This weekend sixteen top croquet players, from north, south, east and west and including our very own Chris Higgins, took the ferry across the Solent waters to play their ‘A’ level national final championship in Ryde, Isle of Wight.
The weather, although fine, wasn’t as warm as it might have been, but this did not deter the players – nor indeed the spectators! Chris played seven matches on Saturday, all closely fought, to gain a place in the Plate finals. He missed out on a place in the Cup Finals – the very very top of the nationals – by just three hoops!
Come Sunday, tensions were high as each player battled it out for the Plate. Chris came through the quarter and semi finals unscathed and smiling, fighting off players from Ashby de la Zouch and Backworth (Northumberland) before meeting Martin Read from Hurlingham in the final play off. In each game of the final, he was well ahead until some cunning tactics on the part of Martin, and a bit of bad luck for Chris, handed Martin the Plate on the ‘golden hoop’.
Throughout the weekend the level of skill, clearing balls, running hoops and tactically outwitting the opposition, was incredible to watch and indeed, inspiring.
Many congratulations to Chris – very well done and well deserved!
Lizzy Darbyshire
