THE first week of September proved pivotal in the relatively short modern history of Bude Croquet Club.

Having already progressed to the final of the South West Federation Regional 10 Plus Level lay League at Taunton, and finished runners-up in the South West 5+ Level play and Higher Handicap leagues, the club were drawn to play in the regional semi-final of the Handicap League away to Camerton B in Somerset last Friday.

Against a very capable team team playing on the own ground, Bude struggled initially to stay in the match, going 3-1 down in the first round, but steadied the ship in the second as Andy Middleton and Geoff Lawrence won their singles games.

The two-game gap remained as the third round ended 7-5 in Camerton's favour, however a great fightback began in the fourth round with Middleton and Dave Langdown winning their doubles, and Helen North and Frances Hornblow victorious in their singles.

With the scores now level and four games remaining, Bude did as they so often do, finding strength as their opponents flagged.

Andy, Frances and Geoff secured an 11-9 win to put Bude into the final at Budleigh Salterton on September 19 against Cardiff or Camerton A. Win and Bude will represent the entire South West in the National Federation Cup next year.

On Saturday, the club celebrated its tenth anniversary with a doubles tournament for both the Benefactor’s Trophy and the Nelson Cup, and an early evening BBQ.

In a very enjoyable competition in fine weather, superbly organised by club secretary Martin French, the eventual winners were Pete Cash and Shelley Collman, both of whom, despite playing for less than two years, have made phenomenal progress and are stalwarts of the club's league teams.