Firstly - we don't know why but the order of play for Day 2 would not reveal itself on croquetscores - so sorry about that.

The 8 block winners progressed to the KO and, after the first round, both Neal Bacon and Aston Wade found themselves in the semi-finals - the pair had played so well and deserved their places. Their dreams were soon shattered by Robert Wilkinson (with a tp) and Lionel Tibble respectively.

The rain came and was it torrential! this did not deter a waterproof free (forgotten them) Wilkinson who won the final over Tibble +26tp. Lionel had trudged a long old path to the final having squeaked through his block with one win and -5 net points - declaring he was "saving himself" - well played Lionel - never a truer word eh? Many congratulations to Robert.

The 3/4 playoff was won by Aston Wade +11 who earned himself an auto handicap reduction to 0.5.

The Hands Ladder consolation was an exciting affair - early pre-start favourite was David Goacher who had won all his 3 block games but been pipped by Aston on net points (they were in a cross block so no who played who). The afternoon saw Goacher playing RM Smith - if David won he could not be caught in the ladder - if he lost Richard would be top but would have to wait to find out his fate. David lost! calamity for management! So, if David Marsh beat Louise he would be the outright ladder champ - David lost (pattern developing with christian names) and lucky Louise is on some sort of gin based promise from Richard M Smith. More waiting - if Rod Ashwell beat Andrew Wise he could tie with Richard.....and of course Rod did win +1 on time! and Rod had to make the winning break in his time turn. So - it was agreed a "Goacher" tie break decider would be played - Richard and Rod managed somehow to each play the same sequence of shots in their first attempt and both missed the cut rush after hoop 4. Second time round Richard made 3 hoops to Rod's 1.75 (was sooo close) - so well done to Richard M Smith.

Apart from the weather on day 2 I hope everyone had a good safe time - it was great to see some new faces plus some I hadn't seen for years.

Thanks to David Magee and his team for lawn preparation and Eileen Magee for the very well received Takeway Delivered lunches - the soup was a real treat!

Finally - enormous thanks to Julia Lowery who was sweet talked into doing all the scoring within croquetscores and to run the hands ladder - almost 80 games to monitor or organise - she was certainly kept busy and I have no idea how many miles she walked constantly seeking missing results or checking progress of games.

Report and photo will follow in usual way!

Have a good summer

Sarah