chester 7 Fylde 11

Coasters

Following a positive lawn fitness report from Chester’s non playing captain, Jude, at 0715 hrs we set off southbound.

The rain accompanied us all the way to Chester apart from the last few miles as the Sun tried to shine through some dark and threatening clouds. One team member had brought clothing suitable for a trek in the Himalayan foothills but as the day progressed the clouds avoided the lawns and we had a grand croquet-day out.

Robert fresh from his reduction to 7 a few weeks ago failed to get a win all day. He’s back to a well deserved 8 which could be described as a negative trigger. Barbara B, however, scored her first match victory and went on to win two more. A fantastic performance.

Claire triggered to 6 having won 3 out of 4 and John P won 4 out of 4 which was a mars bar winning performance. Non playing captain Ursula please note, he prefers the wafer texture of a 4 fingered Kit-Kat which he would savour with his mid morning cuppa.

Their downhill lawns were perfect and we had the use of all 4 which meant no double banking and therefore no excuse for stand-in captain Robert who bravely motivated the team from behind to an 11-7 victory remarking that the burden of responsibility must have been the cause of his ineptitude. Come back Ursula we need you.

Posted by Robert, 6th June

FYLDE 8 Bury North 10

Falcons

Falcons: Alison Broughton 8, Barbara Walker 12, Colin Galbraith 9, Ted Walker 12.
Bury N: David Parrott 9, Chris Williams 8, Ian Saunders 5, Dawn Meachin 11.

We arrived at the lawns at 9am only to find our opposition had been there since 08.30! Between us we set up the lawns, brewed tea/coffee offered biscuits and were ready to play by 9.30. Conditions were ideal, (not the rain originally forecast) with a steady breeze. FALCONS won both the opening pairs games. Colin & Ted found themselves 3 hoops adrift at hoop 13 but won a long struggle to win at hoop 15. However the good start spurred Bury and to a lead 6 – 4 at lunch. The remaining 8 games were shared to give the away team an 8 – 10 victory. Special mention to David Parrott 9 and Dawn Meachin 11 who won all 4 of their singles. Carrot cake finished the day.

Posted by, Barbara W, 31st May

Fylde 10 Pendle B 8

Coasters

Well, I was expecting a day playing in the rain going off my weather forcaster. However, the day was dry when I got to the Club and stayed that way all morning. One doubles match was over in reasonable time so Robert got on with his next game and I was thinking that Gill and I would wait for the other to finish as I was not due to play Gill until the afternoon. As the doubles match was taking a while I was thinking maybe we should start to play but when I checked out where they were up to it was not worth it. One all in the doubles.

Pendle had a lot of catching up to do in the afternoon as we were winning 5-3. As we were having lunch it threw it down the rains came and lashed on the windows. Luckily we were all nice and dry having our lunch and by the time we were ready to start again the rain had just about stopped and the sun shone again all afternoon. Robert even braved his shorts! So, with Pendle having to play catch up we were off again. The last match to finish was between Gill and Ursula and I am glad that I did not know that the whole match depended on my winning it. I did win so we won 10-8. A good fight back by Pendle. The new Pavilion did us proud too.

Posted by, Ursula, 19th May

FYLDE 9 Crake valley 9

Falcons

FYLDE Alison Broughton 8, Ted Walker 10, Lindsay Campbell 11, Barbara Walker 12.
CRAKE John Bowes 7, Ian Potts 9, Karen Bowes 6, Ray Hodgson 5.

The north wind did blow and rain forecast for late afternoon started at 10.30 and slowly got heavier as the day wore on. Felt like winter croquet! Many layers needed to keep warm. We made a good start winning both doubles 7 – 3 & 7 – 2. Crake fought back winning 5 of the 8 morning singles, all square at lunch.

The afternoon games were shared at 4 each, so the final score - a draw at 9 each. Our top scorer was Barbara with 3 ½ points only losing 1 singles game to Karen. The birdsong lasted all day and Crake players enjoyed their first visit to our sanctuary so close to the razzamatazz of Blackpool.

The day finished with tea and cake enjoyed by all. Shout out to Barry for setting up the lawns .

Posted by, Barbara W, 30th April

SOUTHPORT HAWKS 12 FYLDE 6

Falcons

Hawks: Wendy Cawley 9, Dilys Hooper 10, Liam O'Brien 10, Peers Cawley 11.
Fylde: Barry Broughton 8, Colin Galbraith 9, Ted Walker 10, Barbara Walker 11.

The day started cool but soon warmed up as the sun shone but a gusty wind made tricky conditions.

It was not a good start of the seasons for the Falcons. The hard, dry, fast lawns caught us all by surprise, particularly in the 2nd pairs game. Dylis & Liam v Colin & Ted - this game took an hour and twenty minutes to produce a 7 - 4 win for the home side!

Thankfully the singles were completed more quickly and by lunch we were only 2 games down. The break suited the home side and the finish was a 12 - 6 win for the Hawks.

Posted by, Barbara W, 30th April