Sidmouth Herald published 31 May 2013
Photo: Elaine Norsworty [Budleigh Salterton]
Sidmouth’s top croquet team faced good neighbours Budleigh Salterton in the Parkstone League, writes Colin Walls.
Fittingly the contest turned into a classic with Sidmouth battling back from an early deficit to secure a 4-3 success.
For this level of play the hoops are set so that there is just 1/16” clearance between the ball and the uprights. To get the ball through relies on a relaxed free-flowing stroke, difficult to do at the best of times under the stress of a critical match!
On Sunday a chill wind blew from the sea, stiffening up muscles and diverting mallets.
The result was an error-prone day with few large breaks, but a good test of character.
Sidmouth lost both singles in the morning, only a victory in the doubles giving some hope.
In the afternoon four doubles were played; fortunately Richard Wood, David Temple and Mike Taylor (Sidmouth’s chairman) managed to win for the hosts with Chris Donovan (Budleigh’s chairman) the only winner for the visitors.
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