On Sunday 18th August Bowdon Griffins beat Bury Peelers 4 – 3 in a tight match at Bowdon. This match was in the Croquet North West Association Croquet 26 point Handicap League. The match was very close, despite Bowdon winning all 3 games in the morning. The morning doubles was the closest game which went to a Golden Hoop. Griffins’ John Lucas and Carol Steinberg revived their Bowdon trophy winning doubles partnership of 2022, and had a 6 point lead with time running out. Chris Williamson hit in a 20 yarder and made an excellent 6 point break to level the scores with time up. John then hit in from about 13 yards, split Chris and David Barrett’s balls and joined up with Carol’s ball. David shot at Chris’s ball and missed. John was able to make the Golden Hoop for a win. What may have looked to be a straightforward afternoon, with Griffins only needing one win out of four games, proved to be anything but. Fortunately John secured a win against David fairly quickly. In that game both players sent a ball through the wrong hoop! Well it was a hot day, and both players are getting on a bit! The other three afternoon singles went Bury Peeler’s way for Bowdon to win 4-3. Chris Williamson showed himself to be an exciting new player for Bury Peelers, and we will watch his development with interest. Well done Griffins.
Griffins now lie in second place in the League, ahead of Fylde on game difference, but Fylde have a match in hand. Because Griffins only have one more match to play they cannot overtake the top club, Southport, who are 4 points ahead.
Griffins fielded a strong team, as below, with their handicaps:
Bury Peelers’ team, with their handicaps, was: Paul Kenworthy 1, David Barrett 5, Richard Leach 9 and Chris Williamson 11.
Game results were as follows, with Griffins’ scores first.
Morning doubles; John and Carol beat David and Chris 14 – 13 (‘Golden Hoop’)
Morning singles; Adrian beat Richard 26-20, and Andrew beat Paul 26 – 0
Afternoon singles; Adrian lost to Paul 18-21, John beat David 26-6, Andrew lost to Richard 15-26 and Carol lost to Chris 4-19.