Category: Internal Competitions

We are planning to start a new box league playing the increasingly popular one-ball game. This is particularly aimed at higher handicappers and new players, but open to all.

The format will be a league with players of similar standard grouped into ‘boxes’ of three. Over a period of a month, the players will arrange to play each other in a best of 3 format. The player who wins most will move up the league for the next round.
The league will run year round, and players can join and leave as they wish.

If you would be interested in entering, please email nigelmatthews56@gmail.com

if you are new to Box Leagues you can read more by clicking here.
thanks
Nigel

The finals of the winter 1-ball competitions were held on Saturday 16th March.
Ed Cheetham, Garth Aspinall, John Bagnall and Robert Cutts-Watson qualified for the semi-finals having beaten Carol Steinberg, Janet Guthrie, David Beddy and Adrian Apps respectively.
Ed and John went on to beat Garth and Robert to set up a thrilling final which was eventually won by Ed.

The finals of the winter 14pt handicap finals were played on Thursday 21st March.
Adrian Apps beat Mike Steer and Nigel Matthews beat Charles Fraser in the semi-finals.
Nigel easily beat Adrian in the final with Mike gaining 3rd place.

A Reminder that entry for the Summer Club Competitions closes in a week (20th March).

ALSO, as per previous Messages, please ensure you have had your Handicap card checked and signed, otherwise you will not be able to enter theses competitions.

The final of the Winter Doubles proved to be a particularly exciting affair. Nigel Matthews and David Beddy faced Adrian Apps and Ed Cheetham. Both pairings played the ‘Alternative Shots’ version of doubles. Enthusiastic spectators braved the chilly temperatures but barely noticed the conditions as they were enthralled by the quality of the play.

The match started slowly with the advantage fluctuating between the pairings. Adrian and Ed (red and yellow) were slightly ahead after the early stages, but Nigel and David (blue and black) gradually ground out a small lead. With about 10 minutes to go Nigel and David had extended their lead. They were on 4 (black) and rover (blue), whilst Adrian and Ed were struggling on 2 (red) and 4 (yellow). As time was running out Nigel and David left Adrian an Ed’s balls well apart, but left their own balls about 4 yards apart on the north boundary near red’s hoop 2 . Surely they had the game sewn up!

The situation was that red would have to roquet yellow, and then somehow get to the hoop to level the scores. It was also clear that time was about to run out. An excellent long roquet on yellow was duly made. Now the real work began with Adrian and Ed carefully negotiating their way around and completing the turn to hoop with red. At the end of that turn they left blue and black well apart and needed to set up red and yellow at hoop 4 and hope that Nigel and David failed to hit in. However, in rolling red and yellow down to hoop 4 there was a problem. The player, who shall be nameless, but he really should know better, managed to send the yellow off the south boundary and leave red about 2 yards north of hoop 4. Nigel and David missed their very long roquet. Now Ed had to try and make an 8 yard roquet under extreme tension. He achieved this with casual aplomb, and Adrian placed yellow in front of hoop 2 for Ed to make the Golden Hoop victory. Loud applause was given by the multitude of lucky spectators.

A great final to this winter competition. Congratulations to Adrian and Ed.

The summer knockout competitions are now open for registration. Click on the ‘lawns’ box and select ‘Competitions’ then register as normal.
The fees are as last year – £2.50 per competition with maximum of £10.
Members can enter their own class and the one above their handicap ie. a D class player can enter the C class competition.

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.