High Wycombe entertained Winchester in a SCF Level play GC league match on June 5th.
Alan Clark 1, Keith Pound 2, Marc Allen 7 and Ralph Baker 8 took on Roger Barnacle -1, Nigel Hind -1, Ian Harrison 0 and Pam Johnston 2. On paper this meant on average we were each playing people who had a 4 ½ handicap better than us. Unfortunately this advantage transferred itself from paper to the lawns and we were beaten 6-1. There were some rays of sunshine for individuals if not the club. Alan managed to lose 3-7, 7-3 5-7 to Roger, his single victory meaning he gained 10 index points from these 3 matches. The next two results were more spectacular but it is hard to rank them in order of exaltation. Keith 2 beat Nigel -1, 7-2, 7-3, giving HW it’s only win and bringing Keith’s handicap down to 1, congratulations Keith. Even more amazingly Marc 7 beat Ian 0 (a very seasoned, competitive player) in one of their 3 games, thus gaining 17 index points from the 3 games. Well done Marc, a very big feather to stick in your handicap card. Croquet aside we had a good time socialising with the Winchesterians, we providing lunch for them and Roger providing a homemade cake for tea. HW remembered to enjoy themselves even when losing. To quote the Croquet Association President Quiller Barret it was ‘a character building’ experience.
Alan Clark 1, Keith Pound 2, Marc Allen 7 and Ralph Baker 8 took on Roger Barnacle -1, Nigel Hind -1, Ian Harrison 0 and Pam Johnston 2. On paper this meant on average we were each playing people who had a 4 ½ handicap better than us. Unfortunately this advantage transferred itself from paper to the lawns and we were beaten 6-1. There were some rays of sunshine for individuals if not the club. Alan managed to lose 3-7, 7-3 5-7 to Roger, his single victory meaning he gained 10 index points from these 3 matches. The next two results were more spectacular but it is hard to rank them in order of exaltation. Keith 2 beat Nigel -1, 7-2, 7-3, giving HW it’s only win and bringing Keith’s handicap down to 1, congratulations Keith. Even more amazingly Marc 7 beat Ian 0 (a very seasoned, competitive player) in one of their 3 games, thus gaining 17 index points from the 3 games. Well done Marc, a very big feather to stick in your handicap card. Croquet aside we had a good time socialising with the Winchesterians, we providing lunch for them and Roger providing a homemade cake for tea. HW remembered to enjoy themselves even when losing. To quote the Croquet Association President Quiller Barret it was ‘a character building’ experience.