Crake 3 Fylde 2

Liz travelled with the team, first walking in Ulverston before returning with our lunches and spectating from the car parked in the VIP area during the occasional showers.

Nathan showed some class grinding himself back into the game after Howard had dominated the first hour or so. Meanwhile Jim sailed round in the first quarter of an hour in the doubles. Phil was keeping ahead of Steve and so with time running out it was not impossible for a FCC win if Peter could get going but that did not happen.

After lunch Phil put us on the scoreboard ripping around with a contact leave and finish against Jim. Howard had changed into civies and sheathed his mallet as Peter approached Rover with everything right. Then Newtonian Laws suspended themslves for a moment causing Peter's strike ball to fly in the wrong direction. Howard started to play well and it was only forty minutes later that Peter won on time.

This game concluded at the same time Steve and Nathan were nip and tuck and with the match resting on the result Steve secured the win for the home side. Nathan played very well today, giving two low handicap and experienced players a run for their money.

It was a very enjoyable day for us.
We have to thank Crake for providing lovely lawns in bad weather circumstances leading up to today.
But most of all for their wonderful hospitality and sportsmanship that shone through as usual.

Posted by Peter, 30th August

Bury 1 FYLDE 4

Fylde: Peter Wilson 3, Liz Wilson 3.5, Nathan Baker 6.
Bury; Paul Kenworthy 0.5, Roger Schofield, 7, Richard Leech 8.

We arrived to find the lawns fast but lovingly watered over the last weeks. Peter gave contact and went on to beat Roger 26-10. Meanwhile the Bury dream team clicked once again in the doubles playing alternate shots and winning 26-7.

After lunch Nathan's experience and skill shone in the Sun 26-10 against Richard who is continuing to improve.

Roger was hitting in more often than not while Liz was trying to get breaks started. She had to dig deep and then eventually found the magic she has with a break near time 22-16.

Paul got to peg and four-back with a ten point lead but his first poor shot in the match allowed Peter to get to the peg with under half an hour left. Paul picked two hoops then Peter got going with his backward ball, running a break from hoop six and failing rover making the scores level with time called. Paul's turn left the scores level and Peter hit a nine yard peg shot to win +1 on time.

We recreated this wonderful image - see the handicap report 24th May for the original.

Posted by Peter, 2nd August

FYLDE 4 Pendle 1

Fylde: Matt Cook 0, Peter Wilson 3, Liz Wilson 3.5
Pendle David Magee 1, Paul Dowdall 5, Libby Dixon 12.

Liz and Peter played own ball against Paul and Libby alternate shot and scored 25 points by combining a couple of big breaks each. Matt and David both played good turns in a close game that went our way.

After lunch Matt turned on the style with his first competition Triple Peel against Paul.
Everyone joined in to congratulate him on this memorable achievement.
It also won the match for us.

David played beautifully 9-12-2-1 against Peter who had made seven hoops in the early turns, but then no more being unable to hit the lifts that were accurately left. Libby fought like a lioness against Liz who had made a wonderful break to four-back. Clawing hoops back as time became short but eventually Liz made a break and won that game.

Many thanks to Pendle for their travelling, their sportsmanship and a good fight.

Posted by Peter, 2nd July

Bowdon 4 FYLDE 1

Bowdon: Adrian Apps 4, Alan Dix 4, Paul Harris 4.5
Fylde: Peter Wilson 3, Phil Snowden 5, Nathan Baker 5.

Phil took the wheel, and with the Boss coming along for the ride we arrived to a warm welcome on lawns 1 & 2, complete with new sets of Invictus balls.

We are grateful to Bowdon, who gave us hard and uncompromising games, warm hospitality, and a wonderful day on their beautiful lawns, full of sportsmanship and craic.

Adrian and Paul, playing alternate‑shot doubles, fitted together as one and dominated the opening two hours against Peter and Nathan's own ball game. Then Paul called a fault on himself, and Nathan took his ball from 1 to peg with a fine contact leave that put real pressure on the home side and got Peter the innings, although Bowdon steadied themselves and closed it out on time.

Alan was in excellent form, beating Phil and Nathan in the singles. Peter narrowly beat Adrian +2 after dubiously initiating a one ball session.

Posted by Peter, 24th May