Griffins 5 Fylde 2

Griffins: John Saxby (c), Philip Hunter, Sue Cooper & Carol Steinberg
Fylde: Martin Bradshaw (c), Betty Bates, Leo Ainsworth & Ken Harper

John Saxby (14) & Carol Steinberg (18) beat Betty Bates (16) & Len Ainsworth (20) +7
Phil Hunter (9) beat Ken Harper (16) +12
Sue Cooper (14) lost to Martin Bradshaw (8) -3T
Phil beat Martin +12
John lost to Ken -2T
Sue beat Betty +1T
Carol beat Len +3T

The trouble with driving for an hour is that on occasion the mind can wander. Is croquet a sport or is it a pastime? Simon Barnes in The Times has for some time considered that any game where the player can wear a cardigan and smoke at one and the same time cannot possibly be considered a sport! He was referring to golf, and whilst his antipathy towards the game has mellowed of late, croquet I feel would also come into his target range. I have an element of agreement with this approach, but I would always maintain that the complexities of croquet lift the game well above this other 'swingers' game (this speaking as a late golfer of 40 years - mind you match play golf does take a bit of beating).
So, unusual Bowden lawns slightly soggy to begin with after two days of heavy rain, but firming up after lunch once the showers ceased. And what a lunch, hot garlic potatoes, excellent relishes and dressings, and a hot blackcurrant tart and cream to die for. Oh, there was some croquet played amidst the morning rain. In the doubles Leonard stormed round to rover with minimal bisques, but the home combo of John and Carol kept Betty at bay and they prevailed +7. Philip was in top form all day and Ken found him too consistent losing -12. Sue was quite a handful for Martin but he squeezed through +3.
Philip recorded a second +12 win and was excellent in his defeat of Martin who blew hot and cold. The most intriguing game was John v Ken in which, with the game at its mid-point, John pegged out Ken despite having his second ball at two. Ken's remaining ball was on penult, and a whole hour of cat and mouse ensued with, to his great credit, Ken prevailing +2. So, 3 - 2 to the BGs and the remaining two games finely poised. Betty was most unlucky to lose -1 on time after Sue made up considerable ground, and Leonard found Carol very steady, succumbing -3. A close match, and thankfully not too wet a day.

Posted by Mart, 20th July 2010

Southport 3 Fylde 4

Southport: Tony Thomas (c), Margaret Dalley, David Key, John Mawdsley
Fylde: Martin Bradshaw (c), Ian Theakstone, Ken Harper, Alan Morton

A glorious day awaited us at Victoria Park, three-quarters of the team having got to know the backwaters of Longton and Bretherton on the way thanks to a police road-block. Dew on the ground soon disappeared, and from midday onwards the lawns became progressively slicker. Ken found Margaret's steadiness a little too much in the morning, but Ian was not to be disturbed by David's somewhat volatile approach and held on to win. The Martin/ Alan doubles combo started well but Tony and John played a canny game and the visitors succumbed. 2 - 1 down at lunch. The Carte d'Or ice cream was clearly an inspiration to Fylde in the afternoon singles. Thanks to Tony having a multitude of close misses when hitting in, Martin found himself with a lot of lawn time and secured a win. The ice cream didn't affect Alan the same way and he found John rather a handful. Meanwhile, Ian and Ken were slogging it out with Margaret and David, and despite the lead changing hands a number of times in both games both ran out narrow winners. A 4 - 3 victory and a pleasant amble home discussing the merits or otherwise of a River Ribble Barrage/Roadway.

Martin & Alan lost to Tony & John -7
Ken beat Margaret +4
Ian lost to David +2
Martin beat Tony +4
Ian beat Margaret +1
Ken beat David +3
Alan lost to John +6

Posted by Mart, 16th June 2010

Fylde 2 Pendle 5

Fylde: Martin (8) , Liz (2 ½) Alan (20 and Leonard (18)
Pendle: Ron Welsh, Andrew Webb, Robin Delves, Dicky Delves

The day was played in glorious sunshine with both the lean to gazebo and the new summer house in full use. The morning doubles saw a victory for the Delves twins over Liz and Leo (who was playing with a still damaged right hand rendering him unable to strike the ball firmly). Martin lost to Andrew and Alan lost to Ron. In the afternoon Alan was beaten by the relentless 2 balling game of Dickie Delves and the injured Leonard lost to Robin. Martin and Liz were the only winners beating Ron and Andrew respectively. Liz’s game being a very close timed game.

Posted by Liz, 2nd June 2010

Fylde 5 Westmorland 2

Fylde: Martin Bradshaw (c) , Peter Hallet, Ian Theakstone, Alan Morton
Westmorland: John Shakespeare, Stephen Holmes, John Burrows, Ivan Wheatley

Fylde’s winning streak continues! The morning’s doubles saw a win for Martin and Ian over the two Johns +12. Peter Hallet lost to Ivan Wheatley and Alan beat Stephen Holmes in the only morning game to reach a peg out. After lunch it looked like Ian was going to make short work of Ivan as he tore round with his first ball using only one bisque. He later got bogged down as he struggled to finish and only came out the winner by +4. Martin just beat John Shakespeare in a very slow game 13 -11. Peter Hallet lost to Stephen Holmes and Alan managed a win on time against John Burrows +11. Final score Fylde 5 – Westmorland 2. With only 4 peg outs!

Posted by Martin, 19th May

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