Fylde 5 Chester 2

Fylde: Liz Wilson, Andrew Webb, Betty Bates, Barry Broughton.
Chester: Robin Tasker, David Boyd, Paul Watson, Helen Brophy.

The pairing of Liz and Barry beat Robin and David 26-0 Barry made good use of his bisques and controlled the four ball break fabulously. Betty beat Helen 26-5 and controlled the game throughout with Helen unusually missing her short roquets. Paul and Andrew's match was a tussle with Paul eventually the victor winning 14 -13 Result at half time Fylde 2-1

Afternoon games Liz beat Robin outstandingly 26-15 , Chester’s David beat Andrew 19-10 with Andrew having some real bad luck missing on occasions with his roquets by millimetres or going off the lawn. Paul versus Betty was an Aunt Emma affair but Betty was on form making long roquets on each occasion. She beat Paul 20 -13. Barry played excellently against Helen winning 26 -5 . Helen unable to get to grips with the Fylde lawns .

The day was enhanced by the wonderful flypast of the red arrows on their way to Blackpool airport.

Posted by Betty, 14th September

Fylde 7 Bowdon 0

Fylde: Betty Bates 9 (C ), Alan Morton 14, Barry Broughton 18, Philip Bass 20.
Bowdon: Andrew Thomson 4.5,Mike Shelmerdine 5, David Holland 6, Carol Sinclair 14

At half time the scores were 3-0 in favour of Fylde Bowdon fielded a predominantly low handicapped team so were outbisqued in the two singles. The undulations in the lawns did neither team any favours. Doubles pairing of Betty and Alan beat Andrew and Carol 26-15, Barry beat Mike 26-9, Philip beat David 26-6.

2nd Round
In the match Betty v Andrew, Betty used up her bisques relatively quickly windscreen wiping but managed to get a couple of hoops. Andrew made two errors which cost him dearly as his scuppered hoop shots meant Betty’s ball was closest and she made the most of the opportunities. When not as confident she made sure Andrew’s balls were distanced and he was unable to hit in, missing on a number of occasions by only mm. The croquet God’s were on Fylde’s side. Game finished 26-12. Alan beat Mike 21-9 Barry beat David 25-10 taking advantage of his bisques. Barry’s bisques were enhanced by David’s lower than base handicap. Philip versus Carol was a cat and mouse affair, even up to the last minute the result could have gone either way. Eventually Philip beat Carol 20-19.

Posted by Betty, 22nd August

Pendle 4 Fylde 3

Fylde visited Pendle with 3 high bisquers (Philip 20, Barry 20 and Catherine22!) along with Liz (4 ½ )

The morning doubles was a tussle with Philip and Catherine taking on Libby and Robin with Libby and Robin winning 17 - 13 on time.

The two singles games were both won decisively by Barry hitting a purple patch and beating Paul Dowdall 26 - 0 with 7 bisques standing.

An off form Liz lost to an on form Garry 4 - 26. On the afternoon Paul Dowdall made short work of Liz winning 26 - 0 with a bisque standing.

Garry played a clever tactical game against Barry and managed to "persuade" him into frittering all his bisques beating Barry 26 - 17. With the match already lost for Fylde Catherine and Philip both came good winning their final games. The final score 4 - 3 to Pendle.

Posted by Catherine 20th June

Fylde 4 Bury 3

Fylde Andrew Webb 4 Ian Theakstone (c) 9 Philip Bass 20 Catherine Bass 22.
Bury David Barret 4 Tony Phillips 4 Roger Scofield 6 Margaret Eccles 12.

Ian and Catherine played David and Roger Ian went to peg in one go using 3 of the bisques to give a good start.Then it was on Cath to get the hoops which she did to give us a good 21 - 17 win.

Andrew against Tony resulted in a desisive win for Andrew 26 - 10.Philip had a tough game with Margaret with an eventual win 15 - 13. Fylde 3 nil up !!! Andrew trounced David 26-2 in what was to be our winning game. Ian lost to Tony 18 - 26. Pilip lost to Roger 13 - 26 and Catherine lost to Margaret 12 - 17. Well done team.

Posted by Ian, 29th June

Southport 1 Fylde 4

The doubles was on court 1 but despite the shade of the pavilion gallery, all the players took seats near hoop one in the Sunshine. The other matches were on the two far end lawns. Iced water a plenty was provided. Peter finished quickly with a rover peel and retired to the gallery for Coronation Chicken Salad while watching the doubles.

Soon, Liz came back as well, but the doubles was set to go to time. Both sides holding onto their one remaining bisque and Fylde holding onto a two hoop lead.

But then Anne hit a long one and it was the time to play the bisque under favourable circumstances. But, as can happen in doubles , Anne had not had a significant break in the preceding 150 minutes and that lack of court time manifest itself in her only running one hoop. Fylde saw the last few moments of the game out.

When we restarted play the Sun was high and the conditions very difficult. Hats off to Barry for showing great composure at the trecherous gates of hoop one. The dry lawns amplified every hill and valley of the approach but a mini disaster turned into strong resolve! A great game which may have gone either way was eventually in the bag for Fylde.

Bill had a great start against Liz, hitting everything. But the Boss showed up with her experience. eventually taking control and sealing the match.

Barbara against Peter saved the whitewash . At about the two hour mark both her balls were for two back. Barbara nursed them round in six breaks to four back. Pete's six 15 yarders were sometimes quite close. Ahead with both balls and time running out Peter melted in the heat.

Thanks to Southport for giving us three wonderful lawns today and for their sportsmanship and friendship all day.

Posted by Peter 15th June