Spencer Ell Cup 2011

"Eights week" is a major fixture in the Croquet Association calendar and takes place in September each year. An "Eight" is a tournament for eight people in which "all play all" twice. There are four "Eights" played simultaneously during the week at four different locations. Anyone who wants to enter can do so by submitting an application the the Croquet Association. The Selectors then decide who plays in each Eight. The strongest play for the President's Cup, the next strongest eight play for the Chairman's Cup, then the Spencer Ell Cup and lastly the Treasurer's Tankard. In 2011the Spencer Ell was held at Ryde on the Isle of Wight and due to late withdrawals from the higher Eights Graham Gale and Duncan Hector were promoted to the Spencer Ell from the Treasurer's and could therefore be considered as outsiders. In the event Martin Murray won but Graham and Duncan shared 2nd place which might be a first for promoted players!