[<<] [>>] by David Openshaw
11th July 2005 (AC)

The Roehampton Invitational had its usual strong field. This year it was played over just one day on Saturday prior to the start of the Opens.

Two events were played. Both consisted of four players playing a best of three semi final (or first round if you prefer) and a final. One of these events I called the Roehampton Seniors Invitational even though the other three participants did not believe it was a very good description of the event.

Fulford played brilliant croquet hit everything and won comfortably. The final against David Maugham was notable because both players went to four back on the second turn. In the first game David Maugham went round on the second turn and left the balls in corners two and four. Robert hit the corner four ball on the third turn. Rolled up to hoop one but didn't get good position. So shot at and hit the ball in corner two and rolled them up the boundary. David missed on the fourth turn. Robert won with a sextuple in turns five and seven.

In the second game Robert went round on the second turn leaving the balls in the 19 yard position on each side boundary. David missed and Robert finished with a fourth turn triple.

In the Seniors Keith Aiton beat Mark Avery in the final.

Results

Seniors Invitational

Avery beat Openshaw +26tp +24tp
Aiton beat Mulliner +11 +5tp

Final: Aiton beat Avery +16tp +26tp
3/4 Place: Mulliner beat Haggerston +22sxp +24

Invitational

Fulford beat Bamford +26tp +18sxp
Maugham beat Death +23 -26tp +26tp

Final: Fulford beat Maugham +16sxp +26tp
3/4 Place: Bamford beat Death -20 +25sxp +2sxp