Big clubhouse clean-up

Thanks to Linda for organising the cleaning and re-filling of our new clubhouse with all the tables, chairs, kitchen equipment etc. And to everyone who helped.

And it was a great day for croquet!

2026 Annual General Meeting

The very first use of the newly refurbished clubhouse. It looks brilliant!

GC Doubles 20th March 2026

The weather was set fair for the Open Doubles competition on Saturday 20th March with non-stop sunshine and a light breeze. The lawns were in superb condition and because the ground was firm, with no rain for a few days, jumping was allowed for the first time.

With 12 pairs there were two divisions of 6. Division A and Division B.

In Division A there was a fairly tight contest with two pairs fighting it out to the last game for top spot. In the end Richard Brooks and David King prevailed against Simon Ancell and Vincent L’Estrange with 5 wins and net hoops of 10. Bridget Goodman and Jane Powell were in third place.

It was a little different in Division B with Beryl Hughes and Sue Nicholas building a commanding position, winning all their games with net hoops of 10. Francis Ainley and Kathy McColgan were in second place and Les and Christine Ardley in third.

I think everybody had an enjoyable day not only playing croquet but relaxing in the lovely spring weather.

Andrew Stewart.

Thanks to Andrew for managing the event.

Full results

The 3rd Sugar Beach International Croquet Cup 2026 16th – 19th March 2026

This year, three members of Sussex County Croquet Club, David Dickens, and Angela and Tony Marjoram, all travelled to Mauritius to play in the tournament alongside other players from England, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, and Mauritius.

The twenty-four players varied in handicap (DGrade!) with the most notable the #16 in the World, Stephen Mulliner, taking part. Unfortunately, last year’s winner Jenny Clarke could not attend as her flight was cancelled due to the troubles in the Middle East. The resort boasted two well maintained courts right alongside the beach with the Indian Ocean close by. Very picturesque.

The first day of play involved a doubles tournament with the partners randomly drawn by the organiser. The morning play comprised 4 blocks with each pair playing two games against the other block members.

In the afternoon, the top two pairs from each group took part in a knockout. Both Tony and Angela, and their partners, made it through to the first round of knockout games, but fell at the first hurdle. David, with his partner Lynette Labuschagne, made it through to the semifinal before losing to the eventual runners-up, Jane Morrison, and Jeremie Brousse de Gersigny. Stephen Mulliner and partner Janelle Morris were the winners with an extremely exciting final match going to the 13th hoop. Not only did all the players have to adapt their game to the slow and bumpy courts, but the weather on every day was a glorious 30 degree plus, with the additional challenge of the high humidity making the temperature feel like low to mid 40 degrees C. Plenty of liquids needed to be taken on board throughout the day (and in the evening too!)

Day 2 started with a coaching Masterclass held by Stephen Mulliner in the morning, and then in the afternoon the first 2 blocks of singles were played. First to play was Tony v Stephen Mulliner, a game that did not last long with Stephen showing the class and ability that has made him one of the world’s best players. Yep, a 7-0 demolition in 25 minutes. However, all was not lost with Tony winning his other two block games to give him a slim chance of being one of the best 2 block runners-up who would make the championship knockouts. Angela finished third in her block to guarantee her entry into the plate competition.

David played his block games on the morning of Day 3, and with 3 comfortable victories, finished top of his block and entered the Championship knock out event to be held on Day 4.

The morning of Day 4 was the Singles Plate Knockout Competition. Angela unfortunately lost in the first round to Henry Piat, one of the local Mauritian players, but Tony (who did not finish as one of the two best runners-up) won his first two matches before losing 6-7 to Australian Peter Hamilton in the Semi Final. Phil Taylor beat Peter Hamilton in the Final 7-1.

The final afternoon of the tournament was the Singles Championship Knockout Competition. David beat last year’s losing finalist Jane Morrison in his first match, but he then came up against Stephen Mulliner in the Semi-Final. David, to the excitement of the watching crowd, won the first two hoops, but eventually lost 7-4. The Final match of the tournament, watched by an enthralled crowd was Stephen Mulliner vs Dom Aarvold, with the popular Dom deservedly winning the match 7-3.

This was a very well-organized tournament, with a great bunch of players from across the globe, played at a fantastic holiday resort in superb weather conditions. For anyone interested in playing next year, (7th-12th March 2027) then they should register their interest on the Croquet and Cocktails website.

(photos and text by Angela and Tony)

GC singles 13th March 2026

After a blustery night it was a relief to all when Friday morning was dry albeit with a chilly breeze.

3 divisions of 6 with a highest handicap of 5 promised an interesting day and so it proved, with many games being decided at the 13th hoop.

In Division A, Richard Brooks was in fine form, winning all 5 games with a total of + 11 hoops. Places were closely contended with three of the division on 3 wins, but Simon Ancell took 2nd second place with +7 hoops, Konstantin was third with +3 hoops narrowly beating Tony Jolly on +2.

Nigel Billingham also had an excellent day, winning all 5 games in Division B and +14 hoops. Paul Green was took a close second place with 4 wins +6 hoops and Andrew Stewart was third with 2 wins.

In Division C, Kathy McColgan (sorry, no photo) had a fine run of form, winning her first 4 games before Jim Mander took their final game of the day. Kathy won the Division on 4 wins with an excellent hoop difference of +11. After a slow start, John Low won three games in a row to take second place with 3 wins and +3 hoops with Peter Hill coming third with 3 wins +2 hoops.

Thanks to all for a very enjoyable day despite the cold!

And thanks to Linda for managing the event.

Full results

More photos

Click to select a photo and then zoom with mouse if you wish

GC Half Day singles Fri 6th March

On a damp, grey morning the assembled 24 players were still happy to be heading onto the lawns last Friday.

With 6 blocks of 4, all double banked and with rain forecast the manager decided on 55 minute timed games to ensure a prompt finish to the morning.

As it turned out, most games finished well within time but nonetheless most players were pretty wet by the end of the morning.

Rob Harper won Division A with 2 wins + 8 hoops. Stephen Collett won all 3 hoops to win Division B as did Tim Bick, winner of Division C and Nira Scutt who took Division D.

Angela Jones won Division E with 2 wins +5 hoops. Elizabeth Bell also won all 3 games to take Division F.

An enjoyable morning despite the rain. Thanks to Ben for fast lawns and fresh white lining!

Thanks to Linda for managing the event.

Full results

Alternate Stroke Doubles handicap 14 point competition 4 March 2026

The first AC open tournament of the year took place on Wednesday, 4th March in wonderful sunshine and warmth!! What a change from all the rain! It was an enjoyable day in every way.

16 players entered including 8 from Reigate and 2 from Ealing. Sadly Gabrielle Higgins was marooned in Madeira!! Flight postponed so John Low kindly stood in for her.

We played 4 rounds of 14 point, handicap, Alternate Stroke Doubles.

All the matches were very close but in the final round, Mike and Caroline Barnard were up against Liz Farrow and Andrew Baxter. The Barnards used their bisques very well and came out the winners! Well done - Reigate should be proud of them!

The winners received their chocolate prizes!!

I would like to thank everyone who came and played, and to say how I appreciated the support and friendliness. We coped with the limited space and were fortunate that the weather was kind to us. Thanks to you all!

Must mention Ben - the lawns were fantastic and so fast!! Thanks to Ben and his team.

Hope to see some of you at AC tournaments in future and /or at the Academy Coaching courses. Enjoy the season!!

Frances Low

Thanks to Frances for managing the event.

Full results

More photos

See what a lovely kitchen Mark and Richard are installing for us

The tea counter

(Apologies if anyone else has been involved that hasn't been named)

Last year the Charity 1-Ball national event, in which Sussex County took part, raised £8,759 for the Alzheimers charity.

This year the the charity being supported is Save the Children. 

Our local heat will be on Friday 24th April, starting at 10:00

Entry fee: £10 (which goes to the Charity, not the Club.)

Wear something RED.

Enter on-line on our website.

Further information, see the Manager, Clive Hayton.

Club Summer competitions

Club competitions are now open for entry to club members only.

Choose this link, or follow menu: Play croquet - Club & team competitions - Enter Summer Club Competitions and follow instructions on that page.

Entries are open until Sunday 23rd March.