SHORT CROQUET 2012

This year the SWF Team Short Croquet event was extended to include a third division, playing at Nailsea on Saturday 14th April. The winners would be promoted to the main event next season. As the event was not full, Nailsea fielded a third team and there was a team representing the SWF committee, but in the end Exeter were run-away winners, and gained promotion.

The main event took place on 15th April at Nailsea. The holders, Nailsea Trendlewood, retained the trophy for the third successive year. Their team of Kathy Wallace, Jim Gregory, Brian Roynon and Brigit Clayton proved unbeatable, despite strong opposition from the other Nailsea team, Fowey and Cornwall. Kington Langley, promoted last year following an exciting shoot-out at the peg, found things hard in the top division and were relegated.

In the second division a team from Barnstaple had to withdraw at the last moment, and they were replaced by a team composed of the Nailsea reserves from their other three teams. This team, the Nailsea Glassmakers, composed of Jim Field, Geoff Hughes, Mike Tracy and Erica Malaiperuman, ran away with the title and were presented with the shield before the last round of games. This allowed Jim Field, who had had to do two peels in every game, to leave early on the eve of his departure for Australia to play in the World Championships. It had been decided before the tournament started, however, that the Nailsea 'replacement' team would not be eligible for promotion, and so the last round of matches still had all to play for, with Bath, Dyffryn and Swindon all being in with a chance of promotion. In the end Bath won all four of their last round games, to secure their place in the first division next season.

The sun shone, against all odds, although it was cold, but a good time was had by all. Nailsea, as usual, proved excellent hosts for this season opener.

Division 1 winners (Nailsea Trendlewood)

L to R :Brian Roynon, Kathy Wallace, Jim Gregory and Brigit Clayton

Division 2 winners (Nailsea Glassmakers)

L to R: Jim Field, Geoff Hughes, Erica Malaiperuman and Mike Tracy
 

John Grimshaw presents the trophy to Kathy Wallace

An overview of play

Well at least Tony Jennings' dog was watching avidly, though it was good to see someone reading SWAN!