Cornwall Croquet Club

Mon 19 Jun 2017 - SWF Golf Croquet League (Played at Cornwall CC)

Cornwall Porthpean v Sidmouth

Final Score: Cornwall Porthpean 9½ Sidmouth 10½

Mon 19 June saw Cornwall's Porthpean golf croquet team play their final home match of the season, although two away matches remain.

A full team of eight with handicaps ranging from 3-10 turned out on one of the hottest days of the year so far to host a team of six from Sidmouth with handicaps ranging from 5-10.Both teams were thankful for the considerately erected gazebos and, when not on the lawns, sought the shade that these provided.

Porthpean started the day well with wins in the doubles games for Rhona Foster and Felicity Owen when they triumphed 7-4 over Roy Hubbard and Michael Hide and for Dorianne Forsdick and Russell Moore with their 7-3 defeat of John Coombes and Steve Pearson. Martin Hughes and Kathleen Moorshead secured an additional half point from their 6-6 draw against Pam Bowra and Michael.

Once into the singles games Porthpean endured a steady succession of losses and the early lead soon evaporated.

Exceptions were a 7-6 victory for Felicity when she met Roy and a 6-5 win for Janet Bell over Michael in one of the few games of the match that went to time.

By early afternoon the visitors had achieved more than half the day's available points and Porthpean realised that they would have to settle for second place. However, unwilling to accept too hefty a defeat, the hosts suddenly regained their initial winning form and a string of successes followed.

Felicity enjoyed her second singles win, this time with a convincing 6-2 defeat of Rob Baylis.

Rhona ran the final hoop when she took Steve to the Golden Hoop, as did Russell in his game with Michael.

Dorianne triumphed 7-5 over Pam and in the day's concluding game Kathleen defeated John 5-3.

Tea was taken under the gazebos and a final score of 10½ - 9½ in Sidmouth's favour was announced, a far more respectable outcome than Porthpean had earlier feared.

Off the lawns the highlight of the day was when the captain of Cornwall Rosevear team, Bob Cash, turned up with choc-ices for all present. A generous and thoughtful gesture which was very much appreciated by all concerned.

Report by Kathleen Moorshead.