Continuing our interview with Jonathan Isaacs
One of the the issues that those of us who've been around croquet a bit longer can't have fail to notice is the loss of AC play and the takeover really by GC. do you see this as a way that you're going to be able to regain a lot of lost players?
Yes, I think it's probably best to start with GC because that's easy to learn and it gets the basic strokes. But I think the interesting thing with AC is a comment that I've heard a lot of times recently from GC players who have taken up AC and I've had the quote made to me at Southwick twice in the last two weeks: learning AC has certainly helped my GC.
So I think the two work in tandem and I love playing both personally and I'm hoping that going forward that the two can both grow.
Do you see the role of Short Croquet in this as an introduction to AC or as a game in its own right?
Both definitely. In the North of England, Short Croquet is quite strong. And one of the reasons for this is that it's a quicker game; it’s a 14 point game. It means we can hold tournaments like we are to a certain extent now with 14 point on full lawns. But in the north it's attracting a lot of attention and a lot of play and I believe that we could set up hub clubs around the Federation to create a full Short Croquet program. It will take time but the start will be this year.
The 2 last news
Skittles Evening
Thanks very much to Fran Box for organising a very successful and enjoyable Skittles and Fish & Chips evening.
Purley Bury wins trophy
Eight teams again took part in this competition but, unlike last year, the weather was pleasant with only spits and spots of rain on Saturday and warm sunshine most of Sunday.
This year we reverted to the normal Swiss format of play so fine rounds were achieved over the two days.
By the end of Saturday and the first three rounds, Reigate Priory was in the lead with 5 wins, away from Cheam, Guildford & Godalming and Purley Bury, all with four wins each.
Sunday morning saw Reigate Priory falter somewhat, their B team losing to Purley Bury, but still in the lead by one win. The final round pitched Reigate Priory A against Purley Bury A at the lop of the Swiss ladder, a match which went down to the wire, being won +1 on time by Purley Bury.
The Sussex lawns played well and it was just a shame we were unable to attract more clubs to enter a team for this event which is one of the very few where you see a wide range of playing ability in the same competition.
Thanks to Clive Hayton and Richard Pointon for managing the bar and to Karen Hayton, Sue Gale, Pat Harden and Rachel Pointon for the lunches.
Purley Bury Team Captain with Jonathan Isaacs presenting the trophy