Despite an overnight drenching, our lawns passed an early morning pitch inspection for today’s annual AC Hi-Lo Doubles. After a couple of late withdrawals, the field was reduced to 10; half with handicaps of 20+, and half with handicaps ranging from -1 to +10. That split was pretty much ideal for an event as much about providing an enjoyable coaching experience as it was about the competition.
The two AC novices, David Weston and Hugh Coghill-Smith, were paired with Joe King and Peter Allan respectively. Sandy Millikin was paired with Andy Evason, Claire King with Deirdre Cochrane, and Minty Clinch with Brian Jamieson.
The format was 5 rounds of 14-point, alternate stroke AC, played to an hour’s time-limit, with handicaps set to a base of 2.5 so that every pair got 5-6 bisques per game.
After the first 3 rounds, played in a mix of dry spells and showers, Deirdre & Claire were undefeated. And, after calling time in the 4th round – just as Peter & Hugh were walking off court at the end of a break – Deirdre & Claire were able to gain a 9-7 lead against them too. But they mistakenly thought that the end of the match, and left their balls invitingly close together: Peter was able to hit-in, and he and Hugh were able to win the match 10-9.
Although Deirdre & Claire were still the only team on 3 wins, they had now completed all their 4 matches: Peter & Hugh (who had only lost against Joe & David) would now win the tournament if they could win their last-round match against Andy & Sandy.
But alas! That 4th round had been played through heavy rain and – although the skies were now brightening – there was standing water on the courts and the last round had to be abandoned. Rather than using the incomplete blocks method to compute the winners, it was agreed to share the title, with prizes awarded to both the teams concerned, in keeping with the friendly spirit of the day. Every pair had won at least one game, and everyone left with smiling faces; however bedraggled they had become.