News
Sussex County A win their last match in federation Restricted League
On another warm and sunny day we welcomed our friends from Compton for our final match in this season's R League. After defeats in our first 3 matches it was pleasing to secure a 4-3 victory thanks to 2 wins for Graham Tucker and one each for David King and Phil Harrison. It was tight-fought with 8 of the 18 games played ending 7-6.
We live in hope of better things next season!
Vincent
AC Alternate Stroke Doubles on 15th August
The AC Alternate Stroke Doubles on 15th August attracted 16 players, ranging from handicaps 1 to 24! 8 pairs made an interesting tournament which I roughly did as a Swiss.
The matches were handicap but under normal doubles handicap rules. I now realise I should have made a bisque base so all could have a few bisques. Never mind. It is a learning curve.
Anyway, the final result was a win for Liz Farrow and David Dickens who were victorious in all their 4 games, including 2 pegged out games. Congratulations to them. Andrew Baxter and Mike Akester were 2nd with 2 wins including a pegged out win. They played canny games and roqueted and hooped well!
Every pair won at least one game so I think a good day was had by all although it could have been warmer!
My thanks to all who took part particularly those who helped high bisque partners - Ray Hall, Alan Cottle, Liz Farrow and Richard Ellis. Particular thanks to Liz Farrow for getting the tea/coffee ready and for washing up!! Very much appreciated. Thanks also to Deborah Marcus who offered to help with the admin.
Alternate Stroke doubles is a good learning opportunity for beginners/improvers and it is good to play with experienced and capable AC players. Many thanks to all the players for their participation and encouragement.
Frances (Manager)
And thanks to Frances for organising and managing this event.
GC Doubles Competition 10th August 2024
16 teams, 32 players on a bright summer's day at Southwick. No great pressure as no ranking or handicap points at stake, just the opportunity of a pleasant day's croquet.
The manager decided to run the competition in Swiss format (broadly, winners play winners and losers play losers), rather than the normal separate divisions: five rounds with a optional sixth for those who wished it.
On paper the pairing of Richard Broooks and Morgan Case seemed to be a winning formula but it was not to be, and they slipped behind after the third round. Coming up on the inside, as it were, were Beryl Hughes & Gavin Taylor, Vincent L'Estrange & Simon Ancell, Francis Ainley & Paul Green and Liz Drury & Tony James. All four pairs ended Round 5 with 4 wins. A very truncated 6th round left the field somewhat clearer and the Manager award prizes to Liz & Tony for 5 wins out of 6 games and to Francis & Paul for 4 wins out of 5 as there was no suitable opponent for them in the 6th round and they had beaten Liz and Tony in an earlier round.
Some players commented they enjoyed the ooprtunity to play different opponents the swiss format allowed; others who were less happy should be assured that block play will resume in future competitions this season.
There was no lunch provided but excellent cakes for tea, courtesy of the catering team and Linda Davies and Linda Gavigan in particular.
Full results (courtesy of CroquetScores)
| Competition | Games | Wins | Win % | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liz Drury & Tony James | 6 | 5 | 83.3% | F.Ainley & Paul Green -2,D.Langridge & Rosemary Faulkner +1,S.Gale & Elizabeth Bell +5,S.Kilby & Diana Rolfe +1,B.Hughes & Gavin Taylor +4,V.L'Estrange & Simon Ancell +3 |
| Francis Ainley & Paul Green | 5 | 4 | 80.0% | L.Drury & Tony James +2,B.Hughes & Gavin Taylor -1,J.Crosby & Nira Scutt +5,M.Daniels & Steve Chapman +3,L.Taylor & Richard Carline +2 |
| Beryl Hughes & Gavin Taylor | 5 | 4 | 80.0% | D.Langridge & Rosemary Faulkner +2,F.Ainley & Paul Green +1,R.Brooks & Morgan Case +3,V.L'Estrange & Simon Ancell +1,L.Drury & Tony James -4 |
| Vincent L'Estrange & Simon Ancell | 6 | 4 | 66.7% | S.Kilby & Diana Rolfe +2,M.Daniels & Steve Chapman +4,L.Taylor & Richard Carline +1,B.Hughes & Gavin Taylor -1,R.Brooks & Morgan Case +4,L.Drury & Tony James -3 |
| Richard Brooks & Morgan Case | 5 | 3 | 60.0% | R.Pointon & Rachel Pointon +4,J.Crosby & Nira Scutt +2,B.Hughes & Gavin Taylor -3,L.Taylor & Richard Carline +4,V.L'Estrange & Simon Ancell -4 |
| Martin Daniels & Steve Chapman | 5 | 3 | 60.0% | K.McColgan & Ray Hall +4,V.L'Estrange & Simon Ancell -4,L.Gavigan & Tony Jolly +1,F.Ainley & Paul Green -3,S.Kilby & Diana Rolfe +4 |
| Ian Cobbold & Jean Cobbold | 5 | 3 | 60.0% | L.Taylor & Richard Carline -1,F.Box & Ann Bolland -2,K.McColgan & Ray Hall +1,D.Langridge & Rosemary Faulkner +2,J.Crosby & Nira Scutt +3 |
| Linda Gavigan & Tony Jolly | 5 | 3 | 60.0% | F.Box & Ann Bolland +1,L.Taylor & Richard Carline -3,M.Daniels & Steve Chapman -1,J.Crosby & Nira Scutt +1,S.Gale & Elizabeth Bell +3 |
| Susan Kilby & Diana Rolfe | 6 | 3 | 50.0% | V.L'Estrange & Simon Ancell -2,K.McColgan & Ray Hall +2,F.Box & Ann Bolland +3,L.Drury & Tony James -1,M.Daniels & Steve Chapman -4,S.Gale & Elizabeth Bell +1 |
| Louise Taylor & Richard Carline | 5 | 2 | 40.0% | I.Cobbold & Jean Cobbold +1,L.Gavigan & Tony Jolly +3,V.L'Estrange & Simon Ancell -1,R.Brooks & Morgan Case -4,F.Ainley & Paul Green -2 |
| Fran Box & Ann Bolland | 5 | 2 | 40.0% | L.Gavigan & Tony Jolly -1,I.Cobbold & Jean Cobbold +2,S.Kilby & Diana Rolfe -3,S.Gale & Elizabeth Bell -4,R.Pointon & Rachel Pointon +2 |
| Susan Gale & Elizabeth Bell | 6 | 2 | 33.3% | J.Crosby & Nira Scutt -6,R.Pointon & Rachel Pointon +1,L.Drury & Tony James -5,F.Box & Ann Bolland +4,L.Gavigan & Tony Jolly -3,S.Kilby & Diana Rolfe -1 |
| Di Langridge & Rosemary Faulkner | 4 | 1 | 25.0% | B.Hughes & Gavin Taylor -2,L.Drury & Tony James -1,R.Pointon & Rachel Pointon +2,I.Cobbold & Jean Cobbold -2 |
| Kathy McColgan & Ray Hall | 4 | 1 | 25.0% | M.Daniels & Steve Chapman -4,S.Kilby & Diana Rolfe -2,I.Cobbold & Jean Cobbold -1,R.Pointon & Rachel Pointon +2 |
| Joanne Crosby & Nira Scutt | 5 | 1 | 20.0% | S.Gale & Elizabeth Bell +6,R.Brooks & Morgan Case -2,F.Ainley & Paul Green -5,L.Gavigan & Tony Jolly -1,I.Cobbold & Jean Cobbold -3 |
| Richard Pointon & Rachel Pointon | 5 | 0 | 0.0% | R.Brooks & Morgan Case -4,S.Gale & Elizabeth Bell -1,D.Langridge & Rosemary Faulkner -2,K.McColgan & Ray Hall -2,F.Box & Ann Bolland -2 |
Federation Carnival Day 4th August 2024
There will shortly be a report on the Federation website but in the meantime, here are some photos of the event.
Photos courtesy of Colin Myerscough and John Low
Click the > symbol top right of image to hide the grid
Sussex County hosts 2024 GC Veterans Tournament
Sussex County played host to the CqE Vterans Tournament from 23-25th July this year. It followed the usual format of two large blocks and knock stages.
Poor weather was expected on the final day so the two semi-finals started early and in fact the final was finished by late lunchtime. The winner was Tim Russell who beat Liz Farrow; however, Liz took the Brooks Vase as consolation. Neil Adams won the Plate.
The prizes were presented by Bill Arliss and he gave a short background to the event as he was instrumental in starting it originally.
Winner Tim Russell with Bill Arliss
Full results are on CroquetScores.
GC Singles Competition 19th July 2024
30 players took part in 4 divisions.
The winners were: Block A - Liz Farrow; Block B - Beryl Hughes; Block C - David Dickins and Block D - Jill Richardson. Congratulations to them and thanks to Gerald O'Brien for managing the event.
Full Results
| Block A | KY | BC | RB | LF | MD | CS | TJ | SC | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Konstantin Yudintsev | 5 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 5 | ||
| Bob Clark | 7 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 6 | ||
| Richard Brooks | 7 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 3 | |
| Liz Farrow | 7 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 1 | |
| Martin Daniels | 3 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 7 | |
| Charles Sale | 3 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 4 | |
| Tony Jolly | 4 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 8 | |
| Steve Chapman | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 2 |
| Block B | AS | DS | MG | AH | GT | RW | VL | BH | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Stewart | 5 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 7 | ||
| Douglas Shand | 6 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 8 | |||
| Michael Gentry | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 4 | |
| Andrea Huxley | 7 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 2 | ||
| Gavin Taylor | 7 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 5 | ||
| Robin Wootton | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 3 | |||
| Vincent L'Estrange | 6 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 6 | |||
| Beryl Hughes | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 1 |
| Block C | DD | JP | JL | PG | JM | SN | FA | AG | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Dickins | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 1 | |
| Jane Powell | 3 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 5 | |
| John Low | 3 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 6 | |
| Paul Green | 6 | 7 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 2 | |
| Jim Mander | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 7 | |
| Sue Nicholas | 5 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 8 | |
| Francis Ainley | 7 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 3 | |
| Alan Grundy | 4 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Block D | JR | RE | GT | LG | KM | PH | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jill Richardson | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 1 | |
| Richard Ellis | 0 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 4 | |
| Graham Tucker | 7 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 3 | |
| Linda Gavigan | 2 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 6 | |
| Kathy McColgan | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 2 | |
| Peter Hill | 5 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 5 |
Narrow defeat for SCCC A in R League
We travelled to the lovely surroundings of Guildford & Godalming Croquet Club for a Croquet SouthEast Federation R League fixture. It was a hot, humid and mostly sunny day so plenty of (non-alcoholic) liquid refreshment was taken in.
It was a close match, played in a friendly but competitive spirit, and stood at 3-3 as the final encounter was played out which narrowly went the way of our hosts.
Report by Vincent
Longman Cup
An early start for our team travelling to Roehampton for 9am to play the next round if the Longman Cup. Not sure which of us were yawning the most!
Their lawns were tremendous, even though it drizzled all day but our team still managed to win 5/2 So now into the Semi Finals - fingers crossed.
Report by Chrissie
Further report by David Gillett
The Sussex Longman Cup team headed north from the secret car park once again, this time to the marvellous lawns of the Roehampton Club. It was difficult for out team to adapt to the speed of the lawns but some drizzle in the morning reduced it slightly. Sussex were giving away bisques in all games. Wins in the singles for Steve Chapman and Simon Fenn-Tye and in the doubles for Chrissie Merrington & David Gillett gave us a three-nil lead at lunchtime. Lunch included exquisite but tiny chocolate brownies. Chrissie and David lost their afternoon singles but further wins for Steve and Simon gave Sussex County a five-two victory. We meet either East Dorset or Guildford & Godalming at home in the semi-final.
Congratulations to the team and success next round!
Littlehampton Centenary Tournament
Eight teams took part in the annual, whole day,Littlehampton Centenary Tournament at Littlehampton. The format was timed games of Golf Croquet, handicap play, using ExtraTurns. The Sussex County team had a challenging start but dug deep to make a strong finish. By the end of the day we had 5 wins, 1 Draw and 3 Losses which, sadly, was not enough to keep us in contention - The winners, Fishbourne, with 8 wins, being decided on net hoops won.. Many thanks to my team players, Rosemary Faulkner, Susan Gale and Jo Crosby, for their competitive play enduring throughout the day-Graham Tucker (Captain).
Photo: Jo Crosby
Short Croquet Jamboree 17th July 2024
The 2nd Short Croquet Jamboree was held at Southwick on 17th July. Blue skies, sunshine, warmth!! Hurrah!
We had 8 clubs enter which was very pleasing. We welcomed Bromley and Chichester for the first time. Other teams entering were Littlehampton, Rother Valley, Hove Beach, Rottingdean and Sussex who fielded 2 teams.It was encouraging to see some newer players emerging and realising how challenging and interesting AC/SC can be.
The tournament was a mixture of 14 point singles and doubles, all played on short courts.
The contest ended up very close with Bromley emerging winners after pipping Chichester in the last round. Well done to them and indeed to all who took part. Do encourage players of GC to try Short Croquet. They will obtain new skills in shots and tactics.
I am grateful to the team captains, the players, and of course Clive and Ben for sorting out the lawns. The lawns played beautifully!
My thanks to all of you who played and supported this event. I look forward to another one maybe in the autumn!!
Frances Low (Manager)
Thanks to Frances for organising and managing this event.
The winning team of Martin Daniels, Frances (Manager), Karen and Adam Newbould