Last weekend Sidmouth Croquet Club held its Finals Weekend, writes Helen Pryor.

The winners of ten Internal Tournaments held throughout the season were decided.

On Friday morning Ian Friedlander beat David Clarke in the Sheila Adams Cup, (Advanced Handicap Association) and Sue Dent beat her husband Kelvin, winning the Devonia Cup, the first cup for high handicap players.

Ann Ractliffe had a victory over Anne Gedge in the Macadam Cup - golf croquet tournament for low handicap players.

Ian Friedlander was playing again in the afternoon when he beat Philip Harris in the Woodward Salver, (Advanced level play Association croquet). Colin Walls beat Graeme Pryor in a Corbett Spoon, a One Ball competition and Kelvin Dent beat his wife Sue in the High Handicap Macadam Cup for golf croquet.

On Saturday morning the Owen Cup (doubles) was played for, a high handicap player being partnered by a low one. After a closely fought game David Temple and Sue Dent beat Richard Wood and Richard Croft. The Belmont Cup (Handicap Association) was also played and won by Philip Harris, beating Colin Walls.

In the afternoon the final of the Golf Croquet level play tournament was held between Keith Thorley and Graeme Pryor.

This best of three game match was very close, but Keith managed to win two games, thus winning the match. Played on lawn one was the Humphrey Hicks Cup - level play Advanced Association Croquet for low handicap players - the best of three un-timed games. Both players, Richard Wood (Handicap one-and-a-half) and Colin Walls (handicap five) had played in the morning. Richard Wood had a bit of a tussle during the first game, but he won it 26-10. The second game was a faster game which Richard won 26-1, with a superb triple peel, only the second of his playing career. Having won two of a possible three games, Richard was the winner.

Congratulations to all winners and hopes that those who came second will still be pleased - after all they were successful in the earlier rounds, winning matches to get to the final!

All trophies for these tournaments will be presented to the winners at the Croquet Club AGM in October.