BUDE Croquet Club’s Handicap League team seized the opportunity to strengthen their position at the top of the Southwestern league with two home games on June 30 and July 2.

First up were Cornwall Croquet Club from St Austell who found themselves 5-2 down after the initial round of singles.

They fared no better in the second round, after which Bude again won 5-2 to run up a comfortable 10-4 advantage.

This was no walkover though as six of the games went to a 13th deciding hoop, but Bude's generally superior finishing saw them emerge 7-6 winners in five of the games.

The match was won by Keith Hansford's comprehensive and rapid 7-2 victory in the third round, and with Bude winning all four doubles games, the final result was 14-4 to Bude.

Barnstaple were the visitors on the Wednesday (July 2) and their team, more familiar with the Bude courts, offered a serious threat.

However, the Seasiders dominated the first round of singles with Andy Middleton, Helen North and Dave Langdown all maintaining their recent good form with big 7-2 wins, setting up a 6-2 lead.

In the second round, apart from Middleton notching up another 7-2 victory, games were much more closely contested, with the overall score 10-6 in Bude's favour.

With only four doubles games left to play, Barnstaple needed to win all four to secure a draw, but the home side needed just one victory to secure maximum points.

Keith Hansford and Langdown won a very fast game 7-3 to maintain Bude’s winning ways. One game was lost, but Bobbo Peers and Vic Frampton took victory in a very tight game 7-6, leaving Middleton and North to end the match at 13-7 with a 7-3 win, the deciding shot a superb 25-yard hoop from North.