Category: News

Bowdon played away and won against High Wycombe in the semi-final of the Croquet Association AC Inter-Club Mary Rose knock-out competition, on Saturday 10 September.

This national CA competition is for Advanced play, by teams with members having handicaps of 0 and above, and an aggregate handicap of at least 4. Bowdon’s aggregate handicap was 5.5. High Wycombe’s aggregate handicap was 19. This gave Bowdon cause for optimism and they duly ran out the winners 6 – 0. One morning game was pegged down so that it could be continued if necessary following the afternoon games.

Initial comments from Bowdon were that the lawns looked, and in fact were, fantastic. Alan reckons they were the best he’s ever seen.

This resounding victory puts Bowdon into the final against Hurlingham who beat Watford 4 – 3 in the other semi-final.

Bowdon’s successful team was:

In the morning games Alan (0) and Michael (1.5) beat Richard Peperath (2.5) and Ed Olhavern (3.5) +1. Mike & Alan raced away whilst feeling confident. Richard and Ed slogged away and all of a sudden it was terrifyingly close. Fortunately Alan & Mike kept their nerve and ended up winning +1. Prior to Chris Pegrum (8) and Charle’s (2) morning game, Chris said he hadn’t played advance before and asked “what’s a lift”. Maybe Chris didn’t know what a lift was but he knew all about break play!! Charles had to keep his focus and eventually won +11. The game between Brian (2) and Keith Harker (5) was pegged down.

The afternoon singles games went fairly smoothly with the temporary team captain (Mike) racing away to finish first. The other games went at a more pedestrian pace but still provided the results to put Bowdon in the final in October. Alan beat Richard +5, Michael beat Ed +5, Brian beat Chris +20 and Charles beat Keith +24

21 ‘veteran’ players gathered at Hurlingham this week for a Midweek Veteran’s Advanced Handicap tournament. Somehow or other Barry McKenzie (handicap 9), Charles Harding (handicap 2) and Liz Webb (handicap 11) had successfully convinced the CA that they are in the 60 and over age group. Players handicaps ranged from -0.5 to 11.

Liz played brilliantly, as we know she can, winning the event by winning all 5 of her games. Her handicap was reduced from 11 to 10. Barry won 2 out of 5 games and his handicap was raised from 9 to 10. Charles won 3 out of 5 games. They all insist that we must never ask them about what went on at the ‘Eight Bells’ every night.

Liz is seen here receiving the trophy:

Well done Liz.

During early September the CA ‘Eights Week’ competition is played. This involves players who the CA deems suitable for the competition. Players can make themselves available or be invited. Players are placed into one of 5 groups which are: President’s Cup, Chairman’s Salver, Spencer Ell Cup, Treasurer’s Tankard, and Selectors’ Weekend. The first four events will be played for by, respectively, the first, second, third and fourth best eight players entering Eights Week.

The Selectors’ Weekend will be played by 16 players. It is intended to provide an opportunity for those who have not established a record sufficient for an Eights place to play amongst themselves and with stronger established players. It is played as two blocks of eight, with the top two players from each block qualifying for a knockout to determine the winner. Accordingly, players will normally be selected if they show some promise even though they may have few results.

Alison Maugham is playing in the Chairman’s Salver competition at East Dorset, 8 – 11 September. Robert Essler is playing in the Selector’s Weekend at Ramsgate, 9 – 12 September.

We wish them good luck and fine weather.

Bowdon play away against High Wycombe in the semi-final of the Croquet Association AC Inter-Club Mary Rose knock-out competition, on Saturday 10 September

This national CA competition is for Advanced play, by teams with members having handicaps of 0 and above, and an aggregate handicap of at least 4.

Bowdon’s experienced team is:

We wish them good luck and fine weather.