[<<] [>>] by Richard Harris at Ryde Croquet Club
14 Jul 2008 (GC)

Ray Mounfield beat Bill Arliss 7-5, 5-7, 7-4 in the Ryde GC Open.

The final took the form of the best of three, thirteen point games and after a see-saw of a match, concluded at 7.35 pm. Ray won the first game 7-5 and was leading in the second, but with Bill not giving up and came back strongly, including a brilliant hoop 8 played through a bunch of close balls from level with hoop 7. The scores were even with a win for Bill also at 7-5. Both men were now very tired, but there was all to play for. Ray took an early lead, and at the turn was 4-2, then 5-2, Bill pulled one back for 5-3, then 6-3 to Ray, but Bill saved hoop 10 with black for 6-4. Ray then played a reasonable lay up at an angle to hoop 11, Bill placed blue at a better angle in front, red and black exchanged shots, but could not get near and yellow was played into the jaws. Bill's jump shot caught the hoop and skidded sideways, Ray blocked black with red and Bill gallantly conceded a superb match.

The Plate competition was won by the defending champion, Ryde player Dave Willett who beat Richard Brooks 7-3 in the final having overcome Freda Vitty and Pam Sim in the earlier rounds.

In the Main Draw, the probable favourite, Nelson Morrow, made short work of beating Graham Thompson 10-5, but had to wait for his semi final match, which turned out to be against Bill Arliss who beat Charlie Askew 10-7. Bill had shown some sparkling form through the tournament, with some characteristic hard hit clearances and hoop running. This and the delay meant that Nelson's shooting was a little off, and a hard fought match saw Bill prevail 10-8.

In the top half of the draw, there were two exciting quarter finals between local player, John Sim and Keith Webb, with the Ryde man being supported (in a fair manner) by local members and showing tremendous form prevailing 10-8. Meanwhile an Ashby player was assured a place in the semi final in a match between Ray Mounfield and Michael O'Brian, which went to the wire in a real nail biter, with Ray coming through 10-9. Ray then went on to play John and won a place in the final with a score of 10-4.

The play off for 3rd and 4th placing was taken by Nelson who beat John 7-6.

Results

Main Draw

Quarter Finals

Ray Mounfield beat Michael O'Brian 10-9
John Sim beat Keith Webb 10-8
Bill Arliss beat Charlie Askew 10-7
Nelson Morrow beat Graham Thompson 10-5

Semi Finals

Ray Mounfield beat John Sim 10-4
Bill Arliss beat Nelson Morrow 10-8

Final

Ray Mounfield beat Bill Arliss 7-5, 5-7, 7-4

Play Off 3rd/4th

Nelson Morrow beat John Sim 7-6

Plate

Pam Sim beat Robin Thornton 7-3
Dave Willett beat Freda Vitty 7-4
Richard Brooks beat Richard Harris 7-5
Maggie Webb beat Chris Mounfield 7-5
Dave Willett beat Pam Sim 7-4
Richard Brooks beat Maggie Webb 7-5
Dave Willett beat Richard Brooks 7-3