Leonard Taylor won the GC C-Level Final

[<<] [>>] by Richard Keighley at Wrest Park
28th September (GC - Tournaments)

Warm sunshine greeted a full field of 16 players who came to contest the National Final at Wrest Park on 26/27 September. As required, 2 blocks of 8 players played each other on an all play all level play basis on tricky lawns recovering from the protracted heatwave of the summer.

In Block A, John Ingham (Northampton) won all his 7 games but was taken to the golden hoop by both Susan Bellew (Bristol) and Jackie Bryant (Thames Valley). Both ladies also qualified for the main Knockout with 4 and 5 wins respectively. The 4^th qualifier was Diana Rolfe (Sussex County) with 4 wins, narrowly pipping Lois Hall (Watford) on hoop count.

Block B was very closely contested with qualifiers only being evident after sunset. Simon Munton (Camerton & Peasdown) prevailed with 5 wins. Leonard Taylor (Hampstead Heath) and Nicola Mack (Barnet) gained places with 4 wins each, but Derek Code (South Ockendon) and Lynda Watsham (Colchester) were still tied on hoop count with 4 wins each leaving Derek's progress to be decided by his winning his game against an unlucky Lynda.

Sunday morning was cloudy and cooler with rain forecast for later in the day. In the main Knockout, the quarter finals were contested on a 13 point best of 3 games basis. John beat Derek in 2 straight games, and his success was emulated by Nicola against Jackie and Simon against Diana. Susan won her first game against Leonard but he came back strongly to progress by winning both the next 2 games.

A surprise was sprung in the semi final by Leonard beating an undefeated John in 2 games, whilst Nicola had to work hard to beat Simon over 3 games. The Final began with rain being imminent. It was of a high standard with both players clearing well and running hoops impressively. The first game turned on a successful jump shot on the 6^th hoop by Leonard, bur an undismayed Nicola fought back to achieve a good lead in the 2^nd game and win by 7-3.

Dusk was falling and light but persistent rain dogged both players and hardy spectators during the final game. Leonard moved to a 6-3 lead but Nicola pegged him back to 6-5 before the agreed time was called as darkness fell. Leonard was a worthy winner but Nicola too was a formidable opponent.

The Plate Knockout was won by David Frohnsdorff (Ryde) against Jonathan Flatt (Camerton & Peasdown). It only remained for Manager, Richard Keighley and players and spectators to retreat to the Pavilion for the trophy and prizes to be presented and for him to warmly thank Jason Carley for being a most active and helpful Referee and Club colleagues Tim and Gill Brewer, Sue Brown, George Collin and Peter Rothwell for their help before and during the tournament.