BROADWAS Croquet Club narrowly missed out on winning the South West regional final of the Association Croquet Federation League.

Broadwas travelled to Sidmouth to take on an experienced Bath team and suffered an agonising defeat by four matches to three.

It was the first year Broadwas had competed in this competition and they did well to head their division after being undefeated throughout their campaign.

Having received a bye in the semi final, Broadwas took on Bath, who had defeated Cornwall in the other semi-final.

On a lovely sunny day, on lawns overlooking the sea, Broadwas got off to an excellent start in the showpiece final.

John Guy won his match 26-9 and Ian Dampney triumphed 26-6 to set up a fine opening for the Worcestershire side.

The doubles match was close and, when time was called after three hours 15 minutes, Stuart Smith and John Evans were just one hoop down and lost 15-14. At lunch, the match score was 2-1 in Broadwas’ favour.

In the afternoon session things started well when Dampney stormed through his match to win 26-4.

The other three singles games were cagey affairs, and all went the full three hours 15 minutes at which point Guy lost 23-9.

Other matches were close with Smith losing 13-12 and Evans producing a remarkable comeback before being pipped 23-22.

Bath ran out victors by four matches to three, but great credit should go to the Broadwas team who had performed creditably throughout their first season in the league.

Janet Bedford and Roger Wood had previously played in many of Broadwas’ league games throughout the season but were not available for the final The Broadwas Golf Croquet team also had a fine season, winning the West Midlands League for the fourth time in the last five seasons.

Meanwhile, the popular Janet Bedford is the newlyelected club captain at Broadwas Croquet Club.

Bedford has won the annual Low Handicap Golf Croquet Tournament in Cheltenham.

Bedford won all her five games, despite having to give all her opponents at least two free shots. Ian Dampney came third in the Level Play Golf Croquet Tournament, also in Cheltenham.

For details about Broadwas Croquet Club, call John Guy on 01905 748192 or e-mail: johnkeithguy@aol.com