Heart of Yorkshire Tournament

[<<] [>>] by Lionel Stock at York
15th June (AC - Handicap)

Eight competitors. Two fast lawns in great condition. Playing "off-base" so enough bisques to get going. Three, two-hour 18-point games each day. Usable weather. All the ingredients for an enjoyable and competitive weekend's play.

And so it proved. Play was generally brisk, with competitors considerate of the requirements of double-banking. At the end of the first day, five players had each won two or three of their games. A night's sleep failed to separate the pack, and by the end of the penultimate round three players shared the honours with four wins out of five. As luck would have it, of those three, the two players with the highest positive points difference (Helen Griffiths and Alison Larard) faced each other in the final round - a true final.

A compelling match ensued. But while that was taking place on Lawn 2, on Lawn 1 Denise Foster was calmy and confidently using bisques to complete her break of 12 hoops, and earning her Bronze Merit Award. Many congratulations to her. Back on Lawn 2, Alison pegged out to clinch victory in the game and match. A hard fought and well deserved result.

As ever, many thanks to all those who contributed to an excellent weekend's play, amongst them the grounds team, those who set-up and put away, and not least Malcolm Tingle, a competitor, whose home-made cakes would have been reason enough on their own to take part.