Cambridge win the 7th Oxbridge Croquet Tournament, Sunday 31 March 2019

We had a glorious day in the autumn sunshine yesterday at Cammeray Croquet Club. Nineteen players were on the lawns and we were well supported by our mentors Alix Verge, Alan Walsh and Ian Lucas who generously gave their time to coach us on the finer points of the game. After the morning's practice, twelve participants were involved in the Blues contest in the afternoon with the games being closely fought. David Goodman and Chris Bertram represented Oxford in the final having beaten last year's champions Robert Laurie and Robin Mills 4-3 in the semi-final who in turn had defeated Susie Spinks and Bruce Macklin 4-3 in the quarter final. Martin Maynard and Andrew Fulton represented Cambridge in the final. They had defeated Elizabeth Glasson and Zheng Wang 4-3 in the semi-final and Katy Toole, daughter of Yvonne Toole, and Julian Todd 4-1 in the quarter final. In the final Oxford took the lead three times and, with the scores at 3-2 to Oxford, were on the verge of winning the tournament before a match saving shot from Andrew removed an Oxford ball from the jaws of the hoop and Martin promptly struck an equalising shot with Cambridge then going on to win the final hoop and secure a 4-3 victory. Many congratulations our the new champions Martin and Andrew. Many thanks to Julian Todd from BackVintage who presented the very popular prizes (one of which was opened immediately) and to Susie Spinks, who helped organise the day and who has kindly agreed to take on the organisational responsibility for next year's event. Our thanks also goes to Juan Roberson who was the 'thought leader' in creating the event and who ran it for the first six years bringing us together in what is now a regular event in our calendars. I look forward to seeing everyone next year.