Last year the Colchester team, captained by Steven Scrase, reached the final of the EACF Handicap League at Wrest Park, only to come a close second to Meldreth. This year, we scoured the globe for a truly multinational team to avenge that defeat – Marilyn Wood from Wales, Alex Wood from Scotland, Marion de Landmeter from Holland and Kev Croot from England.
Thankfully the apocalyptic floods of recent days abated, on a lovely sunny autumn day, the team faced Newport Oaks. Team handicaps of both teams were similar, leading to many long, hard-fought games – the record went to Marion, who, in a real test of physical and mental endurance, finally overcame her opponent after an hour and fifty minutes!
Oaks got off to a fast start but were pulled back to all square by lunchtime. Colchester grabbed a two-game lead in the first block of the afternoon and held on to the lead to seal a 10-8 win with the last game of the day. The six o’clock finish had us wondering if our phone torches could be used to floodlight the last few games!
The final hoop score of 105-100 to Colchester, showed how narrow the margin was between the teams.
This is Colchester’s first title win in the 20th anniversary year of the competition. Well done to the winning team and shout out to everyone who played in earlier rounds – Stephen Scrase, Patrick de Burca, Hugh Brown, Patricia Drinkwater and Chris Clarke. Without their contributions in the league stage, we would not have reached the final.
As always, the match was played in a very friendly (but competitive) spirit and we look forward to renewing the rivalry next year.
The team now goes forward to the National GC Handicap team event in 2025.
