Author: pauldowdall

Paul Dowdall and Andrew Gould teamed up for the AC Alternate Stroke Doubles at Crake after Libby Dixon lost her fight with the lawnmower and she and Leigh withdrew.

The competition started with two groups of four teams, one group of higher handicaps(including Paul & Andrew) with the top two playing in the final. Each team would score a point for each hoop run plus four points if they won. The games were 18 point and timed at 100 minutes with a full stop finish. All teams got at least some bisques.

Unfortunately the Pendle team didn’t get off to a good start losing their first game 7-11. In the second game they faired better, although still not finding their form, managing to scrape a 10-9 win. This meant in the final game of their group they needed to win by at least six hoops to secure top spot by one point. Fortunately, the pair’s form improved, managing to get six hoops ahead with less than a minute to play putting them into the final.

This meant Paul and Andrew met the Harding brothers, winners of the other group and winners in 2024, in the final in which they came out victors pegging out with a score of 18-15.

Today only saw 6 members and 1 guest turn up today. The lawns were immaculate after the grounds teams efforts yesterday. Great job Paul and Mike. The lawns were still running true and quick despite some rain early this morning.

Andrew received six hoop top protectors (1 blue, 1 red and 4 clear) from Brookwood Croquet Club as a test run. They’re looking good and more will be ordered for the remaining lawns. They will be used on all our tournament hoops once they return from sandblasting and spray painted.

The photos show how easy they are to slip onto the hoop tops and placing on clips.

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Today was AC Social Day both Full lawn and Short Lawns in play with 8 members in attendance. Lawns running well for the time of year and the Golf players were still able to play, so come on down for whichever format you want to play.

Good lunch enjoyed in the sunshine.

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Our Winter Jobs are coming on well. Thanks to Shirley we now have new flags for 2025.

The bisques have been washed and repaired.

Club Mallets have all been refurbished, linseed and varnished thanks to Sharon and Susan.

Robert has identified the West drainage system and now plans are in place to hire a digger to put in new drainage in front of the container.

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What a difference a day makes

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The internal AC Alternate Stroke Doubles took place on a chilly and dull afternoon between the teams of Robert Essler(0.5)/Cathy O’Brien(24) and Paul Dowdall(7)/Mark Kerr(12) giving Robert/Cathy 6 bisques and Paul/Mark 3.5 bisques.

Paul and Mark got off to a good start getting their first ball to rover with only one bisque early on. The game then turned into a bit of a dogfight with neither side being able to a good break going with the game going to time.

Result

Paul/Mark beat Robert/Cathy 22:15 on time

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The last of our Wellbeing sessions saw a sunny atmosphere that was matched nicely by the weather as this pioneering pilot scheme finally came to a close. Deemed “a resounding success” the participants have thoroughly enjoyed their weekly visits to the lawns, as have the Social Prescribers who we were proud to partner with. ‘We’ve never seen results like it’, commented NHS project lead James Smith, ‘the clients are all saying how much they have enjoyed themselves. It’s like everyone has fallen in love with croquet!’

With many thanks to Ian Longstaff for making it a success

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The third-best eight available players playing in the Spencer Ell Cup

Excellent croquet, good clean fresh air and lots of sunshine for the second day of the Spencer Ell Cup. Pendle and Craven Croquet Club are hosting the 5 day tournament in the idyllic surrounds enjoyed by the club.

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On a cool start to the day we welcomed the Southport team of Gail Moors(3.5), Barbara Nodwell(9) and Mike Hill(10)

Pendle team: Paul Dowdall(1P), Catherine Parnell(2) and Robin Delves(9)

Pendle & Craven could not find four players, so Southport agreed to a three player team

Six games were played in the morning. Robin won one game and lost one with both going to a golden hoop. Catherine also lost one and won one with Paul winning both his games leaving us 4-2 up at lunch.

After lunch we each played one game but the heavens opened for about 30 minutes which brought up up a load of worms from the recent lawn applications leading some players to have to stop to clear a worm off the ball rather than the, more usual, clumps of mud.

Robin won his game but Catherine lost her game. Paul managed to win his game against Gail in a very close finish. Time had gone and Gail had levelled the hoop score on her final turn as time was called. With both players having a clip on peg a brief battle to gain the upper hand with the non-pegged balls. Finally, Paul managed to hit in and run hoop three to win the game.

Scores

Morning:

Robin beat Barbara 13:12, Catherine lost to Gail 6:14 and Paul beat Mike 8:5

Catherine beat Mike 11:8, Paul beat Barbara 14:6 and Robin lost to Gail 9:10

Afternoon

Paul beat Gail 9:8, Catherine lost to Barbara 1:14 and Robin beat Mike 10:8

Result Pendle & Craven 6 Southport 3

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The lengths we go to here at Pendle and Craven as the lawns are scrubbed clean. Well, actually, the wobbly white lines were being removed 😃😃

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