Ipswich members at the World Championship

Last week, four Ipswich members were involved in the AC World Championship held at Surbiton, Roehampton, Hurlingham and Woking.  Two were among the 80 players from around the world.  Mark Avery got to the Last 16, before losing to Robert Fletcher, the 20 year old Australian who went on to win the World Championship.  Martin French didn’t make the cut for the Last 32, but had a good run in the Plate consolation event, losing only one game.  Martin, as retiring Secretary-General of the World Croquet Federation, also make the presentations to the new World Champion and winners of the minor events.  Celia Steward and Phil Eardley both helped out for much of the week behind the bar at Surbiton Club.  Surbiton is a large (8 lawn) but very friendly club which was the hub for this event, and attracted enthusiastic helpers from all over the country – a testament to the importance of a good atmosphere in a club!