The Southern Croquet Federation inaugural 10+ competition came to a close on Sunday 1st of October at Blewbury Croquet Club. Unfortunately the final of 8 players took a bit of a hit due to the recent resurgence of everybody’s favourite communicative disease leaving only 5 players. However, all was not lost and an all-plays-all format was adopted.
| Date | Venue | Spaces available | Winner | Runner up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/7/23 | Eynsham | Simon Bryant (Thames Valley) | Liz Walker (Caversham) | |
| 6/8/23 | Eynsham | Jill James (Eynsham) | Pam Please (Eynsham) | |
| 3/9/23 | Hamptworth | Jackie Bryant (Thames Valley) | Simon Bryant (Thames Valley) | |
| 20/9/23 | Blewbury | David Hughes, (Harwell) and John Walker (Caversham) |
Close matches were the order of the day with the biggest margin being 7-4 and with a number of wins ending 7-6.
With the final round of matches left to play it was all to play for with 3 potential winners. Mike Parker having played all his games was on 3 wins and hoop difference of +5. Both Jill James and Liz walker were on 2 wins with the opportunity to catch up and played each other in the final match of the day.
Jill got off to a flyer winning 3 of the first 4 hoops, the next 2 hoops were shared so it was 4-2 at the turn. Jill jawsed her ball at 7 and promptly played through to leave her ball 2′ short at 8. Jill ran hoop 8 for a 6-2 lead. However, Liz wasn’t having that and run hoop 9 followed by a superb approach shot to hoop 10 jawsing her ball which she the run next time round: 6-4. Jill approach to 11 was spot on at 3′ out and Liz with one ball wired only had one clearance shot which was unfortunately missed. Jill then took the win with a somewhat nervy running of 11. 7-4.
With Jill winning that gave her the same number of wins as Mike, 3 and same hoop difference at +5. As Mike had won the game between himself and Jill, Mike was declared the first SCF GC 10+ champion, Well done Mike.
Although the competition as a whole got of to a slow start it finished with some very intense croquet played to the individuals best possible level and it was a pleasure to watch.
SCF would like to thank Hamptworth CC, Eynsham CC and Blewbury CC for supporting this new endeavour as well as the players who took part, without both it would never have happened.
It is planned that the competition will be played again next year therefore, I would like both clubs and competitors to give it go. More info soon, as they say “watch this space”.
Neil Stewart (SCF 10+ Co-ordinator)