Report by manager Ted Flexman
Congratulations to the Yorkshire Croquet Federation for continuing the spirit of the Challenge which involves two teams of eight players playing AC Doubles, GC Doubles and One Ball all in a day. Debbie James managed to muster 16 croquet lovers from across the county (with at least half from York!!) to assemble on a better than expected day of weather at the Scarcroft lawns to settle matters between The Fat Rascals and the Curd Tarts. Clubs represented were York, Beverley, Bishop Monkton, Driffield and Ripon. Six players were new to this format and it was very good to have them in the group.
The first round produced three victories of +1, +2, and +3 for the Curd Tarts with just the one triumph of +15 to the Fat Rascals.
The second round saw honours even with 4 points per team.
The last round was decisive with the Curd Tarts running out 6 – 2 winners in the one ball.
This meant a clear win for the Curd Tarts 16 – 8.
Special mention and credit must go to Richard Lamborn and Jack Upsall who were both undefeated through the day.
Lionel Stock graciously accepted the Glass Cup from the Tournament Manager Ted Flexman on behalf of the Curd Tarts.
Thanks due to Debbie James for all her work, many of the York members for helping set up and clear the lawns and to the lawn management team who had produced three excellent surfaces on which to play this fine tournament.
We hope that Croquet North will accept our challenge next year but I feel that this Intra Fed Challenge is here to stay – it is good to see players enjoying both codes of croquet and we appeal to more mainly GC players to come and give it a go next year. It could be that we will get sponsorship to match the team names!
