Scottish Croquet Association

Aberdeen Tournament 2019

7-8 September 2018, Albury and Northfield Centres

Hosted by Aberdeen and Crathes Croquet Club, 13 entered this year’s event with the regulars from the North of England and the Central Belt along with local players. Format 18 point handicap games with two hour time limits.

Blocks 1 and 2 were played at Albury with no clear winner in either. Qualifying on two wins each were George Plant and Steve Skelton (Block 1) and Hamish Duguid and Ian Hall (Block 2).  It was interesting that all the qualifiers had fewer gross hoops than the 3rd/4th players.  Block 3 was played at the new venue of Northfield Sports Centre, the lawns proving to be really flat and true. Both ACCC members Bill and Robert emerged as leaders on three wins and the final round between them would decide who played in the Final and Wine Final. As a result of his three wins Robert’s handicap was reduced from 18 to 16 - good news for Bill as he was now only conceding 6 bisques instead of 7½.

Sunday’s play was all based at Albury and started in glorious sunshine which continued all day. Despite Bill’s dislike of early morning croquet his form continued and he beat Robert 18-7 to qualify for the Final with Robert playing in the Wine Final for the second year running. George Plant and Hamish Duguid contested the Block1/2 final qualifying match with Hamish winning 10-7.

In the Wine Final George proved too strong for Robert and although conceding 8 bisques won 18-11.

The Final could never be described as a classic exhibition of croquet but it kept the spectators intrigued as what would happen next. Bill’s form deserted him and this was demonstrated by his inability to run hoop 6 on no less than four occasions. Needless to say Hamish emerged as the winner 11-8.

Thanks to Lizetta, David, and Meg for their help in keeping all the players refreshed and fed over the weekend - your efforts were the highlight of the tournament and once again the home bakes went down a treat; John Owen for supervising play at Albury;  Robert, Brian and Hamish for providing transport to both venues; Hamish (Balgreen CC) for the additional sets of croquet balls; Janice for her photographic skills and everyone who help set out and dismantle the lawns.

Bill Strachan

Results

Block 1

Block 2

Block 3

* reduced to 16 after Saturday's play

Block 1 & 2 Play-offs

Top 4

3/4 place: Ian Hall beat Steve Skelton 12-7

Bottom 4

7/8 place: John Henderson beat John Owen 18-1

Wine Final

George Plant beat Robert Bell 18-11

Final

Hamish Duguid beat Bill Strachan 11-8