News
Littlehampton held their Centenary GC Tournament on Sunday 10th May 2009. It was brilliantly organised by Lilian Holdsworth, supported by her husband, Michael, and many other club members too numerous to mention individually by name.
We were greeted on arrival and our every need was catered for. The courts were beautifully set out and looked great. The games, which we thoroughly enjoyed, were quite a challenge. After the morning session we all had a picnic lunch, beverages were offered throughout the day, and in the afternoon there was a magnificent celebratory tea.
The Littlehampton team was a close second.
The weather was kind to us and and we all had a really wonderful time. Congratulations to Lilian and the club for an excellent tournament.
David Gaitley beat runners-up Lawrence Whittaker and Daphne Gaitley and a field of 18 players to win the May Bank Holiday Advanced tournament.
Winner David Gaitley with the Reckitt Cup
Runners-up Daphne Gaitley and Lawrence Whittaker
Spectators at Southwick were treated to a fine display of excellent croquet by the finalists in this year's Sussex Salver yesterday, Stephen Mulliner, previous year's winner, and Jamie Burch who eventually triumphed 3-2.
More details and pictures to follow.
The format was an american block with each team playing a doubles and two singles games.
The results were:
| Sussex County | 1st place with 5 wins |
| Purley Bury / Royal Tunbridge Wells | Joint 2nd place with 3 wins |
| Littlehampton (two teams) | Joint 3rd place with 2 wins |
| Rother Valley | Enjoyed the day! |
SCCC hopes to repeat the occasion next year so if there are any comments on the event, please contact the club.
Photos of the event here.
Two members of SCCC were successfully in the CA Challenge and Gilbey Tournament which took place at the club ground this year.
Myra Gosney won the Reckitt Cup and John Low won the Council Cup. Both were unbeaten in their respective events.
On Saturday evening the Club hosted a French Dinner for players and guests.
Some pictures on the photo section of this site.
The August Tournament was completed yesterday, with 35 players in the 4 class singles events. Weather had been interesting at times (it's hail, not snow!).
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Photograph kindly provided by Margaret Russell.
The 2-day, 2-legged doubles event was won by Paul Castell and Marie Young who held their title from the previous year, beating Alan Theobald and John Geoghegan. 12 pairs took part, slightly up on last year. Paul Castell was also the Champion Peeler in the event.
The results on the class singles events:
The Abbey Challenge Cup was won by Jack Davies with 5/6 wins in the block. Both Paul Castell and Mark Fawcett ended with 4 wins apiece, with Paul being declared runner up on quality of wins.
The Scott Cup was won by Alan Mayne who beat Mary Knapp in the event final.
The Daldy Cup was won by Christine Constable with 4/4 wins in the block. Quiller Barrett, John Gosney and John Smallbone all had 2/4 wins, with John Gosney being declared runner up on quality of wins.
The handicap event ended with Nigel Wilson, Keith Slatter and Margaret Russell all on 4 wins, with the Monteith Bowl being won by Nigel Wilson on quality of wins.
Three CA merit awards were won during the tournament: Neil Coote and Paul Schofield both achieved the Silver Award and Margaret Russell achieved the Bronze Award.
Congratulations to all the winners!
Further pictures of the event can be found here.
Thinking ahead to next year, the Manager is considering making two proposals to the Sussex County Croquet Club for the handicap event, which proved a bit of a trial of endurance. The first suggestion is that only two games should be played on the Saturday. Of the players who expressed a preference, 5/7 wanted to continue with the current 3 games.
The second suggestion is to use a base of 10 for the event, so that nearly all players will have some bisques. All 4 players who expressed a preference, preferred to use base 10.
If any other handicap player wishes to communicate their view, please email the webmaster (webmaster@sussexcountycroquetclub.org.uk), who will pass them on.
The Castell Soda Syphons were won by Pat and Richard Jackson in a closely fought final against Myra Gosney and John Constable.
This is a new tournament, played as alternate stroke doubles, a format which Paul Castell has been championing for some time.
Thanks to Paul for organising and managing the weekend, as well as providing an unusual pair of trophies for the event.
The two-evening tournament had to be shortened to one evening, due to the torrential rain on the first day. As 8 members had signed up a knockout mini-tournament was played.
The bottle of wine was taken home by Paul Castell, who beat Jack Davies in the final 14-0. 3rd place went to Myra Gosney who slaughtered John Low 13-1 in the playoff.
It was good fun, so perhaps we should have someone like it once a month next season?