Report by Bob Thompson

After several years of being left on the back burner, the federation 14pt AC League was back in action at Ashby on one of the hottest days of the year.

Four 3-person teams entered the 14pt AC League competition, Ashby, Pinchbeck, Nottingham A and Nottingham B hosted by the Ashby club on Saturday 8th 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. The format was for three 1.5 hour timed single handicap games, played to base 4.

The morning play saw Nottm A win 2-1 over Ashby, Pinchbeck won 3-0 against Nottm B.

The early afternoon saw Ashby 2-1 winners beating Nottm B and Pinchbeck produced another maximum 3-0 win against Nottm A.

The late afternoon saw Pinchbeck securing a 2-1 win over Ashby 2-1 and Nottm B a 2-1 win over fellow club members Nottm A.

All teams finished with a match win, more than 70% of the matches were won/loss by 5 hoops or less.

With an impressive 3 out of 3 match victories, Pinchbeck won the 2020 FEMCC AC 14pt League competition. Patricia Duke-Cox, Federation Chair, thanked everyone for taking part, the Ashby club for hosting and presented the salver.

Many thanks to the Ashby club for hosting the event in these trying times, hopefully we shall be back to normality next year.

It was pleasing to note that there was a 50/50 split of ladies and gents, it being the first games played in a federation event for some whilst the seasoned player would have to check their handicap cards to recollect the number of events attended.

During the blistering heat of the day players made use of the shade aside the hedgeline wherever possible, one player settled himself in corner two of lawn three with water bottle, binoculars and paperwork, he was hoping to extend his bird spotting experiences, but he was required to break cover now and then to run the occasional hoop. One player intended to go home and cool down in the pool. For another player who couldn't get enough croquet, had arranged to play GC with fellow club member Mike O'Brian who came along to watch the play and renew acquaintances.

Bob Thompson
FEMCC AC League Manager

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