Even the weather gods entered into the convivial spirit of the Hi-Lo autumn series,. As the nation reeled under the impact of Storm Babet, Blewbury players sat out in balmy conditions over two intensely competitive days. First up, GC, with a dozen contenders in varying combinations playing five advantage handicap games a piece.
In the Hi division, three players – Sandy, Bruce and Jill – had four wins each, but Sandy’s superior hoop average won the day. Bravo Sandy – it was a real highlight to see your enduring application and dedication rewarded on merit. The Lo guys were equally locked in combat, with four wins for Brian, Dave Grinstead and David Vincent. To David Vincent, the prize bottle on hoop arbitration. Sincere thanks to the Jamiesons for an impeccably run event.
Deirdre and Sandy in the winners’ enclosure on the Blewbury Riviera, with Joe standing behind.
Over to David Long for the immensely more complex task of creating order out of 15 AC players with handicaps ranging from 24 to -1. For the seven Hi-bisquers, the dream was a nailed on game with Joe. As only four could enjoy that, he elected to play on his own with one dead ball and a load of peels. And to refuse the winner’s prize that was justly his.
David’s other conundrum was to create level playing fields so the Lo players didn’t use all available bisques to get their balls round, leaving the Hi tribe looking on in frustration, as happened last year. His solution, expressed in an algorithm of dazzling complexity, was to award points for games and hoops won to all, but double points to hoops won by Hi-bisquers. This format was tailor made for Carol Jamieson. Playing off 20, she bisque-blitzed her way round to the peg in all four of her games, winning three of them.,
Of course no one can force the Lo players to agree to this strategy . It follows that I’m particularly happy to report that two of those who nursed Hi partners throughout the day emerged at the top of the leaderboard. Deirdre and Steve earned equal points, with Deirdre taking the bottle by winning three games to Steve’s two. Thank you both for the very enjoyable games you played with me; I appreciate how frustrating they were for you! And thank you, David Long. You made madness work. We all applaud you.