On 10th August the Broadwas team of John Guy, Roger Wood, Janet Bedford and Gill Brooks welcomed Eardisley to the Broadwas club to play the final match in the West Midlands Association Croquet League. These two teams were both undefeated in the league to date, so the winners would be crowned league champions for 2021.
The day did not start well for Broadwas. Some strong play from two of the Eardisley team (Jen Johnston and Di Weaver) together with good use of bisques meant that Roger was defeated 9 – 12 and Janet went down 11 – 19. In the doubles John and Gill managed to overcome the Eardisley pairing of Tony Johnston and Brian Shorney 16 – 12.
So Broadwas behind by 2 games to 1 lunch. A stronger afternoons session was definitely needed.
In the afternoon John kept Tony out of the game and ‘pegged out’ for a 26 – 2 win in just over 2 hours, bringing the scores level at 2 games each.
At this point the game between Janet and Di was very close at 10 – 10 but some forceful play from Janet saw her storm ahead in the next 45 minutes to take the game 26 – 11 so for the first time in the day Broadwas were in front by 3 games to 2.
Now all down to Roger and Gill. Roger was well behind in his match with Brian but Gill was 6 hoops up on Jen. Gill scored another point and with her final turn Jen could only score one to leave Gill the victor by 16 – 10 and take the game, the match and the league title.
Meanwhile Roger was making a fantastic recovery with some big breaks to edge past Brian 16 – 14 in the final few minutes.
So a storming comeback by Broadwas to win all 4 afternoon games, to run out victors by 5 games to 2 and to take the West Midlands Association League title for the second time.
Congratulations to the whole team including Stuart Smith and Ian Dampney who played in earlier fixtures.
We are the champions!!!!!
John Guy 11/8/21