Ryde Open Golf Croquet Tournament 2011 Results
The annual Open Golf Croquet competition was held at the Ryde Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club over the weekend of 30th and 31st July. Competitors from all over the Country formed the majority of the entry of 16 players, with some of these fresh from the World Championships held in the previous week. Seven local players also took part in two days of intense competition.
The first day and a half were made up of block matches, with the entrants divided into two groups. This meant that there were seven matches for every competitor consisting of two 13 hoop games. 10 games were played on Saturday, with the remaining 4 being played on Sunday morning and the majority of these proved to be extremely close.
In the Blue group the top scorer was 18 year old Ryan Cabble from Nailsea, currently ranked 9 in the Country. He was placed seventh in the under 21 World Championships but, although failing to qualify for the main draw of the World Championships themselves, he is still a formidable player. In second place with 9 wins was Ryde's Secretary, Roy Tillcock, with his doubles partner Robin Thornton in third place with 8 wins. Also ranked were John Sim in fifth place with 7 wins and newcomer Nick Westmore in eighth position with 2 wins in his very first tournament.
Meanwhile in the Red group the top scorer was the oldest competitor in the event, Dr. William Ormerod, from Swanage & East Dorset. Although there was a possibility of a tie for second place, Ryde's Richard Harris, with 9 wins out of 14, was adjudged to be the second place holder over Chris Roberts of Phyllis Court, Henley by virtue of one hoop. Ryde players in this group included Dave Willett in sixth place with 6 wins and Pam Sim in eighth place.
In the first semi final, William Ormerod proved to be very steady but is also known as a slow player. Leading most of the way in a 19 hoop game he eventually was declared the winner by 9 hoops to 6 when time was called.
The second semi final was much quicker with Ryan Cabble able to run hoops seemingly from all directions and at high speed. Richard Harris reckoned to be lucky to have gained as many hoops as he did in a 10-4 defeat.
In the final Ryan Cabble beat William Ormerod in straight games, 7-4, 7-5, whilst in the play off for third and fourth positions, the match went to the wire with Roy managing to gain hoop 19 to beat Richard 10-9.
In the Plate Competition, John Sim beat Dave Willett in the top half semi final with a score of 7-5 and then went on to win the consolation event by beating Keith Webb of Sussex County by a similar score.
The Manager was Alan Truckel of Ryde.
