On Friday, 1 May, Chester Croquet Club played Nottingham at home in the first round of the national Murphy Shield inter-club competition. This level play golf croquet competition has special restrictions on players’ handicaps. A total of at least 8 ensures a good mix of players and abilities.
Chester’s team of Rick Davies (captain), Sam Seal, Edward Baskerville and Sarah Clements welcomed Nottingham’s friendly team of Tom, Cathy, Roger and croquet ‘royalty’, Patricia.
The format of the Murphy Shield is that there are a best of three doubles matches and simultaneously, a series of best of three singles matches involving all players.
Nottingham’s doubles pairing of Tom and Roger took the first game. Chester’s pairing of Rick and Sarah came back strongly and secured a 2 – 1 win thus receiving one point overall. Meanwhile Edward and Sam both secured wins in the singles matches.
In order to win, a team must score at least four overall wins, so with Chester in the lead 3 – 0 at lunch time there was still time for Nottingham to secure the win.
The afternoon games were singles only and Chester secured the overall win thanks to Edward and Rick picking up a point each. This was despite Cathy’s efforts picking up a Nottingham point from a 2 – 0 win.
Tom and Sarah had very close games with a win each and twice a 7 – 6 score line with the ‘golden hoop’ being played. As the result didn’t matter it was agreed that the final game should be forfeited enabling Nottingham to travel home a tad earlier.
The final score was a 5 – 1 win for Chester who now go on to face Leicester in the next round.
Thank you to Nottingham for a fun, relaxed day of croquet and to Doreen Curtis who provided both teams with refreshments, sandwiches and cake.
