Eileen is right on time to win Jubilee crown
was levelled in their handicaps, which ranged from 2.5 to 20.
Eleven players came to challenge from as far afield as Glasgow.
Last year’s winner, Richard Forman along with a group of ladies from Huddersfield, returned in the hope of repeating his victory, and six members of Southport club pitted their skill on the lawns.
The final between Rena Souten from Huddersfield and Eileen Rossiter from Southport, was a very close game full of tight encounters and high drama, to be decided only in the last turn.
Level in their score when time was called, the whole title match rested on a single golden hoop.
And it was Eileen who won by one on time.
North West Croquet Handicap League
SOUTHPORT Croquet Handicap teams seemed lulled into serenity by the wonderful weekend weather.
The Birkdale side were heavily defeated in South Cumbria by Crake Valley, whilst the Southport outfit were surprisingly well beaten in Victoria Park by Bury Peelers.
Crake Valley 6 Birkdale 1
CRAKE VALLEY play in the beautiful Lake District surroundings at Greenodd in the Furness area of the area, the views totally captivating as the Birkdale team struggled all day in the fine summer sunshine.
Captain Keith Roberts gambled his team selection by mixing experience, himself and Tony Thomas, with the youth of inexperience by including two players making their debut – Gail Moors and Shelda Roberts.
Only Tony Thomas managed to carve out a victory in the morning’s play, sending the teams into lunch with Birkdale trailing 2-1.
But despite spirited and promising performances from the debutants in the afternoon, the team were no match for the skills of the Lakelanders and returned home with a 6-1 defeat.
Southport 1 Bury Peelers 6
IN Victoria Park, the very experienced Southport team featuring John Haslam, Alan Pidcock, Brian Lewis and Carol Lewis were no match for an exuberant outfit from Bury.
Only John Haslam secured a victory in the morning play.
The excellent quality of the Victoria Park lawns seemed to favour the Bury players who took full advantage of the ‘extra turns’ granted by their high handicaps, causing the Southport team an uphill battle all day.