ACCC

Wilkinson Sword 2019 – ACCC loose deciding match by 1 hoop

This year’s Tournament held at Kinghtswood attracted 6 clubs, Aberdeen & Crathes (John Owen and Bill Strachan 10.5), Aberdeen Saints (Charles Henderson and Quentin Stephens 38), Balgreen (Alistair Malcolm and Kevin Russell 17), Edinburgh (Alan Hawke and David Fell 14), Glasgow (Brian Durward and Peter Martin 28) and Meadows (George Plant and Bruce Bennent 24.5). Format Full Lawn : 14pt : 1hr 30mins : Bisques, handicap difference divided by 4.
Play commenced under overcast skies but warm conditions, things deteriorated early afternoon with heavy intermittent rain but finishing the day in glorious sunshine.
In his briefing Brian offered teams the option of standard doubles or alternate stroke doubles provided both teams agreed, only a few accepted to play ASD.
Our first two matches were played as ASD against Glasgow (4.5 bisques) which we won 14-7 and Balgreen (1.5 bisques) winning 14-6. The next match against Edinburgh (1 bisque) returned to standard doubles, a slight adjustment to play but we won again 14-4. Next match was against Saints, standard doubles, conceding 7 bisques, no pressure !!, their use of bisques was really puzzling and they had used 5 before running their first hoop. Their negative tactics made progress slow but John sealed our win by taking a break to peg, 9-4, we remained unbeaten. Our last match was against Meadows (3.5 bisques) the only other unbeaten team, so the winner would take home The Wilkinson Sword Trophy. Having won all their matches playing standard doubles it was not surprising that the “final” would be the same. It proved to be a rather negative tactical affair, they kept us well separated and it was 25 minutes before the first hoop was run. Fortunately John hit in and took his ball to peg. George then took a break to peg and with a slender lead, 2 bisques remaining and time running out they decided to play “Aunt Emma” with George in charge and using their remaining bisques ran out winners by one hoop 7-8.
Thanks to Brian for managing the Tournament and Glasgow CC for providing refreshment throughout the day.

ACCC Alternate Stroke Doubles 2019

Four couples played in this year’s ASD event held at Albury on Sunday 21st July, Bill and David C (2), Robert and Elaine (4), Dan and John (5) and David G and Gordon (6). Format All play All both Morning and Afternoon sessions : Half Lawns : 14pt : 1hr duration (strict guillotine) : bisques allocated per match.

Play started in warm sunny weather and continued for the morning. After some close matches including one tied match, two couples lead each with 2 wins, David G/Gordon and Bill/David C. Afternoon play commenced after a short lunch break with the weather still pleasantly warm. The Tournament Manager announced minor changes to the bisque allocation. David G/Gordon reduced to 5 and Dan/John increased to 6, perhaps Robert and Elaine’s bisques should of been reduced as they produced the only peg-out game with 2 bisques still standing in their first afternoon match. The reduction made little difference to David G/Gordon as they continued their winning ways with 2 wins and a tied match from the afternoon session and were clear winners with 4 wins and 1 tied match.

Johm Owen wins Balgreen Summer Weekend 2019

Having won this tournament in 2017, John decided to enter this year but did not look forward to a weekend pulling bisques out of the ground. The format was Egyptian System Handicap difference : 26pt : 3hrs. There were 12 entries with handicaps ranging from 2.5 to 24.
The weather was dry and warm: unfortunately, Balgreen has problems with patchy dry areas, so the lawns were not in great condition and we were given dispensation to use “preferred lies”.
Saturday morning saw John start with a match against Jola Jurasinska (14) who used her bisques to run 15 hoops. John then failed with a rover peel but used a jump shot to run rover then rush peeled his partner ball, pegged out one ball and won 26-15. Next was Kevin Russell (12) who combined some spectacular rolls with missing easy raquets allowing John to win 26-19. Brian Cosfford (16) using his bisques to great affect had both ball on rover before John took croquet. John then got round and cross wired Brian on hoop 1 who then missed his hit in and John then went round to win 26-22.
Sunday morning’s match was against Jamieson Walker (14) who was hitting in form everywhere but failing to run hoops. He finally got a ball on peg but John then followed and pegged Jamieson’s ball out. Jamieson made 2 more hoops before failing penult allowing John to win 26-23. Next match was against John’s nearest rival for the Tournament win, John Campbell (9). In turn 4 John C ran 9 hoops on a 3 ball break without using any bisques. John O replied with a break but was hampered after 1 back and that was as far as he got with John C winning 26-7 with 1.5 bisques left (handicap reduction on the horizon). With time for another round the Managers could not find suitable opponents for the two Johns, so they decided they play each other again with the winner taking the title. John C using his bisques had balls on rover and 3-back with John O still to start. John C took position for 3-back but mistakenly thought he had a bisque left, this allowed John O in, taking his break to peg and cross-wiring John C at hoop 1. John C then took off to John O’s balls near hoop 2 went off by about 1cm, letting John O in and going round to peg to win 26-20 and the title again.
Thanks to Balgreen for hosting the event and Hamish Duguid and Roger Binks as Tournament Managers

Meadows AC Open Tournament

The following report is from Bill Strachan. The Tournament format, Advanced Play, no bisques, 26pt, 2hr 45mins duration.

Played at the Meadows Club on beautifully green lawns if slightly on the heavy side.
My usual poor early morning play saw Brian Durward (4) take a break to 4 back and me hitting in but struggling to do anything else. Eventually my game improved but in a close finish Brian winning 21-16. Next opponent was a jubilant George Plant (7), having just beaten Alan Wilson he continued his good form and won 26-16. My final match was against Joe Lennon (10) where my play improved and I won 23-12.
Sunday morning match against Roger Binks (10), a slightly better performance but still ended up losing 16-23. My final match was against Gail Curry (0) returning to croquet after several years absence. It was nice to see her gradual improvement over the weekend which made my match against her really interesting. Her break maintenance was extremely good but her inconsistent roqueting meant she rarely had a break opportunity. I eventually won 17-12.
Full results will be published on the SCA website.

I was double banked with the Chris Martin/ George Plant (undeafeted) match on Sunday afternoon and witnessed the most incredible time turn by Chris. George had run rover and with his partner ball on rover and with time running out finished his turn but his leave was less than challenging. Why he did not peg out his peg ball amazed everyone. Chris was on 4 back and I think hoop 5, his task was simple take his back ball to peg, peel his partner ball through 2 hoops and peg out his peg ball. I suggested to Gail we pause our game to allow Chris minimum disturbance with his turn. Chris achieved his aim and his leave left George a hit in of at least 18M which he missed. Chris’s turn deserved to win any Tournament, as he eventually did..

SCA Handicap Doubles

John (2.5) and Bill (8) faced Alan Wilson (2) and Kathy Brown (16) conceding 4 bisques in the SCA handicap doubles at Balgreen. The lawn was quite fast but the numerous bare patches may long roquets a bit of a lottery.

John hit in on turn 4, but didn’t make much progress. Bill then made one hoop while Kathy was making steady progress with their bisques. Eventually, Alan decided that it was time for him to get going (with over 2 hours gone), but he only got as far as 2-back. Meanwhile, Bill with a good break got to 4-back. Kathy did likewise, but missed when shooting at white on the north boundary, and they had no bisques left. That gave John a chance to go on a 3-ball break (Alan’s brown was tucked away in corner 4), and he managed to get going from hoop 5. He wasn’t able to rush brown close enough to 3-back and his approach left a very difficult hoop. As time was running out, John declined to try the hoop and joined up with pink, with us 1 point ahead. Alan had to hit in, otherwise we would have won +1 on time, but he did hit in and was able to make 2-back and 3-back, but was hampered after 3-back so shot into corner 1 with them 1 point ahead. We then had a final turn, and one of us had to hit in. After a short discussion it was agreed that Bill should attempt the hit in and he was successful. His take-off was short of the rush line to 4-back and then he over hit his hoop approach and failed an angled hoop attempt (if only!), losing +1 on time.

The Golden Games

Once again ACCC hosted a Croquet experience as one of the many events offered under the banner of The Golden Games. Based at Albury Sports Centre, a set-up of 3 short croquet lawns allowed 24 people to participate. They were split into 2 groups with each session lasting 1 hour. After some basic coaching, it was followed by a game of Golf Croquet which appeared to be enjoyed by everyone. Thanks to John Owen, Eddie Marshall and David Garwood for helping out with the sessions. Hopefully some of the players enjoyed their experience to the extent of joining the club.

Aberdeen Ladies Curling Club – Summer Outing

The Club was approached by Lindsey McNiven, retiring President of Aberdeen Ladies Curling Club with a request to organise a Croquet Event for their Summer Outing. We were delighted to arrange the outing and on Tuesday 4th June, Lindsey and 19 of her fellow curlers arrived at Crathes. After a short introduction, 10 pairs were created by a draw of cards, play then commenced, Golf Croquet matches 25 minutes long, double banked on the 2 small lawns. Each group was supervised by a club member who manage to resolve any “traffic” jams by redirecting their match to an alternative route. With all teams having played 4 matches the overall winners were declared and received their prize from Lindsey. Thanks to Nick, John Webber and Robert for their help navigating the teams round the lawns and to Lindsey and her fellow curlers for their extremely generous donation to Club funds.

Middle Bisquers Tournament

For the past two years John Owen has been runner-up in this tournament but is no longer eligible as his handicap has reduced to 2.5. The Tournament format is open to players with 3 to 10 handicap, Advanced Play, no bisques, 26pt, 3hr duration. I entered hoping to match or even better John’s efforts.
The Tournament was played over the weekend of the 8-9th June on Kinghtswood’s ever improving lawns. With 3 late withdrawals only 6 players contested this year’s event so it was decided that all play all ie 5 matches over the two days. Play commenced in overcast but warm conditions and my start was less that convincing losing to Brian Durward in a forgettable match (26-20). Things could only get better and I won my next two matches against Callum Worsley (26-14) and Kevin Wright (19-4). Sunday saw my winning ways continue with a win against Rosemary Sanders-Robertson (26-7.) At this level you cannot be generous with the opportunities you give your opponent and this proved the case against George Plant losing (15-26) and matching John’s record disappeared.
Meanwhile Brian Durward played consistently well and remained undefeated over both days. I had to leave early so did not see how Brian as Tournament Manager and Referee presented the Trophy to himself! Thanks to Brian and Glasgow CC for managing and providing refreshments throughout the weekend.

At the start of the Tournament Brian produced a carrier bag containing a large selection of jumpers and pullovers collected by the late James Thompson and instructed everyone to help themselves, so several of us now have something to remind us of James.

Spring Golf Croquet Festival – The Sandy Rennie GC Trophy

Play started under damp overcast conditions but things gradually improved with the final rounds played in glorious sunshine. 10 members contested The Sandy Rennie Trophy.
Format 13pt (30 minute time limit), redraw for partners each round, 4 rounds morning and afternoon.
After the morning session the Garwoods topped the leader board with Lizetta in first place 2 hoops ahead of David. Several players were within 3 hoops of the leaders. The afternoon session saw David fall out of contention but John Webber closed the gap to Lizetta to 2 hoops with one round to play. The final round produced the deciding match with John and Judy Lyle against Brian Butler and Lizetta with the latter producing a faultless game running out 7-1 winners. Congratulations to Lizetta a worthy winner, thanks to her constantly good play.

Social Evening at the Cults Hotel

First social event of the season, consisting of a finger buffet and Beetle Drive, held at the Cults Hotel. Starting off with an excellent buffet, the evening then continued with the Beetle Drive, thanks to Sheena and Brian for providing all the materials needed and an explanation of how to play. After 6 rounds of frantic die shaking and drawing the eventual winner with 74 points (out of a possible 84) was Edna, with Gwen picking up the wooden spoon. This year we had a special prize for the most artistic drawn beetles, which was won by Gordon with Gwen a close second but Gordon clinched the prize by naming all his 6 beetles. A raffle raised £70 with thanks to Zosia for encouraging everyone to buy tickets and thanks to everyone who donated prizes. Format of the next social evening to be announced soon.

John Owen runner-up in Balgreen One Ball

I travelled to Balgreen for the Spring One-Ball Handicap tournament which was won last year by Bill Strachan, who was unable to defend his trophy. It was dry in Aberdeen, but dreich in Edinburgh, gradually becoming drier during the day. I started against the improving Stefan Colling who had never played one-ball before, but beat me 13-9. I then had three wins and a loss, before taking on James Hopgood, whose handicap for this tournament had been adjusted to -6. I managed to use my bisques well to get a lead, and after going through penult I roqueted his ball then saw that I still had one bisque left in the ground. I rolled both balls to rover and took position in front of the hoop, then told James that I would take my last bisque. He said that I had already taken it (at 3-back) but he hadn’t taken the bisque out of the ground. I had forgotten having taken it, and after much discussion, we agreed that I had been “playing when misled” when I rolled the balls to rover, so I replayed the break from that point without the comfort of an extra bisque. I still managed to win 13-4 and had another 13-4 win against Chris Martin. I then came up against Peter Martin whose handicap was 24 and had never played one-ball before. By the time he played me, he certainly knew what he was doing as he had won all his games, so I knew it would be a difficult game. However, after a slow start, I managed a 7-hoop two-ball break and closed out a 13-7 win with two of his bisques still standing. It wasn’t enough to stop Peter being a worthy winner of the tournament. After a final game 13-10 loss to Roger Binks, my record of 6 wins from 9 put me second equal.