Sussex County AC Annual Tournament

30 out of a maximum 32 players took part in this year's Annual Tournament, 10 in the A class, 14 in the B class and 6 in C class.

Ideal weather for AC, pleasant sunshine to enjoy if you wish, but warm in the shade, and a light breeze to refresh, whilst you watch your opponent go round to 4-Back!

The event was played on the Club's new Quadway hoops; this may have contributed to the lack of TP's and length of games in the A class, and the nearly half of all games in the B class which went to time rather than peg-out!

In the A class, which was played as a flexible Swiss, the lower handicapped players in the group rose to the top of the table on the first day, with the exception of Jim Field who had a clearly off-form 1/3 wins; Adam Swinton, newly down from h/c 3 a month ago to 1.5 (congratulations) made a strong start with 2/3 wins. 

By lunchtime of the second day the Manager was rather fearful of a tied and not easily resolved ending, with 4 players on 3/4 wins. However, wins by two of the four,  Neil Coote and John Daniels, in the last match gave a clear win to John, as he had beaten Neil in an earlier round. This was John's second time taking the Abbey Challenge Trophy as he previously won in 2022.

With a large entry of 14 players in the B class the Swiss proceeded with little difficulty, other than the number of games going to time previously noted. The spread of handicaps was 1.5 to 8 and by the end of the first day the lower handicapped half of the draw had largely established themselves at the top of the table. The winner was David H Boyd who won all his games, ahead of Peter Thompson who lost only to David.

The C class of 6 players played a five round block and quietly got on with their games over the two days, for which the Manager was very thankful. Only 2/15 games went to time which is a very good standard. As in the B class, the winner, Steve Chapman, won all his games; Christine Rice, second placed, lost only to Steve. Steve also gained his Silver Merit Award and reduced his handicap to 7 so double congratulations to him.

Thanks very much to Rachel Pointon, ably assisted by Richard Pointon, Elizabeth Bell, Angela Price and Jo Mander for the excellent lunches each day, and to the various cake makers as well. AC players enjoy their lunch (and cake)!

It was great to see such a large number of players taking part and I hope next year will be as well attended.

John

John Daniels

David H Boyd

Steve Chapman

Full results