AC 14pt Competition 12 May 2024

A small event was held today. Unfortunately the handicap division had to be cancelled for lack of entries but the advanced division did take place, albeit at the lower limit of numbers. It's a shame more of our AC players don't take part as it's an enjoyable format, with the whole thing over in one day.

Eight players took part and played in two blocks of four, three rounds followed by crossover games to determine the overall winner. Block A was won by John Daniels and Block B by John Low who both won all their block games. The final was a rather more one-sided affair; John Daniels took his first ball round to pag and made a good contact leave. John Low attempted to get ball into play but failed to make headway. He had one further chance on the second ball but the game finished 14-0. So it goes!

Three of our new AC players took part: Steve Chapman (not so new really), David Dickins and Nigel Billingham. Both David and Nigel have handicaps on paprer that should have been out of range but they are both keen to get to grips with advanced play and said they very much enjoyed the experience.

Congratulations to John Daniels for winning his super prize (see picture!)

Full results

In the crossover games:

Nigel Billingham beat David Dickins +4
Chrissie Marrington beat Ray Hall +7
John Daniels beat John Low +14

Sussex County GC Doubles Competition 10^th May 2024

Manager Andrew Stewart has sent a report on the day's play:

The GC Double Competition on 10^th May attracted 24 pairs which were then divided into 4 blocks. It was a perfect day at Southwick with the lawns looking magnificent and the temperature rising to levels we have not seen before this year.

Everyone seemed to enjoy the day in the bright sunshine and there were some very close results with some of the blocks decided on net hoops. One block went even further with wins and net hoops equal the winner had to be decided on who beat who.

In the end the winners of Block A were Brian Aikens and Ivan Segal with a clean sweep of 5 wins. This was a bitter sweet moment as Ivan had decided this was to be his last competitive tournament. So he went out on a high.

Block B was won by David Dickens and Rosemay Faulkner. Block C by Paul Brown and Ray Hall and Block D by Peter and Rosemary Wyld.

Thanks to the catering team of Pat and Jo who did a great job.

And thanks to Andrew for managing the event.

Brian Aikens and Ivan Segal with Manager Andrew Stewart

Rosemary Faulkner & David Dickins

Paul Brown & Ray Hall

Rosemary & Peter Wyld

Full results

The handicap section is cancelled as no longer enough players.

The advanced section is taking place as expected .

Croquet SouthEast AC Teams Doubles Competition 2024

The Sussex County B team of Jonathan Isaacs, Robyn Clark, Jamie Angus and Nigel Billingham won the Federation AC Teams competiton held on 5th May at Southwick.

They narrowly beat Caterham as both teams ended the day on 6 wins and one tie. Sussex County B team's win was effectively down to trouncing Sussex County A team 14-0 (play was 14pts handicap to a base of 6) in their second round encounter. No hard feelings I hope!

Sussex County B & C Level Tournaments Sunday 28th April

On Sunday 28th April Sussex County hosted two of the series of these tournaments which are played at various locations across the country leading to a National Final later in the year.

The B Series is for players with handicaps of 3+ and the C Series for players with a handicap of 7+. There were 24 players competing in the B Series and 16 in the C Series. The format for both tournaments was block play followed by knockouts.

The idea was that all the club’s lawns would be in action with double banking throughout. Unfortunately the weather intervened with heavy rain the day before and into the night. Some lawns were unplayable and so the decision had to be taken to restrict play in the blocks to the best of 7 hoops although conditions improved later in the day to allow the knockouts to be 13 point games. No jumping was allowed.

Despite the problems everybody still seemed to enjoy the day helped by the excellent lunch provided by Angela and her catering team.

In the end the B Series event was won by Douglas Shand (Guildford) who beat Konstantin Yudinstev (Rottingdean & Sussex County) in the final 7 – 5. Third place was taken by Tony Nicholas (Cheam) beating Jill Richardson (Rother Valley) 7 – 6).

As for the C Series this was won by Michael Marcel (Phyllis Court) who beat Fiona Fall (Compton) 7 – 3. In third place was Hilary Bird (Guildford) who beat Truida Trevere (Dulwich) 7-3.

Andrew Stewart - Tournament Manager.

Thanks to Andrew for managing these two tournaments in difficult conditions.

B Series Winner Douglas Shand

C Series Winner Michael Marcel

Full results

B Series

Main Knockout 

3rd - 4th place playoff: Anthony Nicholson beat Jill Richardson 7-6

Shield Knockout 

7th - 8th place playoff: Vincent L'Estrange beat Beryl Hughes 7-6

Bowl Knockout

11th - 12 place playoff: Robyn Clark beat Gerald O'Brien 7-5

Plate Knockout

15th - 16th place playoff: Sue Nicholas beat Linda Gavigan 7-5

Saucer Knockout

19th - 20th place playoff:  Patricia Mulcahy beat Paul Rockall 7-5

21st - 24th playoff

C Series

 Main Knockout

 3rd - 4th place playoff: Hilary Bird beat Truida Travere 7-3

Shield Knockout

7th - 8th place playoff: Ken Hughes beat Andy Barker 7-2

 Plate knockout

 11th - 12th place playoff: Paul Griffiths beat Clare Rockall 7-3

Saucer Knockout

15th - 16th place playoff: Angela Barker beat Stella Dutton 7-3 

Some pictures

Waiting to start play

Good for ducks but not croquet

Manager Andrew Stewart

Douglas Shand playing the winning hoop

Alternate Stroke Doubles AC Competition 26th April 2024

A report from Manager Frances Low:

The Alternate Stroke Doubles AC competition held on 26th April attracted 16 people. A good response including players of beginner status, and top world status.

A miserable, cold day but plenty of good croquet and 'fun'! Thanks to Steve and Mike for an endless supply of jokes and entertainment! And to everyone who made it a friendly tournament.

The two blocks had very close results but in the end the block A was won by Kathy McColgan and John Low, and block B by Gabrielle Higgins and David Dickins. The final was very closely contested and included Kathy and John having one ball pegged out! They recovered well but David and Gabrielle won by 14-12.

Many thanks to all who played and supported this event. It was an enjoyable if freezing day! I hope the 4  Surbiton Ladies enjoyed themselves. They always bring legendary picnics with wine of course!

Thanks to Gabrielle for her kind words, and to those players who felt the time allowed was too tight. I will make it 1h 30mins next time!

We will be holding another ASD on 15th August and there are many other AC events at Southwick to enter. All open to new and experienced players. Come and join us!!

Thanks to Frances for managing the event. In her vote of thanks Gabrielle also thanked Frances for all the work and effort she has put in during the last few years to bring on new AC croquet players through her short croquet programme.

Full results

Final Round

Gabrielle Higgins & David Dickins beat KathyMcColgan & John Low 14-12
Ray Hall & Andrew Baxter beat Trish & Richard Ellis 8-7
Johanna Duffy & Lavinia von Kesmark beat Steve Chapman & Mike Akester 9-8
Rosemary Faulkner & Frances Low beat Val Hitchens & Carol Collins 9-6

Chris Rolph wins the Lord Hougon Trophy second winter competition

The Lord Hamilton of Hougon Trophy is not a formal club competition but an invitation event held over the winter season by a group of members keen (or mad enough?) to play some AC over the winter. After all, who doesn't like sitting in a freezing lawnside shed while the opposition makes a break?

The first season was won by David Gillett and this year was the turn of Chris Rolph.

Pictures of the whole group and this year's winner being presented by the trophy's donor.

Full results

GC one day singles competition 20th April 2024

38 players took to the lawns today in the first GC singles one day competition of the new season. They were divided into 6 blocks in 3 divisions. There was the possibility of a cross block playoff in each division but this was not requested by the players who mainly felt the five games was sufficient.

In Division 1 Block A was won by Steve Chapman and Block B by Peter Dowd.

In Division 2 Block C was won by Simon Fenn-Tye and Block D by Beryl Hughes.

In Division 3 Block E was won by Sue Nicholas and Block F by Ray Hall.

Thanks to Linda for managing the event and to Angela and Martin Avis for providing the excellent lunch.

Full results

Half day GC Singles Competition 17 April 2024

Thanks to Manager Vincent L'Estrange for running this event. He reports:

On a cold but mostly rain-free day 28 players enjoyed another of our new half day tournaments in seven blocks of 4. It was lovely to see a mix of regulars, new members and, ahem, older members who haven't played much competitive croquet in recent years.

Block A was won by Konstantin after a count back. He, Roger and Daphne each won 2 games with a net +5 hoop difference. They had each beaten one of the other 2 but Konstantin scored 20 hoops, Roger 19 and Daphne 18. Very close.

In Block B Tony Nicholas won all three and in Block C Jim Mander with 2 wins net +5 narrowly beat Alan Grundy, 2 wins +3.

Block D was won comfortably by Les Ardley with 3 wins and + 13 hoops. It was closer in Block E, with Paul Brown and Joanne Crosby each winning 2 games but Paul prevailed with +4 hoops against Joanne's +3. Do let Paul know if you see his chocolates scattered around the car park.

One of our newer members, Angela Jones, was in top form in Block F, winning all three games with +10 hoops. Pat Mechen and Susan Gale each won 2 games in Block G but Pat was the clear winner with +10 hoops.

Thank you all for playing and to Linda G for a delicious ginger cake. Congratulations to all the winners.

Block A: Konstantin Yudintsev

Block B: Tony Nicholas

Block C: Jim Mander

Block D: Les Ardley

Block E: Paul Brown

Block F: Angela Jones

Block G: Pat Mechen

Full results

Some Pictures

Clubhouse Project News

 Adur District Council has granted planning permission for our clubhouse refurbishment project.

We will now work towards finding a builder to help us turn the plans into reality.

I am also very pleased indeed to tell you that our fund-raising efforts have received a tremendous boost from a substantial bequest to the club from the estate of Mrs Eleanor Rushby.

Many of you will have known Jeff Rushby but for those of you who didn't:

Jeff Rushby was a keen AC player, who played in CA and local tournaments well into his late eighties. He also played at Caterham, which was near where he lived. Jeff was keen to encourage AC and helped several beginners to learn the game and improve.

He won three trophies at Southwick over the years:  the New Challenge Cup and the Shine Salvers twice (once with the late Bruce Carr) and the D'Esterre Bowl once.

He was very skilled at making wooden pieces, some of which can be seen around the club such as the small wheelbarrow, used as a planter which sits by the flowerbed outside the veranda room.

Jeff died in 2020 and the legacy has come from the estate of his wife, Eleanor.

Eleanor was known to some of our members. Chris Constable remembers that a few years ago (15 to 20 maybe?) Sussex County sent a team for a match against Carrickmines  in Eire. We flew out and stayed at the Killiney Castle Hotel.

We have a sizeable building fund saved up and this bequest will increase it significantly. However we will need to raise further funds and we will be setting up various initiatives to achieve this. Please let me know if you have ideas and can help with fund-raising,

We would really like to start building work this autumn so we need to get cracking!