Ryde Annual Tournament Results

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Peter Moore from Budleigh Salterton CC in the foreground walking back to his seat in pensive mood. (Photo: Harry Oldham)

The two Isle of Wight Croquet Association open tournaments this year were eventful but successful, and enjoyed by all participants. The late withdrawal of tournament manager Cliff Jones due to ill health meant that Philip Kennerley was asked to stand in, and he did a very competent job.

Twelve competitors took part in the Mary Robinson Challenge Shield handicap event which was run as a Swiss tournament. It was won by Geoff Johnson from Watford (handicap 4), with Peter Thompson (3) from Hull runner up. Play was suspended on Thursday afternoon to mark Richard Harris' funeral - Richard had won the tournament a number of times and would have loved to have been involved in this one in a different way. Unlike previous years, the tournament was held over three days instead of two with two 3.25 hour matches per day instead of three, and this proved to be far less tiring and therefore more enjoyable for the players.

The IW Championship Bowl was a level play two-day tournament using advanced rules. The handicap range was 0 to 5 and seven competitors took part. Philip Kennerley again took over the role of tournament manager. Saturday turned out to be even wetter than Thursday and play was abandoned part way through the afternoon when the lawns flooded. Players managed 4 or 5 games with a 2hr limit on the second day, and the eventual winner was Peter Moore (0) from Exmouth. Local player Jonathan Smith (4.5) played very well and came second, reducing his handicap in the process, although he was visibly tired out by the end of his fourth match on the last day.

The image shows play in the IW Championship Bowl, with the eventual winner Peter Moore from Budleigh Salterton CC in the foreground walking back to his seat in pensive mood, and Peter Thompson from Hull pondering his next shot.