Ashby Baggers Shine at ACO Europe Major Competition at Statfold Country Park
This weekend, the Ashby Baggers Cornhole Club made its mark at the prestigious ACO Europe Major Competition held at Statfold Country Park, competing against some of the toughest cornhole players from around the world. The event, hosted by the American Cornhole Organization, featured multiple categories and saw our club members competing in some thrilling and competitive matches.
Doubles Day: A Strong Showing in the Top Tiers
Saturday was doubles day, and the Ashby Baggers fielded strong teams in the top-tier competitions. Jon Wishart and Tony Gavan battled their way to an impressive 4th place finish, while Ben Gregory and Dale Unwin came in 5th, showing their resilience against stiff competition. Both teams played exceptionally well and represented the club with pride in the top tier.
Tier 2 and Tier 3: A Day of Triumph for Ashby Baggers
In Tier 2, Charlie Lomax teamed up with ACO President Frank Geers to take home the first-place trophy, with the Pettitt brothers—Nick and Alistair—following closely behind in 3rd. In Tier 3, the Pettitt brothers triumphed again, taking 1st place, while Ashby Junior Austin Pettitt and Matthew Barrows secured a fantastic 4th place finish. A truly remarkable achievement for the club in multiple tiers!
Co-Ed Doubles: A Fantastic Mix of Fun and Competition
The Co-Ed Doubles event, where one male and one female player team up, saw great performances from our members. Lewis Wildman and Natalie Lenton finished in 5th place, while Mum and Son duo Pauline and Alistair Pettitt came in 7th. The event was a fantastic blend of competitive play and fun, as always.
Blind Draws and Team Pairings: A Night Full of Surprises
The blind draw competition added another layer of excitement to the weekend, and Ashby Baggers showed up strong. Alistair Pettitt paired up with fellow ACO Pro and Team GB partner Liam McGrath to take 2nd place, while Charlie Lomax and Frank Geers secured 3rd. Nick Pettitt joined forces with Bury Bagger Michael Babler, and Jon Wishart was paired with Podcaster Graeme Davies, finishing the night joint 5th. It was great to see so many of our players mixing it up with different partners.
Winners’ Congratulations
Doubles: Kim and Chad Jackson
Co-Ed: Kim and Chad Jackson
Blind Draw: Kim Jackson and Joshua Hiser
The Ashby Baggers continue to grow, strengthen their skills, and leave a lasting impression wherever they play. We’re already looking forward to the next event!
On Sunday, the Ashby Baggers returned to Statfold Country Park for another exciting day of competition at the American Cornhole Organisation (ACO) Europe Major. Following a successful doubles day, the team was back on the boards for Singles Day, where club members continued to impress in various divisions.
Women’s Division: Pauline Pettitt Shines in Top Ten
Ashby’s very own Cornhole Mum, Pauline Pettitt, represented the club in the Women’s Singles competition, placing a solid 7th overall. Pauline’s consistent play showcased the growth and depth of talent within the club.
Seniors Division: Jon Wishart and Mike Gregory Fly the Ashby Flag
In the Seniors competition, Jon Wishart finished in an impressive 3rd place, with Mike Gregory closely following in 5th. Both players showed great skill and determination, keeping the Ashby Baggers in the mix among some tough competition.
Juniors Division: Austin Pettitt Takes Runner-Up Spot
In the Juniors, Austin Pettitt delivered a fantastic performance, securing the runner-up spot with a strong showing that highlights the next generation of talent in the Ashby Baggers. Well done, Austin!
Open Singles: Ashby Baggers in the Top Tier
The highlight of Sunday was the Open Singles competition, where players from all backgrounds had the chance to compete at the highest level. Ashby’s Alistair Pettitt, Tony Gavan, and Charlie Lomax had already secured ACO Pro status through their outstanding performances in the UK tournament last season, so they automatically qualified for the top tier.
Competing alongside the Pros were Nick Pettitt, Andy Clayfield, Mark Pallet, Lewis Wildman, and Jon Wishart, who earned their spots in the top tier after a qualifying competition. It was an impressive achievement just to qualify for this prestigious competition, and the Ashby Baggers didn’t disappoint.
Charlie Lomax finished the day in 5th place, with Nick Pettitt narrowly missing out on a higher finish, securing 7th and earning Pro status for the next two seasons.
In Tier 2, Mark Hutchinson led the way with an excellent 3rd place finish, followed by Mike Gregory in 4th. Matthew Barrows and Ben Gregory secured joint 5th and continued their strong performances by finishing 2nd and 5thin Tier 3, respectively.
The Big Final: Chad and Kim Jackson Make History
The Singles Major was always expected to be a thrilling battle, and it didn’t disappoint. The top four places were claimed by players who had travelled from America, with Chad Jackson taking the coveted “Kings Seat” into the final. His wife, Kim Jackson, had to beat him twice to win the title and secure the prestigious purple jersey.
Game 1 went in favour of Kim, setting the stage for a dramatic rematch in Game 2. Chad rallied back, winning 21-18 in a nail-biting finish to claim the Singles Major Championship. This was the first time in ACO history that a Major final was contested by a married couple, making it a historic moment in the sport!
Kelsi Banks, originally from Manchester but now based in the USA, took 3rd place, with Jason Raynor finishing 4th.
A Bright Future for Cornhole in the UK
The Jacksons’ dominance in the competition showcased the level of expertise required to compete at the highest level, and while the UK is still growing, the future of Cornhole in the country looks incredibly promising. With the UK Cornhole League (UKCL) continuing to develop and new clubs emerging across the country, we are on track to see the sport thrive in the UK.
Congratulations to the winners:
Seniors: Jon Stynes
Juniors: Byron Smith
Women: Kim Jackson
Singles: Chad Jackson
Club Pride and Congratulations
No matter the competition or potential ranking, Ashby Baggers wore their club shirts with pride, showing what an incredible, friendly, and competitive club we are. Congratulations to everyone for their fantastic performances and for representing the Ashby Baggers so well at the international level!
The Ashby Baggers are proud of our members’ performances and are excited to continue building on our success as we take on more tournaments in the future.
