Mike Porter was undefeated in the B-Level Advanced

[<<] [>>] by Peter Wilson at Pendle & Craven
16-17 May 2009 (AC)

Mike Porter remained undefeated to win the "B" Level Advanced Tournament at Pendle & Craven. Eighteen players contested the B-level tournament, homing in from the North and the South.

Heavy rain preceded the start of the tournament preventing a final mowing and conditions were heavy for the first game but improved throughout the tournament as spells of sunshine warmed them. Special mention must go to Roger Schofield for his efforts in preparing the five lawns needed with freshly set hoops. He would later go on to run 2back from about 10 feet East of the peg. A beautiful shot that took some wire.

Managed by Liz Wilson, the tournament was run Flexible Swiss style with players playing as much or as little as they wished and the winner determined on the percentage of games won.

Lee Hartley was able to defend his trophy despite a recent handicap reduction to scratch by virtue of the entry conditions. Mike Porter took the lead in the second round by beating Lee. This prompted Lee to set off like a Hare to play as many games as he could in an effort to reduce the percentage loss and he eventually reached 6/7 (85.7%) which would have been enough to win the tournament had Mike Porter not won his last game giving him 5/5 (100%) in an Aesop's Fable sort of way.

Despite having to don the wetsuits and then strip off to shirt sleeves every half an hour everybody did report they were enjoying the tournament, the venue, the bar and the hospitality of the catering teams who provided elevenses, lunch and tea on both days.

There were three handicap reductions: Mike Porter to 1, Andrew Webb to 4.5 and Mark Godfrey to 5.

CA Gold Merit Award to Lee Hartley on Sunday for beating third place finisher Alan Mayne with his first Triple Peel.

We enjoyed the company of one long distance visitor who didn't play: A racing pigeon determined to rest in the pavilion and was strangely attracted to Pink...