The 4 last news
GC Singles Friday 31st October 2025
On a blustery day all 24 players turned out despite the rather suspect forecast. With rain expected and lawns 1/2/3 ruled out resulting in double banking, the manager decided the best option was to play timed games of 55minute + 8 shots. This proved to be a sensible choice with heavy showers throughout the morning.
After lunch the weather improved and afternoon games where mostly played under blue sky and a moderate breeze.
Only 2 games across the 4 blocks ran out of time which makes one wonder if having a time limit focusses the mind somewhat!
Block A was won in style by Ben Harwood who won 4 out of his 5 games and also provided us with lawns in extraordinary condition going into the winter.
Block B winner was Robin Wootton who also won 4 of 5 games, narrowly missing out on a clean sheet with a 6:7 loss to Paul Green in his final game.
Block C was won with his usual enthusiasm by Michael Pudney from Chichester & Fishbourne, also on 4 wins out of 5.
Block D was a much closer run affair with 4 players each having 3 wins. Dena Howlett from Cheam won the block with +12 hoops, closely followed by Mark Barnham + 5 hoops, Tim Kent +3 hoops and Tim Weller, also from Cheam, with -1 hoop.
Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all for a very enjoyable day.
Linda Gavigan
And thanks to Linda for managing the event.
Full results
| Block A | LF | DS | BH | DD | RB | JI | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liz Farrow | 5 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 4 | |
| Douglas Shand | 7 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 2 | |
| Ben Harwood | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 1 | |
| David Dickins | 7 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | |
| Richard Brooks | 3 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 6 | |
| Jonathan Isaacs | 4 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 5 |
| Block B | TN | PG | BH | FA | RW | LM | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tony Nicholas | 5 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 5 | |
| Paul Green | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 3 | |
| Beryl Hughes | 7 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 4 | |
| Francis Ainley | 4 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 6 | |
| Robin Wootton | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 1 | |
| Laki Marangos | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 2 |
| Block C | SN | JL | RE | TB | MP | AD | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sue Nicholas | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 6 | |
| John Low | 7 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 5 | |
| Richard Ellis | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | |
| Tim Bick | 4 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 4 | |
| Michael Pudney | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 1 | |
| Alan Dickerson | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Block D | TM | TK | MB | TW | TE | DH | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tony Marjoram | 3 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 5 | |
| Tim Kent | 7 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 3 | |
| Mark Barnham | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 2 | |
| Timothy Weller | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 4 | |
| Trish Ellis | 2 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 6 | |
| Dena Howlett | 7 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 1 |
Club Competition Winners 2025
Association Croquet
| Winner | Runners Up | |
|---|---|---|
| Bush Cup | Tony Marjoram | Robyn Clark |
| Daldy Cup | Richard Ellis | David Gillett |
| D’Esterre Bowl | David Dickins | David Gillett |
| Franc Cup | Nigel Billingham | David Dickins |
| Freddy Reynold Cup | David Dickins | Ray Hall |
| Hazel Parker Salver (Short Croquet) |
Richard Ellis |
Rosemary Faulkner |
| Millennium Shield | Dominic Nunns | Phil Dunk |
| Moore Cup | Dominic Nunns | Paul Castell |
| New Challenge Cup | Not played | |
| Shine Salvers | Liz Farrow & Jonathan Isaacs | Pam & Gerald Gooders |
| Sussex Gold Cup | David Dickins | Jonathan Isaacs |
Golf Croquet
| Winners | Runners Up | |
|---|---|---|
| President’s Cup | Konstantin Yudintsev | Roger Sutton |
| Quaich Trophy | David Dickins | Dominic Nunns |
| Chairman’s Cup | Laki Marangos | Mark Barnham |
| Committee Cup | Susan Gale | Rosemary Wyld |
| Handicap Singles | Paul Griffiths | Jo Crosby |
| Handicap Doubles | Sue Kilby & Chris Baccarini | Alan Price & Jerry Key |
| Diana Brothers Drawn Pairs | Lesley Ardley & Peter Wyld | Roger Sutton & Tony Marjoram |
| Southwick Cup | Tony Marjoram | Tim Kent |
| Supervets (Dawson Cup) | Les Ardley | Angela Avis |
| GC Improvers Competition | Alan Price | Richard Stewart |
| GC Level Play Doubles Division 1 | Liz Farrow & Jonathan Isaacs | David Dickins & Steve Chapman |
| GC Level Play Doubles Division 2 | Francis & Will Ainley | Bob Clark & Sue Kilby |
| Victor Ludorum (AC) | David Dickins | |
| Victor Ludorum (GC) | Tony Marjoram | |
| Most Improved GC Player | Mark Barnham | |
|
Most Improved AC Player |
David Dickins | |
| Rookie of the Year | Chris Baccarini |
Awards ceremony and winners in pictures
Pictures courtesy of various members
The Awards Evening took place this year at the Shoreham Yacht Club (complete with Replica HMS Victory in the foyer).
All the winners present
Thanks to Fiona Phillips and Liz Farrow for organising the club competitions.
GC doubles competition, 18th October 2025
Saturday saw a disappointingly small field for our first off-season doubles tournament on a windy Autumn day. The Block of 6 pairs inevitably had a range of handicaps but everyone enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and the chance to play against those they wouldn't normally meet.
The day was dominated by Linda Gavigan & Simon Ancell and Sue Nicholas & Beryl Hughes who each won 4 games. In the final round Sue & Beryl needed to beat Linda & Simon by 5 hoops to win the day but could only manage a 7-6 victory. As a result, Linda & Simon were the overall winners with +17 net hoops against +14 for the runners up.
There was a notable 7-6 win for Clive Jones & Elizabeth Bell over Sue & Beryl.
Well done to all the players and congratulations to the winners.
Thanks to Vincent for managing the event.
Full results
| The Block | BH&SN | JM&FB | RW&PW | SG&AJ | LG&SA | CJ&EB | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beryl Hughes & Sue Nicholas | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 2 | |
| Jim Mander & Fran Box | 3 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 3 | |
| Rosemary Wyld & Peter Wyld | 1 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 6 | |
| Susan Gale & Angela Jones | 3 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 4 | |
| Linda Gavigan & Simon Ancell | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 1 | |
| Clive Jones & Elizabeth Bell | 7 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
Many congratulations to Jonathan Isaacs who has been elected President of Croquet England. Jonathan is of course our Club President and has a long history of service to Croquet England and before that to the Croquet Association. He previously chaired the CA's Council for two terms, leading the restructuring to form Croquet England during the second. Before that, he chaired the CA's Marketing Committee. In addition, he founded the Croquet Academy, pioneering the academy concept.
Many congratulations also to Angela Avis. Angela was recognised by Croquet England for her amazing work as part of the leadership of our catering, her contribution to the club and her efforts on behalf of the Alzheimer's Society.