Nottingham and Surbiton played the delayed 2021 Mary Rose final at Wrest Park on Friday 27th May 2022. On a beautiful day, the match was played on perfectly prepared lawns running up to 13 plummers.
Morning games (Nottingham names first):
- Ian Draper (1) & Alex McIntyre (1.5) beat Andy Dibben (0.5) & Mary Knapp (1.5) +15
- Mike Hedge (1.5) lost to Graham Brightwell (2) -3
- Martin Beacon (2) lost to Nick Furse -9
As the morning singles had taken some time, the afternoon games were timed to 3hrs, finishing at 7.
- Ian beat Andy +1 on time after a crucial hit in.
- Alex beat Mary +12, despite accidentally pegging his own ball out!
- Martin lost to Graham -23.
- Mike beat Nick on the Golden Hoop, despite nearly playing the wrong ball at the death!
Nottingham clinched it 4:3 in a very tight match.
Many thanks to Wrest Park for hosting.
Alex McIntyre retained the Sage Bowl at the Nottingham B Level Weekend, and in keeping with tradition, donned the SAGE crown woven with herbs and flowers.
He beat Alan Clark in a somewhat one-sided final on Sunday afternoon.
The semis were much more fiercely contested between North London friends Gary Bennett and Alan and the local lads Alex and Mike Hedge. Both pretty much finished just in time or on time. It was therefore decided that the final would be a single game only.
With a handicap range from 0 – 7 the weekend threw up quite a few surprise results, none more so than Alan Clark's who beat players with much better handicaps to reach the final. Other notable performers were Anthony Hardwick (Blewbury) and Peter Hanley (Nottingham). Luckily for the other 21 players all three received deserved handicap reductions by the end of Sunday's play.
Nottingham provided almost half of the 24 capacity entrants, 6 of their 9 superb lawns, well set but fair hoops, 2 generous clubhouses and a picturesque setting. The new West lawns were particularly impressive with many players opting, where possible, to play on them. A far cry from previous years where players were reluctantly told 'you're next game is on the other side'.
All players appeared to leave happy, well fed and better for the experience.
Many thanks to Richard White, Michelle and family for again hosting this wonderful event and provising spledndid catering, hospitality and company. It was a delight to see Richard back in action.
Richard's final comment: "Personally, having had a 2 year absence from Association Croquet is good to see it thriving, or at least it is at Nottingham."
Indeed it is, and this event makes a big contribution.
