Tobi Savage Wins the AC Selector's Weekend - GC Reigns in Ramsgate

[<<] [>>] by Stephen Allen at Ramsgate
11th September (AC - Championships)

The AC form book was turned on its head this past weekend, as indeed was the AC coaching manual, as Tobi Savage and Stuart M Smith blew away the field on their way to the final of the Selector's! A terrific display of hoop-running and straight-hitting to overcome a high-quality entry.

As the competition completed the first round of the knock-out stage, Stephen Allen lead with 6 wins out of 6 by the end of day two. Other notable contenders were Rich Waterman (coming back to form from injury) finishing with 5 wins of 6 in the Swiss, and Mike Porter rallying in day two.

However, the conclusion to the knockout was a testimony to the quality hitting and hoop-running of the elite GC players which had been a feature throughout. Tobi adopted the novel and impressive habit of running hoop 1 with both balls at the start of each game and frequently running hoop 2 in the same turn from peg high. Earlier, a double-banked game witnessed Tobi running Rover from the North boundary while Alex McIntyre joined in by simultaneously running hoop 6 from the South boundary.

In the final, Tobi was victorious over Stuart, watched closely by Rich who reported on Tobi's final turn which involved precision take-offs from 4-back onwards. At Penult, the intention was to crash through Penult back down to his opponent's red ball south of rover, but catching some wire on the hoop run, the ball headed close to hoop 4 near south boundary. There followed a superb centre ball strike rushing red way back up to yellow on west boundary; although the rush back on yellow was not ideal, accurate positioning and a hoop run at Rover under pressure was followed by a perfect take-off to land behind partner near 4-back resulting in the peg-out.

Although no triples were made during the tournament, attempts were made by several players, with Mike and Rich achieving 'New Zealand' triples, peeling partner ball in separate turns. And Mike went on to complete his weekend with victory over Stephen in the 3rd place play-off. Bowden club mates, Charles Harding and Brian Medley, made the Cheshire to Ramsgate trip worthwhile by making it through to the knockout stage.

Blessed with glorious weather, and playing on Ramsgate's fast and challenging lawns, Alex managed the event with his characteristic calm and good humour! There was universal appreciation for the warm welcome from the local Ramsgate team of Trevor Longman and Charlie Martin and in their preparation of the lawns, made especially difficult since the line-marking machine had broken down meaning lines had to be painted by hand! A final thanks to the catering & baking team of Chris Orpwood, Jacqui Young and Marie Perkins who treated us to delicious lunches and teas.

Whilst there's no doubting the importance of GC skills in the AC game, it was impressive to see their benefit so manifestly displayed at this level. A handicapper somewhere will be reviewing Tobi's 2.5, and intriguing to reflect on the fact that no-one had picked Tobi in the AC Eights Fantasy League!

https://croquetscores.com/2025/ac/croquet-england-eights/competition/selectors-weekend-swiss

By Stephen Allen