John Hutchinson wins the Hussars Cup

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John Hutchinson receives the Hussars Cup from Tim Russell

John Hutchinson Hussars winner

Roehampton's tournament calendar has always traditionally ended with an AC handicap weekend contesting the Hussars Cup. For the first time in recent memory, it failed to attract a full field, but 12 players enjoyed a fine weekend of weather, beautiful lawns and tight hoops which were clanged with regularity.

John Hutchinson from Ealing was the managers pre-tournament pick and he finished on 5 wins out of 5 to win the trophy deservedly and see his handicap drop from 14 to 12. In his last game against the manager, it looked as if he would have 8.5 bisques for his second ball but a careless mistake in the middle of the lawn missing oppo and leaving his ball by hoop 1, saw him have to take two bisques to remedy the situation. 6.5 bisques wasn't enough to finish the job with the second ball, breaking down at 2 back with 1.5 bisques left. Tim went round to rover with yellow, John made 2 back with the help of his last bisque and with one last turn with time called (and with John forgetting to use his half bisque) Tim had a finishing turn all laid out but failed in an attempt to run hoop 4 to the boundary.

Stephen Wingrave was the runner up on four wins. He played solidly throughout and saw his handicap cut to 4.

The trophy presentation happened with one last game to finish. After the presentation, the participants all went to watch Ed Dymock's retirement turn. Ed has been a doughty competitor over his 40+ years of playing croquet but age and troublesome eyes are catching up with him. Neither age nor eyes have stopped him riding his bicycle to tournaments though! We wish him well.