Bury Peelers 1 Fylde 2

Fylde reign at Bury

Bury: David Barrett (5), Chris Williamson (10), Richard Leach (10), Margaret Eccles (11).
Fylde: Lee Hartley (-1), Andrew Webb (6), Phil Snowden(7), Barry Broughton (18).

Fylde turned up at Whitehead Park for our final match in the handicap league with the drizzle already steadily falling and the forecast for more rain. Lawn 3 was already showing small puddles so it was decided to double-bank the singles. As luck would have it, the weather fined up for the start of the match and in the doubles, where Lee and Barry had the luxury of a half bisque against David and Margaret, Lee wasted no time in taking advantage of the slight break in the weather in buzzing round to rover, leaving Barry nicely set up at hoop 1 with opponents cross-wired at penult. Barry continued the good work with a nice 6 hoop break, from which there was no way back for the Bury pair with Fylde eventually winning 26-0 in under an hour and a half with the half bisque still standing.

On the other lawn there was an equally quick game between Andrew and Richard. This time the honours went to Bury, with Richard winning 26-4 with two of his four bisques left standing. So clearly at this stage the lawns were still very playable. And if Phil and Chris had managed to finish in good time then perhaps we could have got straight on with the second round. However, as I have got older and wiser, I have learned that life rarely works out quite so well. Whilst the rest of us were all enjoying the dry, warm conditions of the clubhouse and an early lunch, Phil and Chris were engaged in a battle. And the longer they played, the more it rained, and the steadier the rain fell. And by the time Phil pegged out, in his time turn, to win 26-15, puddles were definitely beginning to show sighs of forming.

Phil and Chris obviously needed a rest and a brew so there was a break before we started the afternoon singles. Which was optimistic, given the conditions and the forecast, but we had to try. However, it seemed only a matter of time before our old friend Lorna Ndwarda turned up, which she duly did about half an hour later. So after a quick conflab between the captains it was quickly agreed that with no prospect of conditions improving the remaining games were abandoned, bringing a very soggy end to the handicap season.

Posted by Lee, 15th September

Southport 4 Fylde 3

Southport: Bill Nicoll 7, Peter Will 10, David Venables 10, Gail Moors 11.
Fylde:Lee Hartley -1, Betty Bates 6, Phil Snowden 9, Ian Theakestone 10.

The day started with the doubles between Ian and Lee against Bill and Gail. Both teams played very well both defensively and in progression. The match finally finished 17-16 in favour of Fylde.

The two singles matches in the morning was extremely successful for the away team as they read the lawns better than the home side. Betty had a number of long hit ins but failed in at least 6 attempts at hoop one -most of which were within 8 inches. She could not string a break together- the reduction in handicap to 6 meant she was always on the back foot. The knowledge that this game was important too meant she wasn't as relaxed as she normally was. David beat Betty 22-9, Phil struggled to get going against Peter losing 17-5.

Result at lunch 2-1 to Southport

In the afternoon Lee methodically kept control winning 26-10 against Bill. Peter kept control of the game against Betty. It was only in the last few minutes that Betty got her eye in but it was too late to progress. Peter won 18-13.

Phil versus David was a nip and tuck affair with Phil eventually becoming the victor 20-16 Ian versus Gail was one to watch. Ian got to the peg first. Gail played magnificently after she ran out of bisques at hoop 3 in her next turn she hit in and went to 4 back without any. Ian pegged one of his balls out and Gail continued with precision going from 2 back to eventually win the game . 26-25.

The result in the end 4-3 to the deserved victors Southport. Fylde thanked the victors for their comradery and good humour and wished them well for their future finals match in the Longman Cup.

Posted by Betty, 31st August

Fylde 4 Pendle 3

Fylde :Andrew Webb 5, Betty Bates 8, Alan Morton 14, Barry Broughton 18.
Pendle: Robert Essler 0.5, Libby Dixon 12, Mark Kerr 14, Andrew Gould16

Morning double pairings of Betty and Alan versus Robert and Andrew G was a tight affair. At time it was all square so went to golden hoop. Alan made a long roquet and made the hoop helped by the opposition pioneers. Barry versus Mark was also drawn on time so another golden hoop with Barry being the victor. Libby did some remarkable hit ins and controlled play beating Andrew W 25-18

SCORE AT LUNCH 2-1 to Fylde.
Andrew W made easy work of beating Robert with the help of his unusual treat of bisques winning 26-2 with a bisque standing. Betty was always in control, made light of long hit ins and set breaks easily the end result was 26-3 to Betty.
Alan versus Mark was a tightly fought contest. Alan placed some wonderful pioneers and made light of the four ball break getting to four back in his first turn only using one bisque. Alan unfortunately lost the break due to taking croquet from the wrong ball allowing Mark the innings. Final score 24-21 to Pendle.
The match between Andrew G and Barry was a tightly fought affair with five minutes to go the game advantage oscillated between the pair. Barry pegged off one of his balls but unfortunately left his other in shot of his opponent who duly took advantage, went through rover and pegged himself out, the final score 26-25 to Pendle.

Posted by Betty 14th July

Bowdon 2 Fylde 5

Bowdon: Mike Shelmerdine 5, David Holland 6, Barry McKenzie 12, Ros Pimlot 16
Fylde: Lee Hartley -1, Betty Bates 8, Ian Theakstone 10, Barry Broughton 18

Round 1
Sunscreen and lots of water was the order of the day with scorching temperatures over 24 degrees. Morning doubles of Lee/Ian v Dave and Ros was no real contest as the away side had no bisques. Managers error perhaps with the pairings but request was made and so honoured. Bowdon won easily 26-2. Betty beat Mike 26-11 making light of long hit ins and break settings, managing to keep Mike very wide apart . Some tense moments as the ball narrowly missed by mm. Barry Broughton made use of his 10 bisques, setting precision breaks, to beat Barry M 26-9.

Round 2
Mike versus Lee was a tense one in the end, with Lee peeling his ball through Rover then hampering himself having to jump, which he did successfully but as it his his other ball meant that the rover peel was impossible. He sent both towards the peg and pegged one out, leaving Mike a long hit in- which he missed narrowly leaving Lee to completed the peg out. Winning 26-19 Dave versus Betty could have gone either way. Some spectacular long hit ins. David won 26-19. Ian beat Barry with another game that could have gone either way. Ian's placements accurate and hoop running almost faultless. Ian won 25-19. Barry versus Ros was a scrappy affair with both opponent making unforced errors. The result could have gone either way. A few confusing moments as Barry lost his train of thought and went through the wrong hoops causing a delay. Eventually Barry won 21-18

Both teams were glad to finish as the temperature soared. Bowdon lawns as ever wonderful. Thankfully not as fast as they can be, as they had not been cut due to weekend rain.

Posted by Betty 23rd June

Fylde 4 Bury Caesars 3

Fylde: Lee Hartley -1, Liz Wilson 5, Betty Bates 8, Alan Morton 14
Bury: Tony Philips 4 ½ , Roger Schofield6, Philip Hunter 9, Vi Richards 20

Round 1
Morning play saw Liz Alan doubled with Tony and Vi. The handicaps meant that the home team only had 1 ½ bisquest to play with and the away team 4 ½ - not many to fritter with either side. The play was scrappy finally finishing 15-5 in Bury's favour. Betty played Roger the game was pretty even throughout but Betty wasn't daunted by the long hit ins each time Roger progressed and made sure her balls were far apart . A game of attrition to the end with Betty the victor scoring 18-14. Lee played Philip who had a forest of bisques(10) , he was in awe of the man who managed to get to peg with his first ball using only two.Almost resigned to losing thinking the 8 bisques left would be enough... However- Lee the slowly, slowly, catch monkey type of guy just did what he does...went round pegged off one of his balls ...Philip on his turn always had his break set but faltered occasionally on the hoop approaches and his last two bisques were spent wind screen wiping at penult. Lee in the end the victor at 26-23

Round 2
Betty was never in it in the afternoon with Philip playing exhibition style croquet, everything as per manual...winning 26-9. Tony played Lee in the afternoon thinking his Christmas had come all at once with his unusual 5 ½ bisques. Having played on the same lawn in the morning he easily beat Lee 26-11 so a nerve racking time at the end...with the score at present 3-2 to Bury....but then...Wonder Liz did some remarkable 30 yard hit ins on at least half a dozen occasions and showed her true prowess winning 21-14....Last game of the day to finish Alan versus Vi, Alan played tremendously well showing that practice does pay off, his set breaks placed accurately, eventually winning us the match as he won 20 -8

How great it was to play on such a beautiful day, the atmosphere was friendly and at the end everyone (including the opposition) helped to put everything away without being asked. A true show of croquet fellowship.

Posted by Betty 22nd June

Fylde 4 Chester 3

Andrew Webb 5, Philip Snowden 8, Betty Bates 8, Ian Theakstone 9.
Mark Lloyd ½ , Robin Taskere 4, David Guyton 4 ½, Sally Slater 14.

Round 1
Pairing of Ian and Betty beat Mark and Robin 25-18, using the helpful bisques, but once the bisques ran out the play became more cagey. Ian’s approach to 6 rolled away at an acute angle, but he managed to recover by making an angle jump shot through it. Later the away team got their eye in, a number of 20 yard hit ins and negotiation of the undulating lawns increased their hoop count. Betty was unable to read the lay of the land, she had four shots at the peg and still didn’t manage to finish.
Philip made light work against David winning 20-12 .
Sally beat Andrew 18-12, Sally had some lovely shots in her armoury, her hoop running was wonderful, no doubt it will not be long before her handicap reduces significantly.

Round 2

Andrew beat Mark 23-15 making use of the unusual present of 4 ½ bisques.
Robin beat Philip 19-13, Robin made light of undulating lawns and was able to adjust his play with the experience of playing on the lawn in the previous game.
Betty had a nip and tuck game against David, on one occasion recovering from an underhit approach to a hoop with an angled jumpshot. The match could have gone either way throughout the 3 hours, but eventually she won 18-16.
Ian and Sally had a tight game, with Sally becoming the victor with a score of 20-16

The weather remained hot and sunny all day. The rain just started to spot when the hoops were put away. Many thanks to Liz and supporters for keeping the players fed and hydrated in the 24 degrees heat. The atmosphere was jolly and the epitome of a joyful summer game.

Posted by Betty 12th May

Crake 5 Fylde 2

Rain held, darker cloudy skies loomed in pathetic fallacy.

The lawns were fabulous and showed no sign of bogginess or evidence that it had ever rained previously.

Everyone commented on what great condition they were in and they ran even faster than Bowdon. All credit to the lawn management team!

Crake: Jim Alcock 4.5, John Henderson 4.5, Ian Tupling 9, Colin Dykes 18
Flyde: Lee Hartley -1, Philip Snowden 8, Betty Bates 8, Alan Morton 14

In the morning the double pairing of Lee and Alan beat Jim and Colin +5. Lee pegged out in the time turn at the third attempt. Phil versus Ian was eventful, Ian was very accurate on his roquets and croquets and ran some incredulous hoops which the audience deemed impossible. With an hour to go Phil was only on hoop 2 but manage to rally but unfortunately not well enough to beat the in form Ian. Ian won +7 Betty versus John started well for Betty, but she couldn't gauge the fast running lawn around the hoops. John and Betty were even with 45 minutes to go but John got his eye in and never missed a hoop winning +14.

In the afternoon the fun pairing of Lee and Jim, with Jim receiving bisques which was unusual. Jim was unable to take advantage of the extra turns. A non descript game neither played particularly well, but in the end Lee won convincingly +11 Betty versus Ian never really got going for Betty as she couldn't hit a barn door! After a walk to the river and giving herself a stern talking to she improved slightly hitting long roquets and then missing very short ones. Ian was predominantly faultless up to penult, but stuck in the jaw and used his one and only bisque to continue and win the game. +16.

In John and Philip's game it was a tussle to the end, with John making light of every opportunity eventually John won +8. Colin versus Alan's game was a tense struggle. Both players played cagily and often split their opponents across the lawn, so sitting down for a rest was rare. However at the end Colin prevailed winning 16-11.

The hospitality at Crake, as always friendly and accomodating.

Posted by Betty 26th April