32 players sorted into 4 x Blocks of 8 Players based upon Ranking Grade. Adjustments had been made in accordance with WCF Regulations Appendix 4 : 6.1 – 7.5 to correctly distribute Players by Country. In all 12 Different Countries were represented. 5 from England, and Spain, 3 from Finland, Ireland, Sweden, Wales and Switzerland, 2 from Germany, Norway, 1 from Czech Republic, Latvia and Scotland (with myself David Fell representing Scotland).

All matches in the Block Stage and Main Knock-Out were Best of 3 x 13pt games.

Day ONE and Day TWO

: 3 x Best of 3 matches

Day THREE:

Last Block Match (Bo3). Any Block Position PLAY-OFFS. Last 16 match (Bo3)

Quarter Final (Bo3) and 3 x Plate Block single 13pt games.

Day FOUR:

Main Event Semi Finals and Final (Bo3). Plate Quarter, Semi and Final (Bo3). Additional Plate Games for places 25th to 32nd.

At the end of the Block Stage the four highest placed Players in each block advance to the Knock-Out (KO) stage.

The Bowl KO will be played by Players who lose in the first round of the KO Stage.

The Shield will be played by Players who lose in the second round KO Stage.

Players that do not make the KO stage will enter the Plate event.

On entry, Players are expected to complete ALL games.

The Plate will consist of qualifying blocks followed by a KO.

Time Limits

In General Games had no time limits but the manager reserved the right to impose Time limits if games were holding up the smooth running of the event.

Playing Conditions

The tournament took place over 8 of the 11 lawns at Budleigh Salterton Croquet Club over 4 days of hot and sunny weather on well-manicured Firm Lawns using “Quadway” hoops with I believe with a clearance of 1/32 of an inch. Hoops were reset each day.

On day 2 in my own 1st game the ball became jammed in two of the hoops requiring the referee having to be called to have the hoops reset before play could continue.

The Result

The Tournament was won by Rachel Gee form England beating Aston Wade in a repeat of last year’s final but with the result reversed.

Standard of Play

The standard of Play was very high with 18 Players with D Grade of above 2000. 7 of those with a handicap of -3. With only 4 players with a handicap ranging between 2 – 4.

My own performance

In all I played 22 individual level games against opposition 30 of whom had a higher DGrade than myself and at the end of the day when updating my handicap record on the system my DGrade was 1704 prior to the tournament and finished a DGrade of 1819(max DGrade in last 12 months  1859) therefore I think a respectable showing with some good compliments from a number of the players I played against.

I think it is important from Scottish Croquet Association point of view that Scotland is seen to play in such events as Sports Scotland financial support for sport tends to favour those sports that participate at Elite level. (Not that I am claiming that for myself).

The Catering and Social Side

The Event was well supported by the Club Members who organised packed lunches for all who requested them and on Friday evening after play there organised a Fish & Chip supper. Evening and on Saturday held a Paella and Music Evening.

 David Fell 29/5/2023