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Sussex pipped by Phyllis Court in Federation Shield - 21/09/2021 10:35

SCCC lose 3-4 in a tense Final of the CA GC Federation Shield

In a very tense, close finish, SCCC were pipped to the post by Phyllis Court 3-4, in the Final of the CA GC Federation Shield at Henley-on-Thames on Thursday 16 September.

Facing a strong home team who lined up with three players on minus 2 handicap (Chris Roberts, Roger Goldring – who had won the CA GC National Handicap Championship just 5 days earlier - & Ian Norris) and Raghu Iyer (3), SCCC expected a tough day. SCCC brought in Roger Sutton (-1), in place of Simon Ancell who was away, to join Tony Jolly (2), David King (3) & Linda Gavigan (7). How would the handicap differences and the extra turns pan out?

After an early departure, heavy traffic and blocked lanes had hindered both SCCC cars on the journey, meaning a delayed start. In the morning doubles, Tony Jolly & David King held off the challenge from Roger Goldring & Raghu Iyer to win 7-4, 7-4. In the singles Linda Gavigan , with 9 extra turns, faced the vastly experienced Chris Roberts. Chris used his experience to win the first game by 7-5, but Linda battled back hard with great determination to take the second 7-4. In the other singles Ian Norris had taken the advantage in the first game 7-5, before Roger S fought back to take the second by 7-5. With these two matches in the balance, the pre-booked lunch break was taken with the matches to be completed if necessary.

Play restarted with the afternoon singles matches, with the sound of James Blunt rehearsing for the Henley Festival reverberating across the river. First result decided was Tony pulling off a fine 2-0 win (7-6, 7-4) against Roger G. Next was David winning a 3 game battle after narrowly losing the first at the golden hoop (6-7, 7-4, 7-3) against Ian, to give SCCC a 3-0 lead in completed matches. At that stage the other two matches were still in their second game, Roger a game down to Chris (5-7), and Linda a game up with Raghu (7-5). In those second games, Chris beat Roger 7-6 to win their match 2-0, while Raghu had fought back to win 7-6 against Linda, so levelling their match at 1-1. An hour or so later, unfortunately that game had also gone in favour of Phyllis Court, with the 3rd game won by Raghu (7-3) leaving the overall match score at 3-2 to SCCC. So it was back to the outstanding decider games in both unfinished matches.

A hardy bunch of home supporters had been watching the match with growing interest, and despite the time passing 5.30 and the temperature beginning to drop, showed no sign of leaving. Roger fought hard against Ian, but despite a very tough fight and some good clearances, went down 3-7. This left a weary Linda fighting for her life against Chris, who was really relying on his experience to keep in the game. Even when some very good play eased him into a lead, Linda took advantage of her extra turns to pull herself back to 5-6 before a very relieved Chris took the 12th hoop to win 7-5 and seal the match for Phyllis Court.

The hosts lifted the trophy after this very tough encounter, but the spectators were clearly equally appreciative of the competitive and good play of both teams. A disappointed SCCC team headed for the journey home and the end of what was a very long day.

Report by David King

SCCC results in Federation GC handicap League - 21/09/2021 10:32

South East Croquet Federation - GC Handicap League (West)

The Club participated in the GC Handicap League (West)
run by the SECF. The draw included matches against Compton, Guildford & Godalming B, Hassocks (withdrew) and West Worthing. Each team comprised 4 players with 3 rounds played - Round 1 (2 Doubles), Round 2 (4 Singles) and Round 3 (1 Doubles and 2 Singles).
Games were best of 13 points with extra turns allocated against player handicaps. The matches were played between July and September.

The Club performed reasonably well with very narrow
4 - 5 losses against West Worthing and Guildford & Godalming B. Our best was saved for the last match when we beat Compton 7 - 2.

Thanks to Sandra Towner (+9), Francis Ainley (+8), Mike
Akester (+6), Nigel Barton (+6) and Phil Harrison (+5) who represented The Club during the campaign.

Phil Harrison

GC competition on 24th September postponed - 18/09/2021 17:37

As a mark of respect at the news on Jane Rimmington's death we are postponing this tournament.

Further news in due course.

SCCC GC Open Championship - 14/09/2021 17:27

SCCC GC Open Championship

The Championship was won by the Manager, Tudor Jenkins.

The Webmaster is on holiday so further details will have to await his return!

SCCC beat Reigate Priory 7-0 in the SECF "R" League. - 10/09/2021 22:52

SCCC beat Reigate Priory 7-0 in the SECF "R" League.

SCCC followed up their two previous 6-1 victories with a convincing 7-0 win against Reigate Priory at Southwick (Fri 9 Sept). The SCCC team was Tony Jolly (2), Andrew Fall (3), Phil Harrison (5) and Graham Tucker (6)

In the morning doubles, Tony & Andrew took on John Bristow (2) and Phil Davies (3). Tony & Andrew won the first game 7-5, and went 5-1 up in the second, but John & Phil D made a great comeback to take the game 5-7 and level the match. SCCC got ahead in the third and at 6-3 up Andrew took a hard hit shot from 17 yards that struck the upright very hard, spun into the jaws and trickled through the hoop to clinch the match. Both singles also went SCCC's way, with Phil H beating Lorna Jenkins (9) 2-0, and Graham beating Freda Knight (7) by the same score.

After the lunch break, SCCC continued as before with 2-0 wins for Andrew against Phil Davies, Phil H against Freda, and Graham, in his first competitive match since returning from NZ, against Lorna. Andrew was pleased to avenge previous defeats to Phil D this season. Meanwhile Tony and John were still battling away in their match, for their second decider of the day, after Tony took the first game 7-4 and John the second 5-7. This final game went to the wire, with Tony managing to squeeze through by 7-6, to give SCCC a clean sweep.

One match remains for SCCC in this League, a difficult away match at Ealing.

Report by David King

SCCC reach Final of CA GC Federations Shield - 02/09/2021 21:51

SCCC reach Final of CA GC Federations Shield

SCCC followed up their win against Broadwas, with another good win in a close handicap match (2 Sept) against Crake Valley (Lake District) by 3-2 in the Semi-Final of the CA GC Federations Shield, where they will now travel to play Phylis Court in the Final.

In order to schedule the game, despite the distance between the teams, the clubs had agreed to play the match with 3 players a side, rather than the usual 4. Crake Valleys's captain, David Cornes, was already coming to Sussex to play in the B Level Final at Eastbourne on 4th & 5th Sept supported by 2 team mates, so agreed to play here while in Sussex.

In the morning games, Linda Gavigan (7) fought hard to beat Frank Sharps (5) 7-6, 7-6, while Tony Jolly (2) and Simon Ancell (6) lost a close encounter to David Cornes (1) & Sandra Cornes (6) 7-3, 5-7, 6-7, .to break off with a 1 - 1 scoreline.

After a pleasant, light lunch and a friendly chat, play resumed with the remaining 3 singles matches. Tony Jolly gained some revenge for his doubles loss, by holding on to beat David Cornes, 7-4 7-5 , while Linda Gavigan lost out to Sandra Cornes 3-7, 5-7. As these two games ended, with the match result delicately poised at 2-2, Simon was still battling with Frank - Simon had won the first game 7-5, but Frank was fighting back in the second and at 6-6 the possibility of a final deciding game loomed, but Simon held his nerve on the golden hoop to win 7-6.

Congratulations to the team for another good performance.