Players at yesterday's GC B Level Series Tournament on Lawn 2 were surprised to find a tiny fox cub sleeping in their shelter. Assuming all was well, it was left quietly to enjoy its snooze.
However, after some time it was seen wandering onto the lawn edge and appeared weak and uncoordinated. Suspecting it had been abandonned, we phoned East Sussex Wildlife Rescue. They passed our message on the Brighton & Hove Wildlife Advice & Rescue Service (WARS), as they are nearer.
A short time later one of B&H WARS' colleagues came and rescued the little chap. She thought it had a good chance of survival - and certainly it was going to the right place.
East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service is a long-established charity providing a much-needed service to wildlife in the Sussex area. You can find more information about them on their website, where you will also find how to donate to this worthy cause.
Brighton & Hove Wildlife Advice and Rescue Service are a very active group and may be found online in their Facebook group. According to a recent Argus report, they have had a busy time recently rescuing foxes, so ours will be in good hands. They are largely a voluntary organisation and may be supported through their JustGiving page.
After no ascertainable history of ever playing each other in the AC Inter-club competition, Sussex County were this year drawn against East Dorset Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club for the second year in succession. Once again, it was a close match, but we managed to avenge our 4-3 loss last year with an equally tight 4-3 win this year.
In the morning, Dom Nunns and Gabrielle Higgins never got so much as a sniff at hoop 1, losing 26tp to Jeff Dawson and David Fuller. Meanwhile Paul Castell nearly polished off Steve Leonard +24 but missed his peg out, and Steve made 5 more hoops before Paul managed to hit back in and peg out his remaining ball. Tudor Jenkins came agonisingly close to completing a quadruple peel, failing rover with all peels done, but managed to hit back in on the next turn to complete the game and leave SCCC 2-1 at lunch.
In the afternoon, Jonathan Powe made short work of Paul Castell to level the scores. Gabrielle got off to a good start against Jeff, but had more difficulty with her second ball and ended up on peg with no peels done. Jeff hit the lift and pegged her off, but Gabrielle hit back in and completed an adventurous 2 ball break to put SCCC in the lead again with 3-2. The other two games had plenty of interactivity, but Tudor squeaked a close victory over Steve +3 to secure the match. Dom was also pegged out by David, who with his own partner on 4b and Dom still on 4 had two balls off, which was duly a winning tactic.
All in all, a better result than the joke of the early posed photo might have suggested.
Many thanks to East Dorset LT&CC for their excellent hospitality.
Thanks to Gabrielle Higgins for report and photo
The Charity 1-Ball Competition is a national cr0quet event held annually, each year supporting a differeent charity. Local heats feed into regional and national finals.
Our local heat took place on 14th April and over £170 raised for Alzheimer's Society. Many thanks to the generosity of the competitors and Sussex County Club members contributing to that success.
The gladiatorial fun and tactically testing elements were enjoyed by all, throughout, though sadly we had to lose the prowess of Paul Castell at lunchtime due to another commitment.
Blessed with fine Spring conditions, Ben had the Lawns playing well. One of our talented Club AC players, David Marcus, offered to be non-playing day Manager and opted for All Play All format.
Deborah Marcus shone through with no games lost, as the Event winner.- Congratulations Deborah. David Dickens was 2nd with 5 wins. Clive 3rd (4 wins). All matches were close fought in good spirit.
Thanks to Paul, Ray and Clive as, Referees, Ray as Photographer and all for such an enjoyable day.
The Regional Heat is at Surbiton on 17th May. Other commitments on that date mean we are not certain who will represent us then.
It is open to individuals to apply to play at the Regional Heat. If you wish to do so, please contact the National Organiser Debbie James (email: Charity1ball@gmail.com or charityoneball@gmail.com). Expect £20+ donation request.
In preparation for next year's charity competition we Iook forward to more structured practice and orientation Roll ups in the audumn/spring to lead in to 2026 event and a fresh selected cause. (Any requests for charities to be considered, to Debbie, as above.)
Thank you to Roger Buxton and John Low for their parts in Admin and PR.
Well done everyone for the Team effort, spirit and outcome. The Alzheimers regional coordinators are delighted.
Robin Wootton
Most of the participants in the competition, including winner Deborah Marcus - front row, centre
Club display
Congratulations to the winners of each division and thanks to Richard for managing the event.
| Division A | BA | KY | BG | JI | MC | RB | Games | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Aikens | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 2 | |
| Konstantin Yudintsev | 6 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 4 | |
| Bridget Goodman | 7 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 3 | |
| Jonathan Isaacs | 4 | 7 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 5 | |
| Morgan Case | 2 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 6 | |
| Richard Brooks | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 1 |
| Division B | SA | TJ | AS | BH | DD | DS | Games | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simon Ancell | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 1 | |
| Tony Jolly | 2 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 6 | |
| Andrew Stewart | 4 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 5 | |
| Beryl Hughes | 4 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 4 | |
| David Dickins | 6 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 2 | |
| Douglas Shand | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 3 |
| Division C | VL | AF | DK | NB | PG | TN | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vincent L'Estrange | 7 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 4 | |
| Andrew Fall | 4 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 5 | |
| David King | 7 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
| Nigel Billingham | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 1 | |
| Paul Green | 5 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 6 | |
| Tony Nicholas | 7 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 2 |
| Division D | FA | JP | JR | RW | SN | JM | Games | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Francis Ainley | 7 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 5 | |
| Jane Powell | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | |
| Jill Richardson | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 3 | |
| Robin Wootton | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 6 | |
| Sue Nicholas | 7 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 4 | |
| Jim Mander | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 1 |
| Division E | AB | JL | KM | PB | TB | TM | Games | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anne Bolland | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 1 | |
| John Low | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 2 | |
| Kathy McColgan | 6 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | |
| Paul Brown | 7 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 4 | |
| Tim Bick | 4 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 5 | |
| Tony Marjoram | 3 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
| Division F | PG | FF | PC | AM | SK | TE | Games | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Griffith | 7 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 1 | |
| Fiona Fall | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 4 | |
| Peter Cave | 7 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 6 | |
| Angela Marjoram | 7 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 5 | |
| Susan Kilby | 2 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | |
| Trish Ellis | 2 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
The 2025 running of the Southwick Salver was blessed with warmer temperatures than is sometimes the case, and with a healthy smattering of sunshine.
Sussex County was delighted to welcome a field of 29, the largest for some time, including visitors from Portugal, Switzerland and many parts of the UK.
The Salver has been won by its fair share of world champions, but also has a friendly, fun atmosphere, offering a chance for a range of handicaps to try their luck against, in some cases, significantly stronger opponents on paper. The consolation Egyptian format allows the flexibility for players to play the sort of games and opponents they want to, whilst anyone who plays above their handicap level has a chance to win a bottle of wine along with the main event winner.
Adding to the atmosphere over the weekend were local members coming and going, notably for ‘croquet and cakes’ (name check for the great Fran Box), more international visitors, colourful bunting, some particularly nosy seagulls, and a dusk visit from a bushy-tailed fox as the last Saturday night drinks were downed.
Some of the weekend’s most enterprising play came from Ian Burridge, the only player to make two triple peels. He was unlucky to run into the generally rock-solid break play of eventual winner Andrew Hobbs in the quarters. Credit should also go to Ged Smolskas who defeated No.1 seed Dom Nunns in their quarter, earning a handicap reduction to -0.5, in a game featuring an end-to-end hit-in by Ged as a key moment. Stephen Wright had bested No.2 seed Nigel Polhill in their semi-final to earn the right to play Andrew.
In the final itself, Andrew had looked in full control at game up and on a potentially winning break, for 2b and peg when disaster struck in the form of a wrong ball error. Stephen gave him no further opportunity and equalised. However, Andrew gathered himself calmly and saw the match out.
There was some interest in manager Dom Nunns’s spreadsheet handling of the Egyptian format arithmetic. The software may shortly make its Swiss debut, if that isn’t too confusing a sentence. In its wisdom, it duly declared Alan Chance the winner. Intriguingly, had the semi-finalists been eligible, Ged would have just pipped Alan on the Egyptian points system, and so was duly awarded the Easter egg for 3rd place. Happily, Nigel declared he didn’t care because he didn’t like chocolate anyway.
Andrew wrapped up the weekend with a gracious speech thanking groundsman Ben Harwood and his CTC team for such excellent lawns for the time of year, Clive Hayton of SCCC and the catering team led by Rachel Pointon.
Dom Nunns
Thanks to Dominic Nunns for managing the event.
Winner Andrew Hobbs with the Manager
Andrew Wright, losing finalist
Alan Chance winner of the Egyptian event
| First Round | Second Round | Third Round | Semi-Final | Final | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dominic Nunns | Dominic Nunns 25-5 | Dominic Nunns 26-16 | Ged Smolskas 26-11 | Andrew Hobbs 26-19 | Andrew Hobbs 26-9, 20-26, 26-16 |
| Mark Hamilton | |||||
| Alan Chance | Alan Chance 25-21 | ||||
| Richard Peperell | |||||
| Stephen Allen | Stephen Allen 26-10 | Ged Smolskas 26-3 | |||
| Philip Taylor | |||||
| Guy Hewitt | Ged Smolskas 26-2 | ||||
| Ged Smolskas | |||||
| Andrew Hobbs | Andrew Hobbs 26-1 | Andrew Hobbs 26-10 | Andrew Hobbs 26-1 | ||
| Michael Bithell | |||||
| Anthony Hardwicke | |||||
| John Low | John Low 26-3 | Ian Burridge 26tp-1 | |||
| Richard Platt | |||||
| Bob Whiffen | Ian Burridge 26-2 | ||||
| Ian Burridge | |||||
| Philip Eardley | Philip Eardley 26-17 | Philip Eardley 26-7 | Stephen Wright 26-16 | Stephen Wright 26-5 | |
| Paul Castell | |||||
| Alex McIntyre | Dusan Turcer 25-24 | ||||
| Dusan Turcer | |||||
| Chris Crocroft | Stephen Wright 26tp-18 | ||||
| Stephen Wright | |||||
| Euan Burridge | Adam Swinton 26-19 | Neil Coote 24-23 | Nigel Polhil 26-18 | ||
| Adam Swinton | |||||
| Beatrice McGlen | Neil Coote 26-8 | ||||
| Neil Coote | |||||
| Chris Rolph | Tim Luke 25-14 | Nigel Polhill 26-3 | |||
| Tim Luke | |||||
| Peter Payne | Nigel Polhill 26-6 | ||||
| Nigel Polhill |
| Name | Games | Wins | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ian Burridge | 4 | 4 | T.Luke +16TP,D.Nunns +6,N.Polhill +2,N.Polhill +1 |
| Alan Chance | 3 | 3 | B.McGlen +23,D.Turcer +5,N.Coote +9 |
| Phil Eardley | 2 | 2 | E.Burridge +16,B.McGlen +13TP |
| Gediminas Smolskas | 1 | 1 | D.Turcer +7 |
| Stephen Wright | 1 | 1 | R.Platt +24 |
| Peter Payne | 4 | 3 | R.Peperell -3,R.Peperell +12,G.Hewitt +22,A.McIntyre +21 |
| Richard Peperell | 4 | 3 | P.Payne +3,P.Payne -12,C.Crowcroft +2,S.Allen +1 |
| Stephen Allen | 3 | 2 | B.Whiffen +16,A.Hardwicke +5,R.Peperell -1 |
| Adam Swinton | 3 | 2 | D.Turcer -17,J.Low +25,P.Castell +7 |
| Michael Bithell | 5 | 3 | E.Burridge -8,G.Hewitt -10,T.Luke +22,T.Luke +4,P.Castell +10 |
| Beatrice McGlen | 5 | 3 | P.Taylor +12,A.Chance -23,P.Castell +21,J.Low +26,P.Eardley -13TP |
| Euan Burridge | 4 | 2 | M.Bithell +8,R.Platt +5,P.Eardley -16,D.Nunns -8 |
| Chris Crowcroft | 2 | 1 | C.Rolph +13,R.Peperell -2 |
| Guy Hewitt | 4 | 2 | B.Whiffen +4,M.Bithell +10,P.Payne -22,A.Hardwicke -11 |
| Alex McIntyre | 4 | 2 | P.Castell +7,P.Taylor +19,N.Coote -16,P.Payne -21 |
| Dominic Nunns | 2 | 1 | I.Burridge -6,E.Burridge +8 |
| Chris Rolph | 4 | 2 | C.Crowcroft -13,M.Hamilton +2,P.Taylor -2,R.Platt +2 |
| Bob Whiffen | 4 | 2 | G.Hewitt -4,S.Allen -16,R.Platt +20,P.Taylor +8 |
| Neil Coote | 2 | 1 | A.McIntyre +16,A.Chance -9 |
| Dusan Turcer | 3 | 1 | A.Swinton +17,A.Chance -5,G.Smolskas -7 |
| Anthony Hardwicke | 3 | 1 | J.Low -24,S.Allen -5,G.Hewitt +11 |
| John Low | 4 | 1 | A.Hardwicke +24,A.Swinton -25,B.McGlen -26,T.Luke -17 |
| Tim Luke | 4 | 1 | I.Burridge -16TP,M.Bithell -22,M.Bithell -4,J.Low +17 |
| Philip Taylor | 4 | 1 | B.McGlen -12,A.McIntyre -19,C.Rolph +2,B.Whiffen -8 |
| Mark Hamilton | 1 | 0 | C.Rolph -2 |
| Richard Platt | 4 | 0 | S.Wright -24,E.Burridge -5,B.Whiffen -20,C.Rolph -2 |
| Nigel Polhill | 2 | 0 | I.Burridge -2,I.Burridge -1 |
| Paul Castell | 4 | 0 | A.McIntyre -7,B.McGlen -21,A.Swinton -7,M.Bithell -10 |
The sun shone and so we were able to play 4 games in the Alternate Stroke AC Doubles. There were 12 entries so 6 pairs which was ideal.
The manager could have been caught out with the result on points but it worked out in the final round!
The winners were David Dickens and Robin Wootton. David and Robin and worked well together with David's tactical acumen. Congratulations to them - they won 3/4 games.
Runners up were Jonathan and Tony who won 2/4 games and had a draw!
Thanks to all who took part, and made it a very pleasant tournament.
My biggest groan (disappointment) was that there were no peg outs!! In spite of a generous helping of bisques! Still early days and I look forward to more AC tournaments.
Frances Low
Thanks to Frances for managing the event.
What a lovely day to play croquet!
Warm Spring sunshine with a cool breeze and the lawns looking and playing at their best. The manager's job was easy - a round number of entrants (18 pairs) and no late drop-outs. Three divisions of 6 played 5 matches.
In Division C, Linda & Gerald and Fiona & Andrew both won 4 matches. Although the former beat the latter, Fiona & Andrew were narrow winners by virtue of +9 net hoops against +6 for Linda & Gerald.
Division B also had two pairs with 4 wins, Francis & Kathy and Sue & Tony. As with Division C the winners, Francis & Kathy net +9, also lost their game against runners up Sue & Tony, net hoops +6.
Division A was more even with 4 pairs each winning 3 games with David & Steve prevailing with +8 net hoops over the runners up Brian & Konstantin, +6.
Thanks to everyone for an enjoyable day's croquet played in a friendly spirit. Congratulations to the winners and special thanks to Ben & CTC for the superb lawns and to Jo, Gill and Angela for providing a lovely lunch while undergoing a hygiene inspection from the local council!
And thanks to Vincent for managing the event and providing photographs.
| Block A | BH> | RB&DK | FP&TJ | BA&KY | JP&BG | DD&SC | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beryl Hughes & Gavin Taylor | 4 | 7 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 4 | |
| Richard Brooks & David King | 7 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 5 | |
| Fiona Phillips & Tony Jolly | 2 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | |
| Brian Aikens & Konstantin Yudintsev | 7 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 2 | |
| Jane Powell & Bridget Goodman | 4 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 6 | |
| David Dickins & Steve Chapman | 5 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 1 |
| Block B | SN&TN | FA&KM | RC&JC | MT&NH | AH< | PB&RW | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sue Nicholas & Tony Nicholas | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 2 | |
| Francis Ainley & Kathy McColgan | 5 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 1 | |
| Robyn Clark & Jo Crosby | 3 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 4 | |
| Mike Tumath & Nicholas Halton | 6 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 5 | |
| Andrea Huxley & Louise Taylor | 7 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | |
| Paul Brown & Robin Wootton | 5 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| Block C | LG&GO | MB&DR | TM&LM | AF&FF | FB&JM | SK&CB | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linda Gavigan & Gerald O'Brien | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 2 | |
| Mark Barnham & Diana Rolfe | 5 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 6 | |
| Tony Marjoram & Laki Marangos | 7 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 5 | |
| Andrew Fall & Fiona Fall | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 1 | |
| Fran Box & Jim Mander | 5 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 3 | |
| Sue Kilby & Chris Baccarini | 4 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 4 |
Congratulations to the winners of this day competition.
Thanks to Linda for running the event.
| A | BA | RC | PG | RB | CM | DD | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Aikens | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 1 | |
| Robert Clark | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 2 | |
| Paul Green | 3 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 6 | |
| Richard Brooks | 6 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 5 | |
| Chrissie Merrington | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | |
| David Dickins | 2 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 4 |
| B | KY | EF | AH | BG | DK | TJ | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Konstantin Yudintsev | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 1 | |
| Elizabeth Farrow | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 2 | |
| Andrea Huxley | 6 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 6 | |
| Bridget Goodman | 4 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 4 | |
| David King | 2 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 5 | |
| Tony Jolly | 7 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 3 |
| C | FA | AF | MB | JM | KM | PB | Wins | Positio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Francis Ainley | 5 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 2 | |
| Andrew Fall | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 3 | |
| Mark Barnham | 4 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 6 | |
| Jim Mander | 4 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 5 | |
| Kathy McColgan | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 1 | |
| Paul Brown | 3 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 4 |
| D | RC | JP | FF | JR | TB | JC | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robyn Clark | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 1 | |
| Jane Powell | 5 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 2 | |
| Fiona Fall | 2 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 5 | |
| Jill Richardson | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 4 | |
| Tim Bick | 6 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 6 | |
| Joanne Crosby | 3 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 |
Our club member Chrissy Isaacs died on 19th February, after a long struggle against cancer. We all mourn her loss.
I was reminded by another club member of the first time we met Chrissy at a club social function, and we wondered who this petite and stylishly-dressed lady was, who had come into Jonathan's life. We didn't then realise how important to the life of the club she was to become.
Chrissy didn't then play croquet, and in truth it never really became her main sporting interest - that place was taken by golf. Chrissy didn't make her mark in the club - and a huge mark it was - on the croquet lawns but elsewhere - in our canteen.
Over the years we have been treated to so many wonderful occasions where Chrissy masterminded a feast: Christmasses, formal events for major competitions, and lovely, simple club get-togethers. Her presence in the kitchen, always ordered, calm and with a ready smile, meant we would be in for a treat.
We shall miss all that of course; but we shall miss above all, her warmth, her smile, her friendship to us all.
We are privileged to have had Chrissy has a member of the club and as a friend, and our hearts and condolences go out to Jonathan and to his and her families for their great loss.
(Photos by family, Ray Hall, John Low)
Our local heat of this national and annual charity event has been fixed for 14th April. Every year money is raised for one charity. Search the Croquet England website for details of previous years and the amounts raised.
You don't need to be an AC player to enjoy this fun competition.
Please sign up in the usual way on our website.
Note you will need to bring your own lunch.