Middlesbrough beat York 5-2
[<<] [>>] by Charles Waterfield
at Middlesbrough Croquet Club
29 May
2010 (AC - Secretary's Shield)
Middlesbrough
Roger Staples (6), John Norris (9), Dennis Scarr (10), Walter Sanders (18)
York
Andy Starkey (2.5), Mark Fitzsimons (5), Dave Hudson (11), Lance Andrews (16)
After the morning doubles & singles, Middlesbrough were 2-1 up. Mark Fitzsimons was in fine form for York, going round to rover on his second visit to the lawn. Dennis replied in similar form and with the help of a couple of bisques squared the points with a break of 11 hoops. Although Dennis had left a good leave, Mark replied with a 12-hoop break and only just failed to get his rover peel. After some tussle, Mark won through and gained both Bronze and Silver merit awards.
By mid-afternoon Walter had Lance hoping for a good hit in and Mark was hopeful of a second fine stint against John - neither result was to be. Mark missed a couple of short roquets and John punished him for his error. Walter set up some fine approach shots and ran some hoops from distance, overcoming Lance 26-10. Andy saw off Roger's vain attempt at a cross lawn hit-in, to start his second ball from hoop one and win 26-14. Dennis got his revenge in the afternoon by beating Dave 26-12. Nobody was disgraced as the teams were well matched and some fine croquet was played - in spite of the wet conditions.
Results (MCC Names First)
Roger Staples & Walter Sanders beat Andy Starkey & Lance Andrews +11
Dennis Scarr lost to Mark Fitzsimons -7
John Norris beat Dave Hudson +8
Roger Staples lost to Andy Starkey -12
John Norris beat Mark Fitzsimons +13
Dennis Scarr beat Dave Hudson +14
Walter Sanders beat Lance Andrews +16