Report by Debbie James
Members of YCF clubs -York, Beverley & East Riding, Huddersfield and Ripon Spa – gathered on the York lawns for the annual heat of the Charity 1-ball. Six rounds were played in distinctly chilly conditions. The morning play was further enlivened by a live broadcast interview on Radio York. Well done to David Young from York for holding his game together as he had both a microphone to navigate and a mallet to control in the course of his round 3 game! The clothes were a colourful red for this year’s charity, the British Heart Foundation. Best costume of the day was that of Simon Young from York, a Christmas pudding woolly jumper that kept the cold at bay. Cake was consumed, chat was enjoyed and competition was focused. The clear winner was Cathie Dance of York, with 6 wins from 6, closely trailed by Callum Johnson, also of York, with 5 wins from 6. The £200 raised entitled the YCF to send three players to a regional final.
Cathie, as winner of the heat, went on to represent the YCF at the regional final in Nottingham. She was accompanied by other YCF players: Dean Morton, winner of the Sheffield heat; Chris Atkinson, an eligible 2022 YCF heat finalist who missed his chance to compete that year due to catching Covid; Philip Jay of Huddersfield and Malcolm Tingle of York, next best-placed players from this year’s heat as Callum was unavailable to compete. Commiserations to Simon who missed out on the trip to Nottingham by one point!
The weather was glorious for the day of the Final at Nottingham where the finely manicured lawns stretched to infinity. From a field of 18 both Cathie and Chris reached the quarter finals, while Philip went one stage further to the semis, narrowly defeated by the high bisque eventual winner, Philip Bell from Bristol. Dean enjoyed his second time at the northern final, and Malcolm made his debut and got to grips with the lawns to score 3 wins from 6.
Well done to our finalists on representing the YCF so creditably, and thanks to all who competed in the heats this year.
