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GC Doubles one day competition 3 June 2023

A Block won by Chrissie Merrington & David King with 6 wins out of 6. The B Block was a tight affair with 4 teams on 4 wins but was won by Chris & Leslie Ardley on net hoops scored.

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Chrissie Merrington & David King
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Chris & Leslie Ardley

Thanks to Jonathan Isaacs for managing the event and to Angela Avis and Nira Scutt for organising the lunch.

Full results

A B&RC CM&DK FP&TJ S&AN SA&VL GT&RC MD&LG DL&SR Wins Position
Bob & Robyn Clarke 4 7 7 3 6 7 3 4
Chrissie Merrington & David King 7 7 7 7 7 7 6 1
Fiona Phillips & Tony Jolly 6 5 2 5 4 7 1 8
Sue & Anthony Nicholas 5 6 7 2 7 5 2 7
Simon Ancell & Vincent L'Estrange 6 7 7 6 4 4 2 5
Gavin Taylor & Richard Carline 7 5 7 3 7 7 4 3
Martin Daniels & Linda Gavigan 7 5 7 7 5 7 4 2
Diana Langridge & Sue Rice 3 5 6 7 7 6 2 6
B A&FF AB&FB FA&PG A&KN C&LA PB&RE PM&SC NDS&TBP Wins Position
Andrew & Fiona Fall 4 7 5 5 7 7 3 6
Anne Bolland & Fran Box 7 5 1 7 7 7 4 4
Francis Ainley & Paul Green 7 3 6 7 7 7 4 2
Adam & Karen Newbould 6 7 7 4 7 6 3 5
Chris & Les Ardley 7 7 7 6 6 7 4 1
Paul Brown & Richard Ellis 7 6 6 7 7 7 4 3
Pat Mecham & Sue Caulfield 4 5 1 3 3 5 0 8
Normada De Silva & Tim Broughton Pipkin 4 2 3 7 5 7 2 7


AC InterCounties 2023

The AC InterCounties was won by Middlesex. Sussex didn't do so well and was relagated. Never mind!

A big success for the club and a big thank you to everyone who helped in a very busy four days.

Some photos of the event, courtesy of Ray Hall.


Short Croquet Mini-Competition 2nd June 2023

12 players took part in a mini competition in AC Short Croquet format. Short Croquet is a recognised form of AC and is widely played in other parts of the UK, not so much in the South East. Being played on a half lawn it makes a transition from GC to AC easier as most shots are relatively short distance. In fact most participants were indeed originally GC players so it proved its worth in that respect. It is also only 14 points so each game takes a lot less time, allowing an AC tournament to be played in one day.

Three rounds were played in full and the fourth round only by those in contention (the chill wind for much of the day and the unfortunate need to double-bank half the games slowed the event down and detered others from playing the final round). Three of the four players ended round four with three wins but Robyn Clark was declared the winner on points scored.

Thanks to Frances Low for managing the competition, and for promoting Short Croquet at Southwick over the last two winters and bringing on a cadre of new AC converts.

Full results

Robyn Clark +7 John Low
Richard Ellis +6 Carol Collins
Nicholas Beard +8 Gerald O?Brien
Frances Low +5 Rosemary Faulkner
Martin Daniels +5 Caroline Barnard
Val Hitchens +6 Ann Beard
Robyn Clark +3 Gerald O?Brien
Richard Ellis +14 Ann Beard
Rosemary Faulkner +7 Martin Daniels
John Low +7 Caroline Barnard
Carol Collins +11 Nicholas Beard
Frances Low +1 Val Hitchens
Gerald O?Brien +14 Richard Ellis
Martin Daniels +5 John Low
Ann Beard +8 Rosemary Faulkner
Frances Low +1 Nicholas Beard
Robyn Clark +8 Val Hitchens
Caroline Barnard +1 Carol Collins
Martin Daniels +3 Robyn Clark
John Low +7 Richard Ellis

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GC Singles 13th May 2023 - 16/05/2023 19:26

GC Singles 13th May 2023

The One day GC singles tournament played on Saturday was split into three divisions. Division 1 was for players or handicap 2 and below was won by Morgan Case with six wins followed by Steve Chapman Neil and Jane Humphreys all with 5 wins. Division 2 with handicaps of 3 – 6 was run in two blocks of 6 with the winners of each block crossing over to play a final. Jill Richardson won Block B1 with 5 wins and Block B2 was won by Martin Daniels. Martin won the final.

Division 3 with handicaps of 7 and over was won by Konstantin Yudintsev with 5 wins out of 5 followed by David Comber and Rosemary Faulkner.

Thanks to Roger Sutton for managing the event and to the Catering Team of Chrissie Isaacs and Ann Stanton for the lunch.

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(Sorry Morgan and Konstantin, no photo of you) 

Full results

Block A MC BC JH NH CM AS SA SC Wins Position
Morgan Case 7 7 7 7 7 7 5 6 1
Bob Clark 5 6 4 7 7 4 7 3 5
Jane Humphreys 3 7 6 7 7 7 7 5 4
Neil Humphreys 3 7 7 7 7 7 4 5 3
Chrissie Merrington 6 4 6 4 7 1 5 1 8
Andrew Stewart 5 3 5 6 5 7 5 1 7
Simon Ancell 2 7 6 2 7 5 2 2 6
Steve Chapman 7 5 5 7 7 7 7 5 2
Block B 1 AG BH JR SN DD AH Wins Position
Alan Grundy 6 6 7 7 4 2 4
Beryl Hughes 7 5 7 7 6 3 3
Jill Richardson 7 7 7 7 7 5 1
Sue Nicholas 2 6 5 5 5 0 6
David Dickens 6 6 6 7 7 2 5
Andrea Huxley 7 7 4 7 5 3 2
Block B 2 MD TN DK PG DS FA Wins Position
Martin Daniels 7 7 7 7 4 4 1
Tony Nicholas 1 4 4 7 7 3 3
David King 5 7 2 6 3 1 6
Paul Green 4 3 7 7 7 3 2
Douglas Shand 4 6 7 3 7 2 4
Francis Ainley 7 2 7 3 4 2 5

Block B crossover

Martin Daniels  beat Jill Richardson 7-3
Paul Green beat Andrea Huxley 7-4
Tony Nicholas beat Beryl Hughes 7-1
David King beat Sue Nicholas 7-4
David Dickens beat Francis Ainley 7-5

Block C NB KY DC DL JM RF Wins Position
Nigel Bathe 3 5 7 7 5 2 4
Konstantin Yudintsev 7 7 7 7 7 5 1
David Comber 7 2 5 7 7 3 2
David Larkin 4 4 7 4 6 1 5
Jim Mander 3 6 2 7 6 1 6
Rosemary Faulkner 7 5 3 7 7 3 3

New Competition in AC

On Tuesday 9th May we ran a one day 14 point Handicap Tournament for our double handicap players. The idea of the tournament was to give  players experience in playing in a one day AC tournament as well supplying some useful tips from 2 Academy Coaches.

The tournament was played by 10 players over 4 games using a Swiss Format. Three players won 3 of their 4 games and once we took into account who beat whom, Bob Clarke was declared the winner, Steve Chapman 2nd and David Dickens 3rd.

The players appeared to enjoy the format and the club is considering running another tournament later in the season.


Jonathan Isaacs


AC Teams Weekend

Only 6 teams took part in this year's AC Teams Weekend over the 7th and 8th May. The weather proved to be rather better than the forecast, especially on the Monday which remained largely dry. Chilly both days for those sitting out and watching their opponents go round anyway!

Six teams meant a straightforward American block was played, giving five rounds and each round a match against another team.

By the end of the first day, two teams were tied neck and neck for first place: Reigate Priory and Medway having 5 wins each, far out in front of any other team.

Monday saw some closing of the gap, particularly by Sussex County who took both games in their match against Reigate, but by the end of the final game it was still Reigate Priory and Medway in front. Medway took the trophy with 8 wins to Reigate Priory's 7.

Thanks to Sussex County for hosting the event as usual.

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Full results

WINS 1 2 3 4 5 6 Wins Matches Position
Caterham 0 0 1 0 2 3 1 5
Guildford & Godalming 2 0 1 0 1 4 1 4
Medway 2 2 2 1 1 8 3 1
Purley Bury 1 1 0 0 1 3 0 6
Reigate Priory 2 2 1 2 0 7 3 2
Sussex County 0 1 1 1 2 5 1 3

NAME NAME
Caterham A +22 Sussex County A
Caterham B +6 Sussex County B
Guildford & Godalming A +8 Reigate Priory A
Guildford & Godalming B +1 Reigate Priory B
Medway A +9 Purley Bury A
Medway B +5 Purley Bury B
Caterham A +1 Reigate Priory A
Caterham B +3 Reigate Priory B
Sussex County A +3 Purley Bury A
Sussex County B +4 Purley Bury B
Guildford & Godalming A +4 Medway A
Guildford & Godalming B +9 Medway B
Caterham A +7 Purley Bury A
Caterham B +4 Purley Bury B
Reigate Priory A +3 Medway A
Reigate Priory B +1 Medway B
Sussex County A +3 Guildford & Godalming A
Sussex County B +13 Guildford & Godalming B
Caterham A +6 Medway A
Caterham B +1 Medway B
Purley Bury A +5 Guildford & Godalming A
Purley Bury B +5 Guildford & Godalming B
Reigate Priory A +4 Sussex County A
Reigate Priory B +18 Sussex County B
Caterham A +24 Guildford & Godalming A
Caterham B +18 Guildford & Godalming B
Medway A +6 Sussex County A
Medway B +1 Sussex County B
Purley Bury A +12 Reigate Priory A
Purley Bury B +6 Reigate Priory B

Some photos

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Block B has set a record by completing the block in one day and this early in the season.

The Competition Manager will be very pleased. Others, take note!!!


Sussex County B and C Level Tournaments 30th April 2023.

40 Players from across the country descended on Southwick to play in these Tournaments. 24 players had entered the B Level Tournament for those with a handicap of 3+ and 16 for the C Level Tournament for handicap 7+ . The Manager for both tournaments was Andrew Stewart.

The weather was kind to us until the latter part of the day when some April showers arrived. 

It was a very full day’s play for all the players.  They had to play in blocks for the first part of the day and then move on to knockout rounds.  Sussex County members were the eventual winners of both events.  John Low won the B Level Tournament beating Robert Cook from Cheam 7 – 2 in the final.  Paul Green won the C Level Tournament beating Sandy Grievson from Chester 7 -3. 

By winning, both John Low and Paul Green gain their Silver and Bronze Merit Awards.

Thanks to the catering team of Fran Box, Richard and Rachel Pointing, Jo Mander and Dinah Hutchins for providing a great lunch enjoyed by all.

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Full results

B Series

Block A ST PW DK RP BJ MD Wins Position
Simon Turner 3 7 5 7 3 2 5
Paul Wolff 7 7 6 6 7 3 2
David King 3 5 7 6 2 1 6
Richard Platt 7 7 5 2 7 3 3
Brian Jamieson 5 7 7 7 7 4 1
Martin Daniels 7 5 7 4 5 2 4
Block B PA SH AJ RC SN GO Wins Position
Peter Adams 5 6 5 7 2 1 6
Stephen Hayns 7 2 7 7 7 4 2
Andy Jones 7 7 2 7 7 4 1
Robyn Clark 7 6 7 6 5 2 3
Sue Nicholas 6 4 3 7 7 2 5
Gerald O'Brien 7 2 5 7 5 2 4
Block C TG AF RC DH IP PM Wins Position
Tom Grievson 7 5 7 7 7 4 1
Andrew Fall 6 6 7 5 7 2 4
Robert Cook 7 7 5 7 7 4 2
Debra Hayns 2 5 7 7 7 3 3
Izzy Poyntz 2 7 4 5 7 2 5
Patricia Mulcahy 5 3 3 4 6 0 6
Block D JT IR SD VL AL JL Wins Position
Julie Tremble 7 6 7 7 7 4 1
Ian Rees 3 7 4 7 4 2 5
Simon Draper 7 5 3 7 7 3 3
Vincent L'Estrange 2 7 7 3 3 2 4
Andrew Lockwood 5 6 5 7 4 1 6
John Low 4 7 5 7 7 3 2

Main Knockout

Quarter-Final Semi-Final Final Winner
Brian Jamieson John Low 7-4 John Low 7-6 John Low 7-2
John Low
Tom Grievson Tom Grievson 7-6
Stephen Hayns
Robert Cook Robert Cook 7-6 Robert Cook 7-6
Andy Jones
Paul Wolff Julie Tremble 7-5
Julie Tremble

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Shield Knockout

Semi-Final Final Winner
Brian Jamieson Brian Jamieson 7-3 Brian Jamieson 7-6
Stephen Hayns
Andy Jones

Bowl Knockout

Semi-Final Final Winner
Richard Platt Simon Draper 7-5 Simon Draper 7-6
Simon Draper
Debra Hayns Debra Hayns 7-3
Robyn Clark

Plate Knockout

Semi-Final Final Winner
Martin Daniels Vincent L'Estrange 7-2 Gerald O'Brien 7-5
Vincent L'Estrange
Andrew Fall Gerald O'Brien 7-3
Gerald O'Brien

15th-16th Playoff: Andrew Fall beat Martin Daniels 7-5

Saucer Knockout

Semi-Final Final Winner
Simon Turner Simon Turner 7-4 Simon Turner 7-2
Ian Rees
Izzy Poyntz Izzy Poyntz 7-3
Sue Nicholas

21st-24th Knockout

Semi-Final Final Winner
David King David King 7-2 Peter Adams 7-2
Andrew Lockwood
Patricia Mulcahy Pater Adams 7-4
Peter Adams

23rd - 24th Playoff: Andrew Lockwood beat Patricia Mulcahy 7-1

C Series

Block A FK PG SC RR Wins Position
Freda Knight 3 5 6 0 4
Paul Green 7 7 6 2 1
Sue Caulfield 7 3 7 2 2
Ruth Raunkiaer 7 7 1 2 3
Block B HB AJ NW JM Wins Position
Hilary Bird 6 7 5 1 4
Andrew Jackson 7 7 6 2 1
Nigel Wulcko 5 6 7 1 3
Jim Mander 7 7 4 2 2
Block C CJ SM SG FF Wins Position
Carol Jamieson 7 6 6 1 3
Steve Morton 1 6 6 0 4
Sandy Grievson 7 7 2 2 2
Fiona Fall 7 7 7 3 1
Block D PB JP KY DG Wins Position
Paul Brown 7 1 7 2 2
Judy Perry 2 6 3 0 4
Konstantin Yudintsev 7 7 7 3 1
David Grimshaw 5 7 4 1 3

Main Knockout

Quarter-Final Semi-Final Final Winner
Paul Green Paul Green 7-4 Paul Green 7-4 Paul Green 7-3
Paul Brown
Fiona Fall Fiona Fall 7-6
Jim Mander
Sandy Grievson Sandy Grievson 7-5 Sandy Grievson 7-5
Andrew Jackson
Sue Caulfield Konstantin Yudintsev 7-2
Konstantin Yudintsev

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3rd-4th Playoff: Fiona Fall beat Konstantin Yudintsev 7-0

Shield Knockout

Semi-Final Final Winner
Paul Brown Jim Mander 7-5 Andrew Jackson 7-5
Jim Mander
Andrew Jackson Andrew Jackson 7-6
Sue Caulfield

7th-8th Playoff: Paul Brown beat Sue Caulfield 7-4

Plate Knockout

Quarter-Final Semi-Final Final Winner
Ruth Raunkiaer Ruth Raunkiaer 7-4 Hilary Bird 7-5 Hilary Bird 7-6
Judy Perry
Carol Jamieson Hilary Bird 7-5
Hilary Bird
Steve Morton Nigel Wulcko 7-5 Nigel Wulcko 7-6
Nigel Wulcko
Freda Knight Freda Knight 7-4
David Grimshaw

Saucer Knockout

Semi-Final Final Winner
Judy Perry Judy Perry 7-3 (unplayed)
Carol Jamieson
Steve Morton Steve Morton 7-6
Dave Grimshaw

15th-16th Playoff: Carol Jamieson beat David Grimshaw 7-2

Some photos

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GC level doubles competition 28th April 2023

 Eighteen hardy pairs played in our GC level play tournament on 28 April and with Vincent as manager there was always the threat of rain. Sure enough, the day started with mizzle and a cold wind but we did enjoy some warm sunshine in the afternoon.

Three blocks of 6 played some keenly contested matches. In Block A, Andrea & Richard and David & Bob each won 4 games but the former shaded it by a margin of 3 net hoops.

Block B saw Jill & Douglas start their final match with the chance of a clean sweep but they narrowly lost to Paul & Francis. Nevertheless, they were clear winners with 4 wins and +10 net hoops.

In Block C, Paul & Konstantin did manage a clean sweep, winning all 5 games with a net hoop advantage of +10.

Congratulations to all our winners and many thanks to the catering team - Angela & Martin Avis, Jo Mander, Arthur Flatt and Linda Davies.

Thanks to the Manager Vincent L'Estrange for managing and providing a reporrt and photographs.

Full results

Block A DK&BC FP&TJ AH&RC AS&SN CH&LG FL&RC Wins Position
David King & Bob Clark 7 4 7 7 7 4 2
Fiona Phillips & Tony Jolly 5 3 7 6 5 1 6
Andrea Huxley & Richard Carline 7 7 4 7 7 4 1
Andrew Stewart & Sue Nicholas 3 4 7 3 7 2 5
Chris Heath & Linda Gavigan 5 7 4 7 5 2 4
Frances Low & Robyn Clark 6 7 5 5 7 2 3
Block B DS&JR DL&SR AB&FB LD&TJ DD&MD FA&PG Wins Position
Douglas Shand & Jill Richardson 7 7 7 7 6 4 1
Di Langridge & Sue Rice 1 4 2 6 7 1 6
Anne Bolland & Fran Box 4 7 7 5 7 3 2
Liz Drury & Tony James 6 7 5 7 4 2 4
David Dickins & Martin Daniels 6 7 7 6 7 3 3
Francis Ainley & Paul Green 7 6 4 7 6 2 5
Block C KY&PB RP&RP MF&PH NDS&TBP PM&SC VY&PG Wins Position
Konstantin Yudintsev & Paul Brown 7 7 7 7 7 5 1
Rachel Pointon & Richard Pointon 6 7 7 6 7 3 2
Margaret Funell & Pat Harden 2 3 7 4 4 1 6
Narmada De Silva & Tim Broughton Pipkin 6 6 6 7 7 2 4
Pat Mechen & Sue Caulfield 6 7 7 6 7 3 3
Victoria Yudintseva & Peter Goldsmith 4 2 7 3 5 1 5

Some photos

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Short Croquet Mini-competition 24th April 2023

The Short Croquet inaugural Alternate Stroke handicap doubles took place on 24th April. 16 players took part, 8 pairs so a good entry. There were 2 blocks and each block had 3 x 14 point games of 1 hour 20 mins. Block One was won by Bob and Robyn Clark with 3 wins, and Block Two was won by Frances Low and Martin Daniels with 3 wins. As time was short, we decided not to play a final so 2 block winners were declared!

Thanks to all the players, particularly those who have just started the game. I am of course grateful to the experienced players who helped and supported them. I hope we all learnt something!

Anyone interested in starting short croquet, please contact me. It is good fun, challenging and will give you access to many different shots which are useful in GC as well!

Frances Low (Manager) 

Thanks very much to Frances for managing the competition.

Full results

Block A 1 2 3 4 Wins Points Position
1. Robyn & Bob Clark 14 13 11 3 1
2. Julie Tremble & John Gosden 8 7 13 1 3
3. Pat M & Clive Hayton 5 14 8 1 + tie 2
4. Rosemary Faulkner & Jim Mander 6 6 8 tie 4
Block B 1 2 3 4 Wins Points Position
1. Frances Low & Martin Daniels 14 8 14 3 1
2. Sue Kilby & Morgan Case 6 6 4 0 4
3. Vincent L'Estrange & John Low 6 9 6 1 3
4. Richard Ellis & Paul Green 1 4 7 1 + tie 2

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Frances Low and Martin Daniels with prizes

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Bob and Robyn Clark