By Chris Ham

Bude Croquet Club latest news

ON A DREARY, drizzly Tuesday, May 28, Bude’s Higher Handicap Team travelled to St Austell for their away fixture with Cornwall Croquet Club.

Despite the weather, the three lawns were in excellent condition and Bude won all three opening doubles games, Pauline Sear and Colette Ham leading the way with a resounding 7-1 win. 

Phil and Hilary Dorren were not far behind with a very good 7-2 victory, but lost the final doubles game very narrowly going 7-6 down on the extra deciding hoop. 

Val and Dave Langdown did really well to emerge 7-4 winners of their game, having been 4-0 down. Four singles games were also played in the second round, Colette Ham and Pauline Sear continuing their scintillating start, both winning 7-2.

The next round of six singles games saw each team win three, Bude maintaining a two-game lead in the match. 

Pauline Sear and Colette Ham again won emphatic victories, while Hilary Dorren narrowly scraped home in a tetchy game. 

The overall score at this stage was 8-6, with Bude requiring three more wins to collect the points.

These were duly acquired in the fourth round of matches as Pauline Sear rounded off her player of the match performance with another big 7-3 win.

Val Langdown persevered to win the deciding hoop in a tense 7-6 win and Dave Langdown whitewashed his opponent 7-0.

Two more singles remained to play, both level at 6-6 after their 12th hoop, with the St Austell side winning the extra hoop in both games to limit Bude to an 11-9 final score.

The margin of victory was close but of Cornwall’s nine wins, six came at the 13th deciding hoop whereas eight of Bude’s wins were by four or more hoops, a very encouraging sign.