Fylde 5 Bowdon Weekdayers 3

Fylde: Ian Theakstone 3.5, Alison Broughton 6, Derek Matthews 8, Robert Bentwood 10.
Bowdon Weekdayers: Alan Mayne 4p, Kay Martin 2, Carol Steinburg 7, Mike Dale 9

Fylde welcomed the Weekdayers to Sunny Blackpool - at least to begin with! The first round saw us draw 2 games apiece with Robert and Ian beating Kay and Carol respectively. Robert had an impressive game with a nicely constructed 3 ball break and a peel to beat Kay 14-3.

The 2nd round started with some light drizzle which before long turned into steady rain which saw us swapping umbrellas over as we took our turns on the lawns. Obviously used to playing in damp conditions - albeit not This season! - we took 3 of the 4 games with wins for Robert, Derek and Alison.

Over a damp lunch break with no sign of the rain easing at all the Captains Alan and Alison came to an agreement to abandon the match.

Posted by Alison, 7th September

Bowdon Weekenders 8 Fylde 8

Fylde: Peter Wilson 0:5 , Liz Wilson 0:5 , Barry Broughton 5, Alison Broughton 6.
Bowdon Weekenders: Lorna Frost 3:5, David Beddy 3, Cas Sinclair 3:5, Alison Acton 10.

Fylde travelled to Bowdon for the second time on 3 days for the short team to play the Weekenders. Another very warm, still day and with the Bowdon lawns like an ice rink it took some time to get used to the fast pace.

However the first round of the day went our way winning 3 of the 4 games. A very close finish between David & Alison who was able to win by one point after David (Following Acton doing the same thing against Peter ten minutes earlier) had mistakenly tried to peg himself out whilst his partner ball had yet to run hoop 6. Alison was able to get back on the lawn after time and run one more hoop, score 8-9 to Fylde.

After a cooling drink Bowdon came back refreshed for a clean sweep in Round 2.

After lunch Fylde bounced back winning 3 games meaning that we went into the final round all square and all to play for.

Everyone was tired and weary in the heat of the afternoon trying to find some shade. The honours were shared with wins for Alison and Liz meaning a draw overall.

Thanks to Bowdon for their refreshing jugs of iced water to keep us going all day and a lovely slice of lemon cake to send us off on our way home!

Posted by Alison, 17th August

Fylde 6 Chester 3

Fylde: Lee Hartley 3P, Barry Broughton 5, Alison Broughton 6.
Chester: Andy Wilson-Chalon 3, Sally Slater 4, Michael Fletcher 7

Unfortunately Chester were only able to muster 3 players for this match, with one player dropping out a few days beforehand and an agreement was reached that Fylde would also have a team of 3. A disappointing start to the day but not as disappointing as the weather as we set the lawns up in driving rain ! Fortunately the rain eased off at 10am and after round 1 we had all dispensed with the rain gear.

Round 1 saw 2 wins for Fylde with Chester’s Michael winning with a close 9-10 over Lee.

In Round 2 Barry had been able to watch Michael playing as his match against Sally was over quickly and having observed his play and use of bisques he was emboldened to go to peg with his 1st ball. Mistake - as Michael has obviously warmed up and went straight to peg himself and pegged Barry off.

Lee had a straightforward win over Andy, 14-0, which as Andy later told me he enjoyed the demonstration!

In Round 3 Alison played Michael, both in good form having won both their first 2 games. Michael won the toss but his break broke down and he decided to come off at hoop 4. Alison played a neat round to Rover and after that it became a very tactical game - no bisques left for either player - Alison attempted to peg out twice but had to retreat whilst splitting Michael’s balls up and hiding. Third time lucky, Michael missed a long hit in and Alison won 14-8.

Posted by Alison, 3rd August

LLanfairfechan 6 Fylde 10

Peter's Puzzel Picture: Red, responsible for everything, has just stuck in hoop 4. Yellow in the box, Black for hoop 1 and Blue is a Rover. Black can not see Blue (Hampered) but lifting it to try to hit Blue is both risky, (because after running 4, Red may rush blue nearer to Hoop 5 and even finish) and not much use, (because all you can achieve is to move Red back and join up by Red's hoop.). Playing Blue at Red conceeds an important hoop and makes no progress.

What to do? Have a think and then read on.

First round Liz was fortunate enough to play a competitor very new to the game and she confused him with a totally unconventional opening from which he did not recover. In 2nd round you could have thought there was a new version of A/C as three of the games ended with the yellow ball pegged out. All 3 games were won by Fylde with only Liz being beaten by the lovely Cecilia aged well over 80! Throughout the day Fred was thirsty for knowledge and learned a lot. Did you know that if you take a ½ bisque and put oppo through their hoop it does not count (During a half bisque turn NO point can be scored). He was given some tips by Liz and Peter but not until after the match was over and now is even better at 3 ball breaks and cannons.

Peter took a chance and (important: using an umpire) shot Blue into B Baulk wired from Black. Red ran the hoop, missed Black, putting a pioneer at Black's hoop. Peter lifted Black to East of Blue on B Baulk to get a rush on Blue towards hoop 2 and went on to make a break and win the game.

Posted by Alison, 5th July

Fylde 8 Southport 8

Fylde: Betty Bates (2) Barry Broughton (5) Alison Broughton (6) Robert Bentwood (10).
Southport: Bill Nichol (1.5) Tony Thomas (2) David Venables (3.5) Tina Kelly (9).

The Southport team arrived very early expecting lots of traffic through Preston only to realise that it was a Sunday and the works traffic was non existent! After a welcome drink we began our day of competitive croquet.

In the first round Robert met Tony. Robert took his first ball to peg. Tony also went to peg on his first turn and pegged him out. Robert then took his turn with 3 balls to peg and won 14-6 with 45 minutes left on the clock.

Betty’s first game also finished early as David missed some long roquets by mm. Betty used her bisques during her first turn and then she did a long hit in and manoeuvred the balls to get to rover with her second.

Alison won the toss against Bill and set up her break very nicely using 2 bisques. Despite this she then used most of her bisques up as she clanged hoops 1 & 2 thereby only getting to hoop 3 before walking off. She clawed her way back and at time, when Bill was on the lawn, it was 10-10. Alison’s yellow ball was on the line in front of hoop 5 and her only chance of scoring was to hoop - which she did to both her and Bills, amazement. 11-10 to Fylde.

Betty vs Tina was neck and neck at 50 minutes. Tina approached the peg and missed with her forward ball and pegged out her other. Betty then had a shot at her ball but if she had hit her full on she would’ve pegged her out. An angled shot hit her ball away and she was then able to peg out, score 14-13 to Fylde.

Betty’s final game against Bill was crucial as we needed Betty to win to secure a draw - 14-9 to Fylde!

Well done all team members and especially to Betty, winning all 4 games.

Posted by Alison, 15th June

Westmorland 8 Fylde 8

Westmorland: Roger Brooks 3P, Robert Harvey 3.5, Sue Pritchard 4, Mike Hodgson 7.
Fylde: Ian Theakstone 3, Barry Broughton 5, Alison Broughton 6, Robert Bentwood, 10.

It’s always a pleasure to visit Levens Hall especially on a day when the rain held off for the most part only gracing the lawns with a light shower during our final round. As usual we had plenty of interested spectators.

The first round was a draw with Barry and Robert both winning against Mike and Robert. Robert was our only player to beat Roger, using his bisque advantage to good effect. Barry pegged out his game with 1 bisque left unused.

Round 2 saw Fylde take the lead by winning 3 out of the 4 games. Alison was up against Roger, 3P, who deftly executed a text book game leaving Alison watching admiringly. Barry beat Sue 14-1 his game over in 30 minutes.

After lunch Westmorland turned the table winning 3-1. Ian's game against Robert was very close, running out of time and ending with an 11-10 defeat for Fylde. In Round 3 Barry was playing Roger who bamboozled him by going to peg and peeling the first of his 3 peels whilst Barry was sat waiting to put his 2nd ball on the lawn! Alison was able to peel her balls through Rover and go to peg, taking Mikes black ball off and leaving him with his blue ball yet to start.

Round 4 saw Alison complete a quick game against Sue winning 14-1 giving us time to watch the other games. A draw hinged on Barry beating Mike which he did 14-6.

Posted by Alison, 9th June

Bury 10 Fylde 6

We were full of optimism and raring to go! At least the sun kept its promise of shining all day as our hopes were deflated of a win with each round. Robert and Barry won 2 out of their 4 games whilst Ian and Alison managed one win each. It took us all some time to adjust to the very fast lawns and of course, a very experienced opposition. Barry was off to a slow start with 2 losses but after lunch he pulled it back to win both games. We all played better in the afternoon session and although Alison lost 13 - 8 to Richard he told her that it was the first time someone had taken him to time for 2 seasons. Ian’s match against David was very close with Ian just edging in front.

Posted by Alison, 13th April