Christopher Cockroft won the G&G Intermediate/High Bisquer's Tournament

[<<] [>>] by Mike Huxley at Guildford and Godalming Croquet Club
14 Sep 2009 (AC - Handicap)

Christopher Cockroft won the Intermediate/High Bisquer's Tournament at Guildford and Godalming Tournament

A modest field of eight assembled for Guildford and Godalming's late summer Intermediate/High Bisquers' Handicap Tournament for the Chapman Challenge Cup. Entrants came from as far apart as Southport and Birkdale, in one direction, and East Dorset in the other.

Handicaps ranged from 8 to 20. The tournament was arranged as a Swiss, with the top 2 players contesting a final play-off in the event of a tie on number of wins. In glorious weather, the first day's play featured some very tight games, wih six of the twelve games played on the day finishing +3 or closer (three of them +1). On the second day (a little cooler but, mercifully, dry), overnight leader Christopher Cockcroft (20, East Dorset) continued his successful progress and after four rounds stood on four wins out of four.

In the fifth round, though, a determined Michael Holland (8, Woking) overcame Christopher's early lead and, in what was probably tthe game of the tournament, staged a fine come-back, ultimately winning +7.

At the end of the Swiss, the leaderboard was:

Christopher Cockcroft (East Dorset ) 4/5
Michael Holland (Woking) 4/5
Maggie Holand (Woking) 3/5
Mike Thompson (Guildford and Godalming) 3/5

In the final play-off, the bisque mountain ultimately proved too much to overcome for Michael and Christopher ran out a comfortable winner. Congatulations to Christopher on his first tournament win and commiserations to Michael. I think a good time was had by all - certainly the manager enjoyed it!