Ten people took part in this season’s 18-Point Handicap competition, which took place on the 24th and 25th of August. With rain in the forecast, some disruption was expected but the weather gods were kind enough to arrange for most of it to fall during our lunch break, ensuring that we kept mostly to schedule.
Two blocks of five played ‘all play all’. Block A was decided in the final round of games, where the winner of David v Mike would go through to the final. David booked his place with a +8 win, leaving him unbeaten. Block B was not as clear-cut. Going into the final round, it was possible to have a five-way tie depending on the results. In the event, Alberto and Phil both won their final games to have three wins out of four. Alberto qualified for the final on the ‘who beat whom’ rule, having beaten Phil by +10 in the opening game.
Max also deserves special mention for a superb display of hitting in and hoop running to beat Brian 18-0 in a Block B game. Brian was very impressed.
And so to the final, where Alberto slowly built a nine hoop lead only for David to come back in the last half hour to draw level and take the game into a Golden Hoop. A very exciting passage of play followed, with the crowd on the edge of their seats. Twice, David set himself a simple rush to his hoop only for Alberto to hit in from distance to save the day. Alberto also had a shot at a hoop but hit an upright. After the second long roquet, Alberto was able to rush a ball near to his hoop, take off and run the hoop to win the match and the competition. The Golden Hoop play had taken about 20 minutes, surely worthy of an entry in the Guinness Book of Croquet Records!
So, many congratulations to Alberto and commiserations to David, who came so close to retaining the trophy.
After the trophy presentation, everyone went home for a well deserved lie down!
Alan Ridley