One up, one down and a draw – a mixed week for Chester Croquet Club but one critical win confirmed Chester as this year’s winner of the North West Federation weekend association croquet handicap league.
On Saturday, 7 September, Chester played at home against Bowdon Bears in the North West Federation short lawn league with the result an 8 – 8 draw.
Two more teams were in action on Sunday, 8 September. The Chester team of Chris Thomas (captain), Ian and Cynthia Graham, and Pat Wheeler played away against Southport in the North West Federation golf handicap league. Accompanied by overhead aerobatics from the Southport air show, each won one game but conceded a 14 – 4 win to their opponents. On the same day, Chester played at home in their eighth and final match of this year’s North West Federation weekend association croquet handicap league against a visiting team from Fylde. Playing for Chester, David Boyd (captain), James Thomas, Brian Walton and Sarah Andrew made full use of their home advantage and established a 3 – 0 lead during the morning session. They followed this with two early wins in the afternoon to clinch a match victory, the final score being a satisfying 6 – 1 win for Chester. This result means that Chester has won seven out of their eight matches confirming the team as league champions for the second year running. This is the second league success for Chester having also come first in the North West Federation level play golf croquet league in the previous week, again for the second year running.