Mary Rose win for Chester

After winning the final of the national Secretary’s Shield association croquet competition on Saturday, 29 April, Chester made an excellent start in another national competition beating Tyneside 6-1 at Pendle on Tuesday, 9 May, in the first round of the Mary Rose knock-out competition for advanced association croquet. Playing for Chester were David Boyd, Elmyr Hughes, Mark Lloyd and Brian Walton.

Despite heavy overnight rain which left the lawns a little heavy and slow the match started in pleasant weather conditions which continued to improve as the day progressed, finishing in bright sunshine. The score does not reflect how close the match was, despite having lost all the morning games Tyneside came out invigorated after lunch and pushed Chester hard with two games decided in the last few strokes. During the whole match there was only one game that finished before time.

Having won this hard-fought game Chester progress to the second round when their opponents will be Nottingham.

Thanks to Pendle for their hospitality.

From the left, Brian Walton, Elmyr Hughes, David Boyd and Mark Lloyd playing for Chester against Tyneside at Pendle in the Mary Rose competition

Individual scores were:

Morning session
Mark Lloyd (0.5) & Elmyr Hughes (1) beat Derek Watts (2) & David Millener (7) +4T
David Boyd (5) beat Derek Johnson (10) +12T
Brian Walton (6) beat Don Wright (8) +9T

Afternoon session
Mark Lloyd lost to Derek Watts -10T
Elmyr Hughes beat David Millener +1T
David Boyd beat Don Wright +1T
Brian Walton beat Derek Johnson +18