Match Report
Tue May 3 2011 - SWF Intermediate League (played at Cornwall CC)
Cornwall v Budleigh Salterton
Tuesday May 3rd saw Cornwall Croquet Club entertain Budleigh Salterton in the first of this season’s intermediate league matches. After the glorious weather of April, May 3rd was an unpleasant contrast, with a very strong & cold easterly wind, which was not only uncomfortable, but made aiming difficult.
The morning’s play consisted of two singles and a doubles.
In the doubles, D. Edwards (handicap 10) & S. Read (12) for Cornwall played M. Beaver (14, & J. Hardcastle (16).The handicap system gave Budleigh 4 bisques (free shots). After early sparring gave Budleigh a 2 hoops to 1 advantage, Edwards got in with a break of 10, declining to go for rover. However, what seemed to be a rather nice lead was whittled away as Budleigh tenaciously fought back, and as time sounded, they led by two hoops. Read had his last turn to find his up-to-then elusive form, but fortunately for Cornwall, did so, taking 5 hoops & giving the home side a +9 win.
In the singles, Tony Jennings (14) had a comprehensive 26-2 win against Robert Tate (14), who struggled to hit-in in the difficult conditions. Budleigh’s strongest player, Marie Lester (10), was also finding the wind a real problem, and went down 12-22 to Des Honey (14).
So a good morning for Cornwall, 3-0 up at lunch.
Four singles were played in the afternoon, in conditions which were slightly warmer but only marginally less windy. Des Honey earned his tea with a win in a low scoring game against Hardcastle 12-8. Read was still struggling unsuccessfully to find his usually reliable form, and was beaten 21-12 by Tate, who had a much better game than in the morning, as did Beaver, who beat Jennings 19-15. Edwards managed a 26-9 win against Lester, avenging a loss to her in 2010 by the same margin.
Overall, a good start to the season for Cornwall, with a 5-2 overall win.
Final Score: Cornwall 5 Budleigh 2