[<<] [>>] by Martin Stephenson at East Dorset (Parkstone)
11th September 2011 (AC - Championships)

Nelson's had a spot of bother with his spreadsheet so I'm giving him a hand.

Jerry's car broke down on the way here, so there is a round 1 game unplayed. He went on to win his first game after pegging out Castell though.

D H-W playing the best croquet so far, though that's not saying a lot.

Conditions are very much as they have been most places most of this Summer. [That is: weather not warm, occasional light rain, with a cold blustery wind that gets up when you have a crucial shot and dies away when oppo has one. Lawns in good condition, all they really need is a dry spell to quicken them up, but they haven't had one. Hoops not difficult, because there's no firmness in the lawn.]

Jerry is as usual determined to have his money's worth spinning his loss to Nick out to nearly three and three quarter hours....but he was still ready for the next round before DH-W arrived back from lunch.

General quality of play seems a bit higher on day 2. The treasurer's tp record must be under threat.

The delayed round 1 game has started...and was pegged down with Smith on peg & 4-b v Jerry on 5 & rover.

DH-W completes the first round sweep with another delayed triple.

Round 8: DH-W fails sextuple. Nick beats Mundy. Nelson wanted 4 rounds today but the third round of the day begins at 4.25.

Paul C beats DH-W to keep things interesting-ish. DH-W hit Paul's peg and 4-b leave, but was subsequently distracted by some noisy and disruptive children, presumably here for tennis related reasons, by the side of the lawn.

The pegged down game has been completed.

Saturday: A downpour passes through in the morning. Mundy comes to grief when he jawses a straight 4-b peel, but goes on to win anyway.

Round 11: DH-W accidentally pegs one ball out with partner on penult, but hits next turn and finishes.

Round 12: I have a higher than usual quality game with Jerry, but somehow it still comes down to peg and rover v peg and rover.

Round penult has started (but will not finish tonight) Mundy needs to beat DH-W to stop him winning, and does, Nick needs to beat me to keep his hopes alive. He is 1 & 4-b v my 1 & 4.

Sunday: It's a windy day. I'm rubbish in the wind. Nick beats me. As the last round begins, Nick needs to beat DH-W to force a play off. Mundy will be in it too if he beats me.

Last round. DH-W hits tice has dream leave, goes round turn 5, has spread. Nick hits long lift. Sticks on wire of 1 off partner. DH-W x-wires, Nick hits tea-lady (back ball of a single ball target) makes two hoops goes off lawn trying to get rush to 3. DH-W has standard triple for tankard but ends up rover and 1-b. Nick goes to (3 &) 4-b with spread. DH-W hits, goes to peg but doesn't get peel. Nick misses DH-W finishes

DAVID HARRISON-WOOD WINS THE TREASURER'S TANKARD. Congrats to him.

I beat Mundy despite wind, so seond place is tied.

There have been one or two mutterings that DH-W is too good for the tankard. There have been absolutely no mutterings that I am too good for the tankard.

Thanks are due to the East Dorset LT&CC and especially David Nicholson for all his hopp setting and refereeing and being so helpful generally, and the guys in the clubhouse cafe for providing such excellent food, value and service. Also to Nelson for managing at such short notice, and to me for writing this. Goodbye from Parkstone. (In fact I'm already on the train home)

Positions after 14 Rounds

Results to date: