The pristine lawns of Northampton Croquet Club provided the ideal setting for a thrilling encounter between Pinchbeck and Shrewsbury Croquet Clubs in the Longman Cup.
Played on neutral ground because of the distances between the two Clubs, Pinchbeck, from Lincolnshire, on their return to the competition after a number of years, provided a stern test to Shrewsbury, with three of the seven matches finishing with only a hoop between the teams.
It was a credit to the handicapping system that with only five minutes left on the clock, the result was far from certain, with two games hanging in the balance. However, finally, it was Shrewsbury who triumphed, with Alberto Porras and Margaret Extance holding their nerve under pressure to take the Shropshire Club through to the next round.
Played in good spirit throughout in perfect weather conditions, all the players offer their thanks and appreciation to their wonderful hosts at Northampton
Report by David Hart
Result – Shrewsbury 5 Pinchbeck 2 – Played on 15th May 2024 at Northampton Croquet Club
Morning singles Results ( Shrewsbury names first)
Phil Extance (10) beat Ken Knock (8) +1
David Hart (10) beat Mike Bowser (4) +18
Doubles Result
Margaret Extance(14) and Alberto Porras (20) lost to Charles Ostler (3.5) and David Boxell (22) -11
Afternoon singles Results
Phil Extance (10) lost to Charles Ostler(3.5) -3
David Hart (10) beat David Boxell (22) +7
Margaret Extance (14) beat Mike Bowser(4) +1
Alberto Porras (20) beat Ken Knock(8) +1