Wilkinson Sword 2024
3 August 2023, Knightswood
There were teams from Aberdeen and Crathes (ACCC), Auchincruive, Balgreen and Glasgow for this annual handicap doubles tournament, held at Knightswood in Glasgow. The weather was generally fine, with just a few refreshing showers. The lawns were generally in good condition, though some repairs were needed at hoop 6 on one lawn due to damage by birds.
Defending champions Aberdeen were playing against Auchincruive first up, and it was agreed to play Alternate Stroke Doubles (all other matches used traditional doubles). The game was quite cautious, and more than once the damaged hoop 6 caused a break to end in grief. Auchincruive were making reasonable progress with their bisques, but unfortunately had to use another one when Steve Rivett failed to move a ball in a croquet shot (he is a good golf croquet player but is relatively new to AC). Eventually, the bisques ran out and Aberdeen won 18-12 with just a minute left on the clock. On the other lawn, Glasgow’s father and son team of Stephen and Reuben Barnett had a tough time against Balgreen, losing 4-18, but it was Reuben’s first AC game for around three years.
By the second game, Reuben was getting his eye in and took his yellow ball all the way to the peg against Aberdeen, aided by several bisques. Unfortunately, Stephen became unwell as he was trying to make progress with red, and Reuben had to take over all of the shots for the rest of the game. John Owen took black round and pegged yellow out, leaving two balls against one as time was running out. Bill Strachan had a chance to finish with blue, but he missed the peg out on black and Aberdeen won 17-11. Auchincruive beat Balgreen 12-10 in the other game, but the low scoring would prove crucial in the final reckoning.
In the third round, Dave McLaughlin was a substitute for Glasgow and they came through 18-5 against Auchincruive. This left Balgreen v Aberdeen as the deciding match. It was a poor quality affair, with all players having scored just one hoop after nearly an hour. However, Balgreen had kept their bisques in reserve, and several were available for Roger Binks to use later in the game. Both teams had lots of chances, but Balgreen held on to win 15-12.
This result left Balgreen and Aberdeen with two wins, but Aberdeen’s total of 47 points was ahead of Balgreen’s 43, so Aberdeen retained the trophy. Had net hoops been the deciding factor, Balgreen would have won.
John Owen
Teams
ACCC: John Owen & Bill Strachan
Auchincruive: Kevin Wright & Steve Rivett
Balgreen: Roger Binks & Phil Banfield
Glasgow: Steve Barnett, Reuben Barnett & Dave McLaughlin
Results
Round 1
ACCC 18 - Auchincruive 12
Balgreen 18 - Glasgow 4
Round 2
ACCC 17 - Glasgow 11
Auchincruive 12 - Balgreen 10
Round 3
Balgreen 15 - ACCC 12
Glasgow 18 - Auchincruive 5
