AC Association Croquet

This Tournament is a one-day Association Croquet singles competition run by the East Anglian Croquet Federation for the winners of club AC competitions in the previous year. It is open to members of EACF member clubs. It is also listed in the EACF diary.

EACF AC Club Champions Tournament
past winners
Title: EACF AC Club Champions Tournament
Handicaps: AC unrestricted
Date: Saturday 10 May
Capacity: 12
Secretary: Email:   click on link to send an email
Phone: 01923 241582
Address: please ask, or log in and obtain it from the CA member's directory
Manager: Terrey Sparks
RoT: Terrey Sparks
Trophy: A block for the Lynnsport Shield: (current holder: Nick Steiner)
B Block: (current holder: Jeff Farrington)
C Block: (current holder: Stuart Stafford)
Entries: Allocation: tba
Closing: 31 March
Those who wish to enter should apply to the EACF through their own club secretary.
Entry fee: tba
Format: AMD Class Singles, depending on entry.
Provisionally 3 independent blocks: Level advanced, B-level advanced and Handicap.
Notes:
  1. Play starts at 09:30, and players must be prepared to play 3 games in the day.
  2. Tea, soft drinks and biscuits are provided free of charge, and a cold lunch will be available for a small fee.
  3. Details of parking and other arrangements will be sent to participants before the event.

L-R: Peter Rothwell, Bryan Harral, John Smallbone

Twelve members from eight of the Eastern Regions Clubs gathered at the Watford club to take part in this annual event to determine the region's champions. The entry was split into three groups of four comprising A) Level Play, B) ‘B’ Level and C) Handicap games, each all-play-all with a 2½ hour time-limit. The weather was fine and sunny, and despite a slightly mild chilly wind the day was ideal for croquet.

A). Level Advanced block: as expected this group of four play was of a high standard and there was very little to determine who would dominate play. Unfortunately, one of the players due to a medical condition was unable to complete the format and had to withdraw during his third game. This meant that at the end of all the games in this group we had a 3-way tied situation in which the remaining three players all finished on one win against the other two.

It was decided to determine a winner to stage a Nottingham Tie Break in which each player commences a two-ball break at corner four rushing to the fourth hoop to try and run as many hoops as possible. First to go was Simon Hathrell who managed just 1 hoop. Next to go was Bryan Harral who completed a magnificent 5 hoops. Unfortunately, Andrew Gregory despite a magnificent effort could only manage 2 hoops so Bryan was determined the group winner.

B). ‘B’ Level Advanced block: in this group play was just as competitive but was dominated by Peter Rothwell (Wrest Park) who fought off all the other challengers to win all his three games to run out the undisputed winner of this group.

C). Handicap block: In this group games were a little closer, and it boiled down to between John Smallbone and Dave Barnett who finished on two wins apiece. As John had beaten Dave John was declared the handicap group winner.

Thanks must go to the Watford Club for making their excellent facilities available to the Federation and to Simon Hathrell for setting up the lawns and providing the excellent buffet lunch which was most appreciated.

Report by Terrey Sparks

Results:

Block ALevel Advanced
Results vs.: BH SH AG CJ WINS NET
POINTS
Bryan Harral   +12 -17 +20 2 +15
Simon Hathrell -12   +9T +23 2 +20
Andrew Gregory +17 -9T   +10T 2 +18
Cliff Jones -20 -23 -10T   0 -53
Block BLevel Advanced
Results vs.: PR GJ JT AG WINS NET
POINTS
Peter Rothwell   +9 +6 +9 3 +24
Geoff Johnson -9   +6T +4 2 +1
Jonathan Toye -6 -6T   +9 1 -3
Andrew Gray -9 -4 -9   0 -22
Block CHandicap
Results vs.: JS DB KK CD WINS NET
POINTS
John Smallbone   +4 +13 -15 2 +2
Dave Barnett -4   +2 +4 2 +2
Ken Knock -13 -2   +8 1 -7
Colin Davies +15 -4 -8   1 +3
WINNERS
Bryan Harral,
Peter Rothwell,
John Smallbone
Participants
Name Club H'cap
Simon Hathrell Watford -1
Bryan Harral Wrest Park -1
Andrew Gregory Newport 2
Cliff Jones Old Brentwoods 3
Peter Rothwell Wrest Park 3
Geoff Johnson Watford 3½
Andrew Gray Colchester 3½
John Smallbone Watford 4½
Ken Knock Pinchbeck 6
Colin Davies Letchworth 6
Jonathan Toye Downham Market 7
Dave Barnett Wrest Park 14

The games in block C were played as 18-point games.