idmouth Herald published 2 July 2015
The Sidmouth Federation croquet team suffered a 5-2 defeat in their second league match away to Cornwall, writes David Butler.
The Sidmouth doubles partnership of Julie Horsley and Mike Taylor had five bisques against the Cornwall partnership of Richard Griffith (sporting a minus half handicap) and Des Honey, and they used their bisques tactically to win plus eight on time.
In the two morning singles games Ian Friedlander played Peter Cutting and Philip Harris played Ian Wilson. They were unable to adjust to the slower lawns and lost minus five and minus eleven respectively.
Four singles were played in the afternoon.
Mike Taylor was drawn to play Richard Griffith. Mike had four-and-a-half bisques and, having seen Richard hit in and run four hoops with only three balls on the lawn, decided to use his bisques immediately. He won in less than two hours to peg out and win, plus 20.
Ian and Philip continued to struggle and lost their singles minus 18 and minus 13 respectively.
Julie Horsley play confidently and determinedly against Des Honey and was unlucky to lose minus one on time.
The team were not-down hearted because the sun shone all day and they enjoyed the Cornish tea and strawberries provided by their hosts.