The first of the SCF’s GC 10+ level play series took place at Blewbury last weekend. Eight players converged on Tickers Folly Field from fairly distant Winchester and High Wycombe for the all play all block rounds. Tessa Ford from Eynsham and Julia Green from Phyllis Court were unbeaten at lunchtime, with Blewburians Edmund and Minty qualifying for the afternoon play offs as the next best.
Edmund, the lone male, raced into an early lead against Tessa, then hung in as she rallied, while Minty set up a home final by shading Julia. In a one-sided show down, Edmund repeated his front running strategy, roaring seamlessly to 4-0, before Minty took the first of her two hoops. To the much better performer, the spoils: a certificate (see picture) and a springboard for SCF’s four sister tournaments. Eynsham: Sunday, June 15; High Wycombe: Saturday, July 19; East Dorset, Sunday, July 27; Winchester Sunday, August 10. Block entries (£10 each): southern-croquet.org.uk/scf-gc10. Staying power, Edmund? Enough to follow Bruce as series champion? My money’s on it.
As always, our sincere thanks to Carol and Brian for the early rising and hard work required to run an impeccable tournament.