Back to Journal Index

Saturday and Sunday, 9 and 10 July 2005

Doubles Competition

Six people entered the Doubles Competition at the weekend and it was decided that level Play would lead to the best contest.

On Saturday afternoon, Richard Delmas teamed up with Adrienne Griffiths to play Jim Gregory and David Hunt. Early progress was slow with only David running more than one hoop. However Richard seized an opportunity and put an excellent 7-hoop break together, leaving his side in the lead. Jim fought back steadily and in the nick of time ran his 6th hoop to secure victory by +1T.

Sunday morning brought Violet Delmas and Ian Telfer to face David and Jim. This was another very close game. After 3 and a quarter hours, the scores were level so it was Golden Hoop time. Jim was the first to get in front of his hoop and on his next turn, he dutifully scored the point to clinch another +1T victory and also win the trophy for himself and David.

The Sunday afternoon game was to decide second place in the competition but was equally exciting. Richard, playing with Adrienne, was the first to make a significant break and played beautifully to get round to the peg. It was only a question of time before Ian would get through Rover and try to peg Richard out. Things didn't go completely smoothly for Ian but he did eventually get round. A fascinating duel followed with each trying to peg the other out. Richard made an attempt at the pegout but missed. At the same time, his own ball hit the peg so, under the rules of Level Play, it scored the point and left the lawn. At this point, Richard and Adrienne were 6 points ahead but reduced to one ball. Ian and Violet still had both balls on the lawn but time was running out. They nearly managed to catch up but lost by -2T after some valiant hoops from Violet.

The 3 close matches provided superb spectator sport and were played in very competitive but good-natured spirit.

Pictured left to right:
Violet, Jim, Richard, Adrienne, David, Ian

Back to Journal Index