[<<] [>>] by Dave Kibble at Southwick
15th April 2002 (AC)

Chris Clarke won the Southwick Open Weekend despite not having entered: Chris' entry had gone astray so he was squeezed into the draw to give an extra round, but still managed to get his half of the draw ahead of expectation by teatime. However this spoiled the rather perfect 9 lawns and 36 entries, but there was still very little waiting between games. This was a strong weekend, with 12 of the 27 entries having a -1.5 or better handicap.

Chris beat Patrick Hort in the final after a surprise Hort beat Fulford semi in which it was clear Patrick was very determined to make no mistakes. Patrick hit Robert's first ball and left one on the East boundary and one in corner 2. Robert decided to join with the corner 2 ball, which Patrick hit and went round from. Robert's lift shot went off well short of corner 4 giving Patrick a standard triple opportunity, which he took. In the other half Chris Clarke beat Robin Brown in a game where unexpected playing errors handed over the initiative between the players several times. Chris pulled himself together and completed a customary solid triple. The players had elected to have a single game semi-final and the best-of-three final was over soon after lunch on Sunday, disappointing the spectators who arrived at teatime hoping to catch some quality croquet; instead they were treated to the final rounds of the Swiss, eventually won by Phil Cordingley.

Robert won the play-off against Robin Brown in style with a well-controlled sextuple and a routine 26tp.

Two relative newcomers, Roger Beyderwellen and Michael Wilson, acquitted themselves very well: Roger had complained to the manager that he kept having to play minus player, but this didn't stop him winning the majority, completing 9 games in the weekend and with two triples under his belt. Both players triggered handicap changes, Roger to a well-deserved scratch and Michael to a rather high 8. In part of the Swiss play-off, Roger had a very well controller 3rd turn ball round, but Mark Avery hit in and completed a TPO. Roger's lack of experience showed, which allowed Mark to pick up a break on the next turn and finish.

The lawns were in excellent condition and playing at a reasonably quick pace when the sun was upon them.

Main Event

Round 1

Robert Fulford beat Rodney Parkins +19
Jeremy Dyer beat Philip Eardley +18tp
Robert Alexander beat Pauline Davey
Jack Davies beat Sam Symonds +18
Robin Brown beat Jolyon Creasey +21

Round 2

Robert Fulford beat Jeremy Dyer +14tp
Michael Wilson beat Paul Miles +6
David Openshaw beat Nick Harris +6
Phil Cordingley beat Christine Constable +19
Dave Kibble beat John Davey +12
Martin Leach beat David Parkins +7
Dave Mundy beat Rutger Beyderwellen +3
Patrick Hort beat Brian Wainman +22tp
Mark Avery beat Paul Castell +18tp
Jonathan Lamb beat Dave Foulser +8
David Harrison-Wood beat Dick Knapp +24
Chris Clarke beat Robert Alexander +23tp
Tim Wilkins beat Mary Knapp +26
Lionel Tibble beat Louise Bradforth +15
Tom Weston beat Bill Arliss +5(t)
Robin Brown beat Jack Davies +23tp

Round 3

Robert Fulford beat Michael Wilson +26tp
Phil Cordingley beat David Openshaw +26tp
Dave Kibble beat Martin Leach +5
Patrick Hort beat Dave Mundy +6
Mark Avery beat Jonathan Lamb +25
Chris Clarke beat David Harrison-Wood +26
Lionel Tibble beat Tim Wilkins +5
Robin Brown beat Tom Weston +26tp

Quarter-Final

Robert Fulford beat Phil Cordingley +26tp
Patrick Hort beat Dave Kibble +26
Chris Clarke beat Mark Avery +26
Robin Brown beat Lionel Tibble +8

Semi-Final

Patrick Hort beat Robert Fulford +26tp
Chris Clarke beat Robin Brown +13tp

Final

Chris Clarke beat Patrick Hort +10tpo +26tp

Play-Off for 3rd Place

Robert Fulford beat Robin Brown +26sxp +26tp