NEWS 2009

FDHC and Exning P.C Charity Pairs 2009.

The planning for this year’s event began way back in March with the normal check of the playing calendar. Having chosen what we believed to be a free date the flyers were prepared. Unfortunately unaware to us we found out later that our friends at Coates had decided on the same day. But fortunately the clash of dates did not affect either of the events. The flyers were sent out and the entries began to arrive. By the eve of the event we had received thirty-four postal entries.

As normal I, Tricia and Mick Whymer went to Tattersalls on the Saturday afternoon and set about preparing the battlefield of play. Directions signs erected we made our way home to prepare for the next day.

Come Sunday morning the sun was shining and the forecast for the day was looking good. We arrived on site to prepare to find one pair waiting at the gates keen to enter. Slowly but surely the teams began to arrive and by the registration cut off time we had (to our surprise and pleasure) forty-two entries. As normal we had our usual entries from far afield but it was to our great delight that we had many teams entering from the local Newmarket league. The draw commenced and play began. Three games were played in the morning with the 'pack' being split during the lunch break into two groups. The top sixteen progressed to the main competition and the rest went on to play in the plate. The afternoon section also consisted of three games with the morning’s scores being carried over.

During the days play it was good to see many local teams holding their own against the experienced teams. We are now hopeful that with the taste of competing some of these local teams may now begin to venture further afield. It was also gratifying to receive many compliments from national players on the turnout we received, with one well known competitor curious as to how we could get more entries than national events.

Come the end of play we arrived at the presentations.

This year’s chosen charity was once again CLICSargeant, we have now decided to adopt this charity for future events. Last year we were fortunate to have the presentations done by Liam Fairhurst, as many of you will know Liam lost his fight with cancer earlier this year. It was with great pleasure that Liams family agreed to come along again and present the trophies. Mark, Sarah and Callum did not just come for the presentations that came along and supported the whole day. Liams Mum Sarah had also decided played in the event partnering Tricia for the day. Being a complete novice Sarah was given a short introduction to game by Chris Allen and Vanessa Webb.

During the day Callum was kept busy selling the charity wristbands he had had made in his brothers memory and soon due to the sterling efforts of Sofiane Lachini everybody on site was wearing one. The sale of the wristbands raised £190 put this with the entry fees of £430 and the days total was a grand £620. Callum had also agreed to present the trophies. After presentation it was down to clearing up, which was quickly done with the help of many volunteers.

The roll of honour for the day: Plate competition: 3rd - Simon and Lewis Fletcher. 2nd - John and Dan Mingay. 1st - Dave and Jack Pearson.

Main competition: 3rd - Chris Allen and Vanessa Webb. 2nd - Steve and Dan Rice. 1st - Sofiane Lachini and Simon Bird.

Mick Whymer

Tricia Harris

Ken Harris