MTP is currently touring the northern hemisphere and managed to find time to take in the British Open at Southwick. He was kind enough to send through this email which I post in full. Happy travels MTP.
Dear Fellow Croquet Buffs!
Just wishing to share with you some pics I took at the GC 2022 UK Championships played at Southwick, Brighton over the weekend.
I’d felt privileged to rub shoulders with people like Jenny and Chris Clarke (NZ), Stephen Mulliner (who lies on his tummy when he has an angled shot to the hoop, to determine his line!) and watching characters like Lionel Tibble who still smokes while playing!
On Saturday, I’d introduced myself and my friend Tim Johnson to past World No 1, Reg Bamford, telling Reg I was a big fan of his.
Reg was playing tremendously well and I was very impressed with his consistency, demeanour and style.
And then on Sunday, during Reg’s semi-final with Stephen Mulliner, Reg spied us on the boundary and asked, ‘Is it Michael and Tim?’
‘Yes’, I replied, ‘ But I’m worried you don’t have a cap on. Would you like to borrow mine?’
‘No thanks’, said Reg. ‘I’m a great Vitamin D Guy!’
I love that quote!
Reg’s jump shorts were particularly breathtaking.
Some highlights:
- On Saturday, Reg did a successful angled double-bounce jump through the 5th from the boundary – his shot was from about halfway between Hoops 4 and 5!
- Yesterday, during one of the first two games in the Final against Robert Fulford, Reg did a beautiful full jump without a bounce from the boundary, directly over Robert’s ball which was in the jaws of Hoop 3
- And in Game 2 of the Final (Reg had won the 1st game) when the scores were 6-5 in Reg’s favour, Reg attempted a massive 18 yard double-bounce jump at an angle of perhaps 30 degrees from close to Hoop 7, to the 12th. After the first bounce his ball struck the outside leg of Hoop 12 – so close!
Had the ball gone through, Reg would have won the game and the match and the Tournament! - However, unfortunately for him, Robert ran the 12th.
Reg’s first to the 13th (Red) was perfect – landed about half a yard in front of the hoop.
Rob then had the luck of an Englishman!
His first to the 13th (Black) went through the back of Hoop 13, landing 1 inch on the other side.
Reg then landed his Yellow about 2 yards in front of Hoop 13, and then Rob cleared Red with his Blue.
Reg then had a go at clearing Black with Red from an angled shot on the boundary, but unfortunately Red struck Black on the left side instead of the right side, pushing Black through the hoop!
So the score was now ‘One Game All’ and then Rob ran away with Game 3 to win the tournament!
But what a great weekend of croquet it was!
All photos courtesy of MTP!
