[<<] [>>] by Ian Plummer
10-17 Feb 2004 (International)

The Second English Week Tournament in Palm Beach got off to a warm start with temperatures in the mid 80s(~27C). As last year the twelve lawns are in superb condition: carpet-flat, evenly paced and weed-free, absolute luxury. The tournament started off with 37 people in the handicap singles, played as a flexible Swiss spanning handicaps from -1 to 24.

To promote faster games we used the 'Yorkshire Variable Base System' which meant generally that both sides got bisques; for example if an 8 played and 8 then both sides would get four bisques (see the Management section of www.oxfordcroquet.com for details). Although we are enjoying summer temperatures we have winter daylight hours and consequently game times were set to 2.5 hours. Few games went to time and there was no pegging down at 6pm when dusk fell.

Over two days most players got in 6 games, with the winner Mike Jenner (-0.5) from Chicago winning the event with 6/7 wins.

The second event was mixed handicap doubles, in this case mixed nationalities: US and UK players were paired and played a four round 14-point Swiss. For many of the American players this was their first introduction to Association Croquet and the opportunity to 'Bond with a Brit', advertised in the American generated literature, was too much to resist. Gisa Wagner (US) (20) and Samir Patel (-1) won the competition, with Tina Therkauf (US) (9) and Trevor Longman (12) as runners up.

Day 2 of the Class singles is underway. But for me now, its time to sit on the veranda with a glass of chilled Chardonnay and bask in the heat! Wonder if it is snowing in the UK?

Results to End of Day 3

End of Day 2 results shown, comment to end of day 3 added by Samir Patel

Handicap Singles

Won by Mike Jenner (-0.5)
Stewart Jackson (0), Peter Quinn (2.5) and Tony Backhouse (8) tied on percentage of wins in second place. Stewart Jackson awarded runner-up prize based on Buchholtz quality-of-wins system.

Handicap Doubles

Won by Gisa Wagner (20) and Samir Patel (-1), who broke with tradition (+1t, +1t, +1t) to beat Tina Therkauf (9) and Trevor Longman (12) +2t in the final.

A Class

5: Brian Smith (E), Mike Jenner (US) and Stewart Jackson (US)
4: Samir Patel (E)
3: Louis Nel (CA), Ian Plummer (E)
2: Peter Just (US)
1: Nelson Morrow (NZ)

With 11 rounds played (and 3 rounds remaining), four players are still in contention: Samir Patel, Stewart Jackson and Mike Jenner are tied on 8 wins; Brian Smith has 7.

Louis Nel, Peter Just, Ian Plummer and Nelson Morrow are now fighting out for the minor places.

B-Class

5: Richard Danby (E)
4: Peter Quinn (E), Jim Potter (E)
3: Keith Jones (US)
2: David Mumford (E), John Hobbs (E), Josie Jackson (US), Chris Osmond (E)
0: Tony Fathers (E)

Having got away with the block criteria of "top four plus ties" in the C-Class, the five to proceed to the knockout are Jim Potter, Richard Danby, Peter Quinn, David Mumford and Keith Jones.

C-Class

5: Ken Shipley (CA), Jonathan Toye (E)
4: David Clarke (E)
3: Tony Backhouse (E), Rupert Webb (E)
2: Anne Stephens (E), Peter Siddall (E), Liz Webb (E)
1: Jeanne Ackermann (E)

The top four in the block were Ken Shipley, Jonathan Toye, David Clarke, Rupert Webb. These proceed to a knockout tomorrow.

Ken Shipley has completed his first TP.

D Class

4: Trevor Longman (E)
3: Rosemary Danby (E), Mary Smith (E)
1: Barbara Clarke (E), Rosemary Bradshaw (E)
0: Alma Longman (E)

Won by Mary Smith (Sidmouth) beating Trevor Longman (Walmer) +3 in the final.