SIXTEEN players competed in the annual Sidmouth B-Level Advanced Tournament at the weekend.

SIXTEEN players competed in the annual Sidmouth B-Level Advanced Tournament at the weekend. Over the three days, two all-play-all groups of eight were keenly fought with first and second places being taken by Richard Wood (Sidmouth) and Mike Huxley (Guildford and Godalming) in one group and Alan Edwards (Woking) and Nigel Amos (Bath) in the other.

They were the lowest handicapped players in the competition.

The final between Richard and Alan started very cagily with both players eventually getting going, but breaking down after a few hoops. The game swung away from Richard with Alan running all 12 hoops to peg with his second ball. Even so, Richard had several chances throughout the game which, uncharacteristically, he failed to capitalise on. With his 26-13 win, Alan became the tournament winner and holder of the Regency Salver.

Of the Sidmouth participants, Richard Wood, Richard Mills and Robert Hammond had excellent results - Richard Wood reducing his handicap to 3 and Richard Mills to 3.5.

Elaine Woodward has announced that she will be relinquishing the management of this event, which she has performed successfully for the nine years since its inception. Her professionalism and concerned approach to all personal and organisational matters has found a resonance with players who return year after year. The standard has been set!

The New Members' Doubles Tournament organised by Howard Quarrell, assisted by David Baldock, attracted 12 entrants competing in both Association and Golf Croquet games.

Each year, the winners receive 'Red Queen' trophies, designed and made by David; fine mementoes of what is always an enjoyable event.

This year, the winners were Marian and Philip Harris, who won 7-5 in the final against country members Mary and John Williams.

Sidmouth are to be congratulated on coming top of the South West section of the B League and will play the South East section winners, Nailsea, in a semi-final to be held at Weston-super-Mare on Sunday, September 6.

The other semi-final will be between The Bear of Rodborough and Bath, winners of the North and Central sections respectively.