Another Win For The Broadwas AC Team!

Stuart Smith’s run of eight hoops to triumph 9 -17 in his first singles day of the game helped put Broadwas in a commanding position a the end of Thursday morning.

Report by John Guy.

On 4^th July the Broadwas team, including ‘regulars’ Stuart Smith (handicap 4.5), David Kaner (16) and captain John Guy (5), were delighted to welcome back Janet Bedford (9) from her AC retirement.

Showing her usual wonderful team spirit, Janet was ‘helping us out’ as several other players were unavailable for selection.

Janet Bedford returned to the AC team on Thursday

We hosted Shrewsbury in the West Midlands Association Croquet League, and their team comprised Alan Ridley (2), David Hart (9), Tim Bunn (12) and Alberto Borras (18).

The weather was very chilly and the wind, although not quite hurricane Beryl force, made play (and even standing up) quite difficult.

John goes for the hoop with his blue, while Janet looks on

These conditions produced a very error-strewn doubles match between Janet and John and Alan and Alberto, with both sides making a lot of ‘unforced errors’ (to use Wimbledon terminology). Janet & John managed to commit fewer errors than their opponents, enabling them to triumph 14 – 7 and on time.

Meanwhile, David Kaner was taking on David Hart and was always keeping his nose in front, to win 20 – 13 again, on time.

David Kaner hoops during his match against David Hart

The final morning match saw Stuart have to give 7.5 bisques to Tim Bunn who used them to good effect to lead 17 – 11 when time was called. Stuart had one more turn and he managed to roquet from a distance and then, under extreme pressure, ran 8 hoops to triumph 19 -17. A brilliant comeback!

John lines up his next hoop, watched by Alan Ridley and Alberto Borras

So, at lunch, Broadwas were 3 – 0 up, and we all retired to the pavilion for refreshment and some respite from the wind.

Stuart looks on anxiously as he watches the route his ball takes

After lunch, the sun came out and the wind subsided a little for the four remaining singles. David Kaner (playing Alberto) and John (playing David Hart) both took early leads. John retained his lead throughout and pegged out to win 26 – 14 with 45 minutes still on the clock. David Kaner pegged out with his last turn to win 26 – 7 so Broadwas now had an unassailable lead.

David Kaner studies his ball after his shot

The other 2 matches were tighter for most of the afternoon but Tim used his extra bisques to good effect to beat Janet 22 -13. In the last hour or so Stuart got away from Alan to win 21 – 13.

Overall Broadwas won 6 – 1. David’s 2 wins meant his handicap reduced to 14 but I will personally most remember Stuart’s excellent 8 hoop break to clutch victory from the jaws of defeat.

And so, to Eardisley on July 17^th.

John Guy