Report by Lionel Stock
The tournament was held at York on Wednesday 19th June 2024.
“What will you do if it keeps on raining?“I’ll still be there,” I mumbled, not quite sure what I would do.
After weeks of biting cold and drenching rain, it was a fair question a few days before the tournament. But the sun had decided to shake of its winter slumber, and we had a bright, fresh and, most importantly, dry day for the Tournament. Eight pairs from six clubs (Ripon Spa, York CC and York U3A, Brodsworth Hall, Bishop Monkton and Auckland) gathered at York. Competitors were assured that the electric fencing around Lawn One was not to prevent them from leaving before the tournament was complete, but only to deter the foxes, which had wreaked havoc the previous season.
Play was in a single block, all-play-all. Fitting in seven games, four in the morning and three in the afternoon, required tight time-scheduling. Games were limited to an initial period of 40 minutes, when a rasping air-horn marked time, players then had a further two turns each before the end of game, win, lose or draw. Double banking for all games increased the time pressure, but players responded well by starting games promptly and playing with due despatch. About half of the games concluded with the winners achieving seven hoops within time. At lunch, three partnerships (Sue I’Anson & Marcia Henderson, Robert Strover & Robb Wainwright and Robert Mumford & Kerry Macreavy) shared the lead with three wins each. The result was not decided until the final round, when the game between Robert & Robb and Sue & Marcia determined first and second place, with Robert and Robb proving worthy winners, with six wins out of seven. The least said the better about the performance of yours truly, in my first GC tournament, despite the heroic efforts of my partner Aileen Hingston. Oh well, there’s always next year.
Many thanks to Michael Franklin for acting as Referee, and to all those who helped set up the lawns and refreshments, and tidied away at the end, and to York CC for their hospitality.
Lionel Stock
Tournament Manager
