Budleigh Salterton Croquet Club
Press release 5 – The Men's Championships at Budleigh
Salterton
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A strong field of
competitors gathered for the start of the Men's Championships with all
matches being played as best of three. With so many experienced players
rapid games were the order of the day and triple peels were plentiful This
very skilful manoeuvre enables the player to take his second ball through all
twelve hoops in a single break while at the same time peeling his first ball
though its final three hoops and then pegging out before the adversary could
really get going. By the time the semi-final stage had been
reached the four names on the list were Stephen Mulliner, James Death, Keith
Aiton and Dave Kibble. By this stage we were seeing each match played as a
best of five and some tough tussles took place. James had to recover from the
loss of his first two games to play impressively to take the next three games
performing a flawless triple in each of them. This put him into the final
against Stephen Mulliner who had played with great control and precision to
defeat Dave Kibble.
The final was played on Sunday with the first two games going to
Mulliner. In the third game James pulled one back and then levelled the score
to bring another fifth game decider. Mulliner appeared to be on his way to
the title when a small slip up let James in and he was able to take his
second ball round and complete an impressive victory. The spectators were
enthralled by his easy assurance and the power he could apply in long and
accurate shots. This was his first 'major' but there seems little doubt that
more will follow.
The Mixed Doubles Final was played between Dave \Kibble
with Louise Bradforth and Keith Aiton with Gabrielle Higgins. A tough contest
between Louise and Chris Williams for the Du Pre Cup finished quite late on
Sunday afternoon so play started in the doubles around 6pm. Both women
achieved breaks through the first nine hoops and then it was down to the men
to battle for the chance to pull off a triple and end the game. By 7.30pm it
was all over with Keith playing impeccably who did this after a scrappy spell
when either player might have seized the initiative.
The prize giving ceremony took place earlier to allow most competitors to
begin homeward journeys and Patricia Duke-Cox, the Croquet Association
Chairman, warmly thanked the club for hosting the event and providing such
splendid playing conditions. She had really enjoyed her second visit and her
chance to play in this important event. She then presented the trophies to
Gabrielle Higgins and James Death as the two new champions and the Du Pre Cup
to Chris Williams. The
standard of play in the five days of competition had been very high and we
await the test match series later in the season and wish all the home team
success in their quest to retain the international trophy. Charles Townshend |
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