Nailsea and District Croquet Club

The Croquet Courts are in Kenford Park
off Avening Close, Trendlewood Way, Nailsea, North Somerset.

August Weekend Handicap Tournament

Winner: Brian McCausland

Nailsea Croquet Club held its August Handicap Tournament last weekend. Fourteen competitors took part; seven were members of Nailsea Croquet Club and seven were visitors. In the first round each Nailsea member played a visitor. Linda Shaw was the first to finish beating Owen Bryce from Northampton by 24 and gaining her bronze award for completing ten or more hoops in one turn using bisques. Nailsea players won six of the seven first round games.

The players had a shock at lunchtime when one of them collapsed and was rushed to hospital. He had had a mild heart attack, but is reported to be comfortable and making a good recovery.

In the second round Linda was involved in the longest game of the tournament, when she and Steve Walker finished level at the end of the 3¼-hour time limit and play continued for a further 20 minutes before Steve scored the golden hoop to win the game. After two rounds Steve Walker, Kathy Wallace and Brian McCausland were joint leaders on two wins. Six players opted to play a third game Saturday evening. Jim Field had his second win of the day, and the other two games were pegged down overnight.

The following morning Steve Walker and Brian McCausland finished their game with Brian winning by one on time to take the overall lead. In the fourth round Brian beat Kathy by 22 to keep the lead, but Steve maintained his challenge with a 26-nil win over Jim Field. In the final round Steve beat Harry Midgley ( Exeter ) by 14 points on time and Brian needed to beat Richard Jelly ( Bath ). He managed to use his handicap advantage to build up a comfortable lead in the first two hours. Richard got back into the game during the final hour, but finished just three points behind Brian. Brian therefore kept his lead and won the tournament; he also gained a handicap reduction from 14 to 12. Steve took second place and Neil Kellett ( Cheltenham ) who had lost his first round game won the next three to take third place. Both Steve and Neil are beginners this year, Neil taking up the game in January and Steve joining a beginners' class in May.

Please pay us a visit. Visitors and new members welcome at any time.
We supply all equipment.  All you need are flat soled shoes to wear on court.