Will Gee won the Student Championship

[<<] [>>] by Will Gee at Oxford University Croquet Club
26 Jun 2011 (AC - Championships)

Will Gee won the Student Championships at Oxford University, beating Harry Fisher

A small but strong field of eight contested this year's student championship, the handicaps ranging from -1 to an Oxford 9. The event was run as a straight knockout, each match consisting of a best of three level advanced games, with an optimistic time limit of two hours per game. The lawns were prohibitively slow in places, and the hoops had been set firmly with approximately a 1/16" clearance, which meant some of the games did end on time. The University Championships, run as a doubles competition, took place after the first round matches, although only Oxford and Imperial College had entered teams.

The initial rounds all went according to seeding in straight games, although Eugene found that John Gale's handicap of an Oxford nine did not stop him playing more like a four for much of the match. Harry then mysteriously disappeared for the afternoon, returning unsteady and in a particularly good mood. Eugene took advantage of this in the first game of the semi, beating Harry +25. On Sunday morning Harry found better form, winning the first game closely, and the second convincingly to secure a place in the final. Meanwhile, Will had stumbled to victory in the other semi final despite several peeling mishaps.

Harry took an early lead in the final, making a controlled break round to 4-back with a good leave. Will hit the long lift, and continued to 4-back. Harry missed the long lift- Will abandoned the triple after the second peel attempt, progressing to peg and finishing the next turn. The second game finished sixth turn- Harry hit the short lift fifth turn, but failed a difficult hoop one off Will's hoop one ball, giving Will the chance to finish.

The university competition was only contested by Imperial College (Eugene and Christian) and Oxford (Will and Luke). Luke had a nervy start to the first game, but eventually rediscovered his form to make a good break, allowing Oxford to clinch the first game. Luke's good form continued into the second game, where a good break to four back allowed Will to finish.

The plate was won by John Wells, who played solidly all weekend, beating John Gale in the final.

First Round-
Will Gee (-1) beat Luke Valori (9), +16, +23tp
Christian Carter (1.5) beat John Wells (4.5), +?, +?
Harry Fisher (3) beat Nigel Urban (3.5), +24, +22
Eugene Chang (1) beat John Gale (9), +?, +?

Semi final-
Will beat Christian, +18, +7
Harry beat Eugene, -25, +5, +26

Final-
Will beat Harry, +17, +26tp