Chester Croquet Club fielded teams in three more NW Federation league matches over the weekend.
On Saturday, 7 May, Chester hosted a team from Crake Valley in the association croquet weekend handicap league. The team was Robin Tasker (captain), Sally Slater, Paul Watson and Richard Smith. Chester was 2-1 up at lunch but struggled in a couple of the games in the afternoon and the final score was a 4 – 3 win for Crake Valley.
On the following Sunday, 8 May, there were two golf handicap matches in the NW Federation league.
A Chester Tribunes team led by Jude Wise with Brian Lussey, Keith Dixon and David Johnson played at home against Llanfairfechan Dragons in the club’s second golf croquet handicap match of the season. All the Tribunes played much more confidently winning both doubles games and each team member achieved more wins than previously, resulting in a victorious win of 12 games against Llanfairfechan’s 5 wins with 1 draw.
On the same day, the Chester Senators team had a much more challenging time away at Southport and lost 13 – 5. The first challenge was to find the delightful club well concealed on Rotten Row opposite Beach Road. Senators were greeted warmly by veteran Terry Dunbar and his team who had had little match experience. However, Southport proved to be a well coached group with excellent position and clearing skills. The Chester team of Edward Baskerville (captain), Liz Baskerville, Sarah Clements and Arnie Banford had an average handicap of 8 against 10 for Southport but were unable to make any significant impact despite running 83 hoops against Southport’s 108.
Sarah Clements did well running out a 7-3 win against impressive newcomer to the game, Paul Greenwood, who had slaughtered Edward Baskerville 3-7! Arnie Banford, for the Senators, also achieved a 6-3 victory over Sue Wilkie. The Senators captain saved face winning three, including the last game of the afternoon against Terry Dunbar 7-5. Despite a number of games won on narrow margins, Southport ended the day well deserved winners with 13 games to 5.
It was a cool, overcast and windy morning as play opened on the extensive lawns at Rotten Row but after lunch blue skies emerged and the match finished in warm sunshine to accompany tea and biscuits.
