 players in the North of England have gained
a Certificate and yellow CA Club Coach Badge after attending a two day
course at Southport on 13/14 April 2002. The course was ably led by
Michael Hague assisted by Directing Staff Bob Burnett, James Hawkins
and Keith Roberts. Certificates were presented to evereyone by Bruce
Rannie, Chairman of Croquet Association Coaching Committee. The 11 new
coaches in the North West are Ann Belcher, Ray Belcher, Ray Lowe, Tony
Thomas (all Southport), Janet Davies, Mollie McBride (both Chester),
Ailsa Lines, Ian Lines (both Bowdon), Peter Wardle (Crake), Neil Williams
(Kendal/Keswick) and Geoff Young (Bury). |
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| North
West Win Pennine Cup The North West Team comprising Bob Burnett, Peter Wilson and Abdul Ahmad playing Advanced, and Liz Wilson, John Wilkinson and Martin Bradshaw playing Handicap, lifted the Pennine Cup by defeating the East of Pennine Team. The morning session produced 1 win but defeats in the Doubles. The team were revived by lunch going on to record a clean sweep of wins in the Handicap singles and with Bob winning his Advanced singles match, gave the team a 5-4 victory. Croquet North West and Croquet North East contest the Pennine Cup annually. This year the teams travelled to Hull but the 2003 match will take place somewhere in the North West. The winning northwest team (from right to left), Peter Wilson, Abdul Ahmad, John Wilkinson, Liz Wilson, Martin Bradshaw and Bob Burnett: |
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| The
Pennine Cup - now it looks personal ! This competition between the west and east Pennines is the modern version of the Rose's War fought by the Houses of Lancaster and York five hundred years ago. It was played for the first time last year and as previously the Red Rose was victorious. This year the Yorkist and their Geordie Allies have sworn revenge. They have challenged us, the North-West Federation, to do battle at West Riding on 4th August. The teams will consist of three advanced and three handicap players. Play will be on one day only and will include both doubles and singles. If you would like to play please
e-mail bobburnett@croquetnw.co.uk
stating your name, club and handicap. |
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