Report by Dr. Andrew Winn

Saturday 3rd

The last weather forecast I had heard before the weekend promised a mixture of heavy rain, wet weather, rain and showers - at least there was the prospect of some variety. So it was with great relief that the tournament got off to a dry start beneath skies of a cheery light grey. Rumour has it that part way through the morning’s play someone on Lawn 4 briefly cast a shadow.

Predictions of an impending deluge, and the smell of tar from the recently established Bowdon Ark Supplies Ltd, did not deter visitors from far and wide; it was a great pleasure to welcome competitors from Southport, Shrewsbury, Tyneside, High Wycombe and Downham in Norfolk.

All 24 competitors were well looked after in the culinary department – Victoria Taylor and her team ensured a plentiful supply of tea, coffee, biscuits and cakes, and a wonderful lunch of Thai curry, chicken and mushroom creamy stew, quiche, meats and salad greeted hungry players after their morning endeavours. Bowls of sweets provided sufficient energy to make it from the dining room to the kitchen. (I haven’t dared get on the scales since). The tournament managers, Lorna Frost and Ailsa Lines, kept things running smoothly and ensured a constant flow of eager combatants onto the pristine lawns.

With eight games in progress at any one time and waiting players partaking in much merriment and ribaldry in the clubhouse, the atmosphere as experienced by a tournament newbie like myself was that of a friendly festival of croquet. The prospect of a limerick competition on the Sunday evening resulted in feverish scribbling in dark corners – winning a game ran the risk of lyrical character assassination.

Outside, Sylvia Steer (Bowdon) played a blistering game to beat Brian Christmas (Shrewsbury) +26, while next to a forest of bisques sat Alan Linton (Bowdon), watching newcomer Richard Griffiths (Bowdon) trundle effortlessly around the hoops. Having already beaten Roger Deacon (Bowdon) +26 earlier in the day, Richard won with nine and a half bisques still standing, despite having recently had his handicap chopped from 24 to 18. Even at this early stage it was clear that Richard was a rapid improver of high order, and as fear spread through the ranks of lesser mortals, dark storm clouds loomed over the horizon. The rain had arrived.

The sporadic showers of the afternoon did little to dampen the festival spirit. John Saxby (Bowdon) grinned like a Cheshire Cat having beaten John Wilkinson (Bowdon) +1, while Andrew Winn (Bowdon) was happy to survive an encounter with the scary Sylvia ‘you can’t possibly be scared of me’ Steer. Believe me, she’s scary – if only when wielding a mallet.

Sunday 4th

Bad weather forecasts? Don’t believe a word of it. All you need is 24 swinging mallets and excellent food prepared by Jean Teare and Jane Wilkinson and the clouds beat a hasty retreat. I was far too busy playing croquet and enjoying myself to make notes on what went on you’ll just have to take my word for it that all was very enjoyable. (if you are interested in the actual scores please click here ).

Monday 5th

The top eight players from the preceding days took part in a knockout tournament today, starting at the unearthly hour of 8 o’clock.

“I’ll see you later, when it’s daytime” Andrew Winn said to Lorna ‘The Boss’ Frost. Sporting surprised countenances, a variety of nocturnal creatures scampered, flew and slithered home as Andrew and John Saxby shuffled towards Lawn 4. Andrew won +18 before either player was properly awake.

On the adjacent Lawn 3, Barbara Haslam (Southport) gave a superb performance against Ailsa, completing the ‘double’ of beating both minus handicappers by +26. The unstoppable Richard Griffiths powered relentlessly past Sylvia Steer +26 on Lawn 1, and the fourth quarter-final saw a gripping ending on Lawn 2 as Alan Linton pulled out the last of David Turner’s (Tyneside) bisques to win +2 on time. Other notable victories include Mike Steer (Bowdon) + 11 against John Wastell (Bowdon), and Lorna Frost +16 against Charles Harding (Bowdon).

As late morning approached, the semi-finals got underway. Alan Linton once again pulled bisques for Richard Griffiths, with Richard winning +20. Andrew Winn beat Barbara Haslam +11 in a tense game where Barbara was staging a strong comeback.

Lunch at last! This third day of impressive cooking was lead by Dee Wastell and Sue Cooper, with special thanks to Pam Sword and all those who made such splendid cakes during the weekend.

All thoughts of the pessimistic weather forecasts were long gone as people gathered to watch the final in cool but bright sunshine. Richard Griffiths played Andrew Winn, both as yet unbeaten in the tournament. The pressures of the final appeared to be telling on Richard as he used bisques at an alarming rate, until his nerves settled and normal service was resumed – he went right to peg. Andrew managed a long hit-in and equally long rush to within a few feet of hoop 1, but a pitiful take-off resulted in a near impossible hoop angle and Richard took to the lawn for the last turn of the match. All was not plain sailing however, as errors caused Richard to run out of bisques with 9 hoops and the peg-out left to do. Like a tightrope walker without a safety net, Richard entertained the crowd with a splendid break to win +26. Well done Richard!

Closing speeches and thanks were given by Lorna Frost and Bowdon’s President Sheila Black, and all agreed that it had been a great weekend’s croquet.

Bowdon Ark Supplies Ltd. has since ceased trading.

Andrew Winn

For photos and  individual match scores click here .