Still one event to go (The Christmas GC Doubles on the 30th December - two places left!) but the Club Christmas Lunch was a good way to (nearly) finish. The canteen was filled with two rows of tables (better than three as we have had sometimes in the past) and the result was a colourful and enjoyable meal.
Thanks to Fran Box, a raffle took place between main course and pudding and there was a succession of prize winners visiting the prizes table.
The main event, the three course meal, was unsurpassed: lovely soup choices for starters, followed by Turkey or Ottolenghi’s Mustardy Cauliflower Cheese and choice of puddings. All excellent - your correspondent had extra helpings to make sure!
Club get togethers with meals like this couldn't happen without the expertise and dedication of our members who take on the huge task of preparation and cooking: the Working Party decorated the Canteen the Tuesday beforehand and prepared the furniture; all the food had to be bought and stored; a whole team was present on Saturday to do laying of tables and preparing the food and again on Sunday for the final stages of cooking, presentation and serving (and clearing up afterwards). A huge thank you to everyone involved.
Compliments of the Season to all Club members and best wishes for 2023.
Next season's programme of courses is now available on the Academy website and course are open for bookings.
After a lot of rain and squally winds this week, players in today's competition found they could ditch the scarves and coats and play most of the day in very pleasant sunshine.
As usual, play was in three separate blocks. Congratulations to Richard Brooks who won the A Block, winning all of his 6 games; to Ian Stewart who won the B Block with 4 out of 5 wins; and to Graham Tucker who won all his games in the C Block.
Thanks to Fiona for managing the competition and to Rachel and Richard Pointon for providing the lunch.
Block A | RB | IC | LF | JH | TJ | NH | CM | CH | Wins | Position |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Richard Brooks | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 1 | ||
Ian Cobbold | 6 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 4 | ||
Liz Farrow | 4 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 3 | ||
Jane Humphreys | 6 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 8 | ||
Tony Jolly | 3 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 2 | ||
Neil Humphreys | 1 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 7 | ||
Chrissie Merrington | 4 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 6 | ||
Chris Heath | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 5 |
Block B | AS | JP | Jl | FL | JR | DS | DK | AG | Wins | Position |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Andrew Stewart | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 1 | |||
Jane Powell | 2 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 4 | |||
John Low | 4 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 7 | |||
Frances Low | 5 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 5 | |||
Jill Richardson | 3 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 8 | |||
Douglas Shand | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 2 | |||
David King | 5 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | |||
Alan Grundy | 7 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
Block C | VL | FA | GT | MD | LG | RE | TE | SC | Wins | Position |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vincent L'Estrange | 7 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 6 | |||
Francis Ainley | 6 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | |||
Graham Tucker | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 1 | |||
Martin Daniels | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 2 | |||
Linda Gavigan | 7 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 4 | |||
Richard Ellis | 6 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 5 | |||
Trish Ellis | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 8 | |||
Susan Caulfield | 7 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 7 |
Following from an earlier editorial on this subject, CLICK here to read a view from Bill Arliss
You can read:
This week a fairly clever email has been sent to some of our club addresses:
There is no reason for anyone other than the website administrator to receive any email purporting to come from Ionos, 1and1 or 1und1 (old company names for our internet provider) so if you do, it is a SCAM and should be deleted.
As you can see there is a big blue button to click and this will add your details to a verified list of email addresses and will result in more spam for you and a payment to the website - which is in Russia in this case.
Players do occasionally forget they have entered a competition so it is useful to be able to check what you have entered. That has always been possible with the Club's open one-day competitions but the feature has been improved: you can now look at a specific competition or (a new and trial feature) you can see all your competition entries in one list. Both these can be found here, which is in the menu Play croquet - Open competitions - One-day competitions - Check one-day competition entries.
If you are on a reserve list (these competitions are popular) it will tell you where you are in the queue. If you don't want to be on the reserve list, please email opentournaments@sussexcountycroquetclub.org.uk to withdraw.
Please note that this only covers one day competitions; if you are looking to see what CA advertised competitions you have entered you must use the CA website; all entries for internal club competitions which are open to entry can be seen on this page.
Three blocks based on handicap competed separately. Block A was won by Beryl Hughes and Gavin Taylor with 4 out of 6 wins; Block B was won by Elizabeth Drury and Tony James with 4 out of 5 wins; and Block C was won by Fran Box and Anne Bolland with 4 out of 5 wins.
Thanks to Frances Low for managing the event, to Richard Brooks for being RoT, to Roger Sutton for assisting the Manager and to Rachel and Richard Pointon for preparing the lunch.
Block A | TJ&FP | AS&CK | RB&DK | T&SN | JP&BG | CM&NG | CH&LG | GT&BH | Wins | Position |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tony Jolly & Fiona Phillips | 3 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 6 | ||
Andrew Stewart & Cathy Kirkby | 7 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 5 | ||
Richard Brooks & David KIng | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 4 | ||
Tony & Sue Nicholas | 3 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 7 | ||
Jane Powell & Bridget Goodman | 7 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 3 | ||
Chrissie Merrington & Noel Gill | 5 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 2 | ||
Chris Heath & Linda Gavigan | 6 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 8 | ||
Gavin Taylor & Beryl Hughes | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 1 |
Block B | DL&SR | JR&DS | TJ&ED | PA&HB | LT&AS | SC&PM | Wins | Position |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Di Langridge & Sue Rice | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | |
Jill Richardson & Douglas Shand | 7 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 4 | |
Tony James & Elizabeth Drury | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 1 | |
Peter Adams & Hilary Bird | 4 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 5 | |
Louise Taylor & Alan Sugarman | 4 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 6 | |
Steve Chapman & Pat Mechen | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 3 |
Block C | FA&IJ | RG&LP | R&TE | VL&AG | FB&AB | FL&KH | Wins | Position |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Francis Ainley & Ian Johnson | 7 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | |
Rosemary Gebhardt & Linda Pini | 1 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 3 | |
Richard & Trish Ellis | 7 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 5 | |
Vincent L'Estrange & Anne Gill | 7 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 4 | |
Fran Box & Anne Bolland | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 1 | |
Frances Low & Ken Hughes | 3 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 6 |
Winners | Runners Up | |
---|---|---|
Bush Cup | Richard Ellis | Chris Heath |
Daldy Cup | Bruce Carr | Robin Wootton |
D’Esterre Bowl | John Low | Deborah Marcus |
Franc Cup | Anne Bolland | Bruce Carr |
Freddy Reynold Cup | Alan Cottle | Pam Gooders |
Hazel Parker Salver (Short Croquet) |
Chris Heath | Robyn Clark |
Millennium Shield | Paul Castell | Liz Farrow |
Moore Cup | Tudor Jenkins | Paul Castell |
New Challenge Cup | Deborah Marcus | Anne Bolland |
Shine Salvers | Liz Farrow & Simon Fenn-Tye | Frances & John Low |
Sussex Gold Cup | Paul Castell | Dominic Nunns |
Winners | Runners Up | |
---|---|---|
President’s Cup | Richard Brooks | Liz Farrow |
Chairman’s Cup | Fiona Phillips | David King |
Committee Cup | Anne Gill | Angela Avis |
Handicap Singles | Nira Scutt | Simon Fenn-Tye |
Handicap Doubles | Liz Farrow & Simon Fenn-Tye | Morgan Case & Rosemary Faulkne |
Diana Brothers Drawn Pairs | Graham Tucker & Fran Box | Roger Sutton & Mike Stanton |
Quaich Trophy | Dominic Nunns | Morgan Case |
Southwick Cup | Christine Ardley | Rachel Pointon |
Supervets (Dawson Cup) | Christine Ardley | Gerald Gooders |
GC Improvers Competition | Simon Fenn-Tye | Vincent L'Estrange |
GC Level Play Doubles Division 1 | Liz Farrow & Jonathan Isaacs | Di Langridge & Paul Castell |
GC Level Play Doubles Division 2 | Robyn Clark & Di Langridge | Jenny & Roger Sutton |
Victor Ludorum (AC) | Paul Castell | |
Victor Ludorum (GC) | Simon Ancell | |
Most Improved GC Player | shared by Simon Ancell and Simon Fenn-tye | |
Most Improved AC Player |
Simon Fenn-Tye | |
Rookie of the Year | Paul Green |
Pictures courtesy of John Low, Liz Farrow and Ray Hall
The trophy haul
The Winners
Paul Castell had another excellent season, winning the Millenium Shield and the Sussex Goild Cup, as well as reaching the final in the Moore Cup. He was also AC Victor Ludorum.
Simon Fenn-Tye was a major winner this season
Not all winners were at the ceremony. Many thanks to Graham Tucker for organising the competitions and the presentations and to Chrissie Isaacs and her team for the excellent dinner.
This match, which I think was the last of the Club finals to be played this season, took place on the morning of Sunday 23rd October.
In spite of the gloomy weather forecast the contestants, Dominic Nunns and Morgan Case agreed to go ahead with this rescheduled event. A postponement had been needed owing to Dom falling victim to Covid recently. This meant to ensure everything was completed before the presentation evening next Friday, Dom had two finals to fit in over the weekend. Having been unsuccessful in his AC Gold Cup match yesterday against Paul Castell, was Sunday going to reward him?
As previously arranged with the Competitions Organiser Graham, I was to be the on call referee of this final.
We had a slight delay to the start time when Morgan’s train from Hove was cancelled. After being contacted Dom kindly diverted on his way from Burgess Hill to pick up Morgan at Hove station. It was dry and overcast at the start. A heavy downpour half way through the first game caused an interruption in play for a few minutes but we were soon able to continue and the match finished in bright sunshine.
The croquet was to a high standard from both players who produced an entertaining spectacle worthy of a final. It was a shame there weren’t more spectators to witness the precision clearing, hoop running and good tactics on display.
Game 1 was level at 3-3 then Dom edged ahead to win it 7-4
Game 2 followed a similar pattern this time level at 4-4 before Dom was able get ahead to win 7-4.
The games were closer than the final score line suggest and Morgan can be proud of his efforts. In my opinion Dom’s advantage came from his ability to clear a considerable distance whilst advancing his own ball towards the next hoop on more occasions than Morgan.
As referee I was only called upon once, to clarify the options available after a wrong ball had been played.
Well done to both players I really enjoyed the morning as the referee and sole spectator!
Match report by
Richard Brooks
Congratulations to Tony Jolly, David King and Martin Daniels for winning the three blocks in the GC one day competition. Thanks to Vincent L'Estrange for managing it and to Karen Hayton and Anne Stanton for the lunch.
Block A | RB | LF | MH | MC | TJ | CM | JI | CH | Wins | Position |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Richard Brooks | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 2 | ||
Liz Farrow | 5 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 7 | ||
Mark Hamilton | 4 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 3 | ||
Morgan Case | 6 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 5 | ||
Tony Jolly | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 1 | ||
Chrissie Merrington | 5 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 4 | ||
Jonathan Isaacs | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 8 | ||
Chris Heath | 7 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 6 |
Tony Jolly, Block A winner
Block B | FL | AS | SA | BG | JL | DK | SC | VL | Wins | Position |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Frances Low | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 6 | ||
Andrew Stewart | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 8 | ||
Simon Ancell | 5 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 3 | ||
Bridget Goodman | 6 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 7 | ||
John Low | 7 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 4 | ||
David King | 7 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 1 | ||
Steve Chapman | 7 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 2 | ||
Vincent L'Estrange | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 5 |
David King, Block B winner
Block C | PH | AG | JR | DS | MD | KY | PG | RR | Wins | Position |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Phil Harrison | 4 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 6 | ||
Alan Grundy | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 3 | ||
Jill Richardson | 7 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 4 | ||
Douglas Shand | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 2 | ||
Martin Daniels | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 1 | ||
Konstantin Yudintsev | 7 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 7 | ||
Paul Green | 7 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 5 | ||
Richard Relf | 1 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 8 |
Vincent L'Estrange, Manager
No money earned from Betfred for the Club! Mark is here because he was able to play as it's a Saturday. More of these competitions at the weekend was the request of a good number of players - calendar organisers, please note!