Four 3-person teams entered the 26pt AC League competition: Ashby, Pinchbeck, Nottingham A and Nottingham B (substitutes for a 'Covid 19 lockdown' Leicester), hosted by the Nottingham club on Sunday 2nd August. With Covid 19 restrictions, the teams were mindful of self-distancing during the day and all equipment being washed down before and after play. Of the 2.5 hour timed handicap games, played to base 8, surprisingly, seven games were completed within the time limit.
At lunch both Nottm A & B had 2-1 winning results over Ashby & Pinchbeck respectively. The afternoon play saw both Nottm A & B extend their winning ways, once again with 2-1 results. The late afternoon saw a grand finale between the Nottingham teams.
Roger Watson (h/c 8 Nottm A) quickly dispatched Bob Thompson (h/c 2 Nottm B) +26 with bisques standing. Mark Lansdale (h/c 11 Nottm A) was leading Andrew Beaumont (h/ 8 Nottm B) with time looming when Andrew (for the second time of the day), hit in from distance and made a very decisive break to peg, leaving Mark in overtime to hit in and needing several peels to have a chance. Andrew won +8t. An excited endgame then ensued between Philip Morgan (h/c 18 Nottm A), playing his first competitive game for the club and the very competitive Debbie Watson (h/c 14 Nottm B), Debbie winning +5t. Both Debbie and Philip mentioned that they had learnt so much about the game. Both Roger Watson (h/c 8 Nottm A) and Andrew Beaumont (h/c 8 Nottm B) were undefeated on the day with 3 wins.
Congratulations to Nottingham B in winning the event, we look forward to 2021 when hopefully we shall see Leicester once again competing.
Many thanks for the sterling work that members of the Nottingham club have undertaken in the past months in ensuring that croquet has been able to continue in these trying times.
Bob Thompson
FEMCC AC League Manager