Category: Internal Competitions

There are two knockout competitions being run over the winter which are open to all members. Firstly, a 14 point singles handicap event, and secondly a 14 point alternate  stroke doubles handicap event. 
If you have organised a partner for the doubles, please both register and then message Nigel Matthews separately to say who you are playing with. otherwise pairs will be allocated randomly.
To register go to the booking system, click on the box below the date heading which says ‘Lawns’ and then select ‘competitions’ from the drop-down box. Choose the competition you want to enter and register as normal. Registration is open until 31st October.

Five new members competed on Sunday 8th Oct for the Fotiadi Bowl in this year’s Novices Competition. This was the first time since 2016 the tournament has been held.

On a fine and sunny day, David Beddy, Ed Cheetham, John Bagnall, Robert Cutts-Watson and Garth Aspinall played in four rounds of 14pt short lawn games. The final was an exciting and nail-biting game between David Beddy and Ed Cheetham. David finally coming from behind to win by +4.

After the presentation by Vice-President, Liz Webb, of the Fotiadi Bowl to David, the players and spectators enjoyed tea and cakes courtesy of Liz and her team.

Thanks to the organisers, Andrew Winn and Nigel Matthews, and to grounds manager, Alan Mayne

Owing to lack of numbers registered, the Wednesday competition on 27th Sept is cancelled.
However if you want to play there is no reason for turning up and taking on the other brave souls who are not put off by impending storm Agnes.

Please note that the Lawns are bing switched to 3/4 size on Tuesday 10th and Wednesday 11th October, as such there will be limited availability for play on these days.

Thereafter,
Mondays – morning 14 point roll up will continue, primarily aimed at beginners
Tuesdays – Solomon Grundy – moving back to Tuesdays from 17 October
Wednesdays – free play
Thursdays – 14 point competition – from 12 October
Fridays – free play
Saturdays – winter one-ball competition – from 14 October
Sundays – free play

There will be two knockout competitions;
– 14 point handicap singles
– 14 point handicap alternate stroke doubles
— details on entry to follow

The box leagues will also continue through the winter

Thanks
Nigel

The Fotiadi Bowl, or to give its formal name “The Fotiadi Novices Silver Challenge Bowl” is to be played on Sunday 8th October,. Matches will start at 10:30 and play is likely to conclude around 17:30.

The Bowl is open to all new players who joined the club in 2023. Also eligible are those new players who joined in 2022 and whose current handicap is 20+.

The matches will be played on the short lawns. Registration is now open and will close on 30th September.

To register please following this link to the Lawn Booking system. Select 8th October in the calendar, click on the Lawns, drop down box and alter to Competitions and enter your name. See screen shots below:

The trophy was given by Mrs. Alexandra Fotiadi (who was a member from 1939 until her death in 1990 and Club President 1972-1981).  She was for many years one of the best women players in Britain.  Her support of the Club provided the springboard for its regeneration in the late 1970s.  The term “Novices” has evolved, ranging as high as Handicap 10, but since the mid 1970s covering only newcomers in their first season.  Now extended to first two seasons.

Current club members that have previously won the Bowl include:
Colin Irwin, Brian Story, Andrew Winn, Steve Reynolds, Barry McKenzie, Brian Rust, Andrew Kenyon, Stephen Moores, Richard Saul and most recently John Lambie.

Any queries please contact Nigel Matthews on tel: 07775 928 738

20 players had a great time over 2 days of competition. The weather was far better than the dire forecasts. One brief shower each day could not dampen our spirits. Lorna managed the Tournament with efficiency, humour and sweeties, as we know she can. Kay was in charge of the biccies and cakes, Angharrad supplied cakes and there were some homemade goodies from Sylvia. As Liz Webb said in addressing the closing ceremony, “The Commonwealth Games is known as the ‘Friendly Games’, and this proved to be a very Friendly Tournament”.

Below are contestants, winners all, awaiting the closing ceremony.

Andrew Jackson, who only started playing in April, won the Bowdon Short Croquet Tournament 2023. The final was contested by Andrew (9) and Alan Mayne (2 peels). Initially Alan got in and took his Black to 3. Andrew promptly took his Red to peg using 3 bisques to do so. Andrew’s leave was well organised, but Alan hit in with Blue from over 20 yards and played a wonderful break. Alan peeled his Black through hoops 3 and 4 to complete his peels, and went on to peg Red out. Andrew was left with his Yellow, for hoop 1, in corner 3, Blue in corner 2 and Black on the South boundary near corner 4. He shot for Blue and missed. Taking another bisque, Andrew roqueted Blue and croqueted it to hoop 1. Then he shot for Black, missed, and took another bisque to make the roquet. Then he croqueted Black to hoop 2 with Yellow to hoop 1. From then on Andrew played a steady, careful break to win the game +4, with 2 bisques unused. Alan was pleased that Andrew had taken his advice on how to play! As Alan said later, “It would have been interesting if I had pegged my Blue out along with Red”. Well done both players for providing a fascinating and skilful final that the spectators appreciated.

In the Quarter-finals Andrew had beaten Phil Eardley +14, Charles Harding had beaten Carol Steinberg +8, Alan Mayne had beaten Alan Dix +11 and Cas Sinclair had beaten Brian Medley +8.

In the semi-finals, Andrew had beaten Charles Harding +14 and Alan had beaten Cas Sinclair +6.

The Egyptian was won by Alan Dix, who was just 1 point ahead of Brian Medley.

Liz Webb, Vice-President of Bowdon CC, presented the trophies with her usual style.

Andrew had his Short handicap reduced to 7. John Lucas had his handicap raised from 0 to 0.5. John politely thanked Alan Dix for his last defeat (0 – 14 to Alan!) which sealed the handicap change.

The Bowdon Short Croquet Tournament has been made into an internal affair instead of a CA event, next Tuesday and Wednesday (1st and 2nd of August). The tournament has attracted a full complement of 2 guests and 18 Bowdon members who will compete for the trophy. The 3 short lawns and lawn 1 (divided into 2 short lawns) will be occupied by the tournament for most of the 2 days. Lawns 2 and 3 will be available for general play. Lorna Frost is the tournament manager so good behaviour is guaranteed.

The two invited guests are Roger Schofield of Bury and Phil Eardley of Surbiton, both of whom are regular visitors to Bowdon. The Bowdon players are:

We wish them all good luck, fine weather and lots of fun.