Paul Griffiths

Our congratulations to Sussex County member Professor Paul Griffiths who has been awarded an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours list for Services to Virology. Paul has had a long and distinguised career in virology research and in particular cytomegalovirus. He is the Patron of CMV Action, a charity dedicated to educating about the serious problems cytomegalovirus poses to unborn babies if a woman catches it during pregnancy.

Sussex County wins Croquet SouthEast Ladies Day

The Sussex Couny team of Pam Gooders, Deborah Marcus and Kathy McColgan won this year's Ladies Day organised by Croquet SouthEast (the new name of the South East Croquet Federation). Congratulations to them.

Full report on the Croquet SouthEast website.

Record amount raised for British Heart Foundation 

This year's Charity One Ball competition across the country raised £9,382.16 for the British Heart Foundation, a remarkable achievement.

Gabrielle Higgins was our local heat winner and the Regional Final at Surbiton which was won by David Long of Blewberry Croquet Club. The national final at Nottingham was won by Peter Bell of Bristol Croquet Club.

Next autumn and spring there will be one ball sessions to prepare your skills for next year's charity competition.

Diana Brothers Drawn Pairs Competition 2024

Thanks to Vincent and Roger for managing the day, and Fiona for overall planning.

Full results

The knock-out stage is as follows: 

Best of 3 games, 

Quarter final played by 1 August, semi by 1 September.

Half Day singles tournament 1st June 2024

16 players were drawn into 4 blocks, evenly handicapped on a cold but dry morning.

The winners were as follows:

Block A

1st Gerald O’Brien,

2nd Konstantine Yudintsev

3rd Paul Green

Block B

1st Pam Gooders

2nd Rosemary Faulkner

3rd Linda Gavigan

Block C

1st Diana Rolfe

2nd Angela Avis

3rd Jo Crosby

Block D

1st Pat Harden

2nd Martin Avis

3rd Hilary Jolly

Thanks to Roger for managing the event.

Full results

SCCC GC Singles Tournament 31st May 2024

36 players entered the SCCC One Day GC Singles Tournament on 31st May. The tournament was split into 4 sections with the top 2 sections split into 2 blocks of six followed by a cross block final. The higher handicap sections were split into two blocks of 6 and played 5 games each.

Conditions were cold and slightly windy but fortunately the predicted rain failed to materialise, & most of the sections completed their games in time to beat the Friday rush hour.

The catering team of Rosemary Faulkner and Pat Mechen put on a splendid buffet lunch

And some very tasty cakes were offered at tea time.

The results were as follows:

A Section:

Block 1

Winner Liz Farrow

2nd Richard Brooks

3rd Andrew Wilson

Block 2

Winner Steve Chapman

2nd Martin Daniels

3rd Simon Ancell

Final play off: Steve Chapman beat Liz Farrow 7 – 4

B Section: 

Block 1

Winner Douglas Shand

2nd Vincent L’Estrange

3rd Michael Gentry

Block 2

Winner David King

2nd Gavin Taylor

3rd David Dickens

Final play-off: Douglas Shand beat David King 7-5

C Section:

Winner Francis Ainley 5 wins

2nd Steve Baldwin 3 Wins (+7)

3rd Sue Nicholas 3 Wins (+6)

D Section:

Winner: Jim Mander 5 Wins

2nd Paul Griffiths 3 Wins

3rd Paul Brown 2 Wins

Thanks to Jonathan Isaacs for managing the competition.

Steve Chapman

Liz Farrow

Douglas Shand & David King

Francis Ainley

Jim Mander

Sussex County beats High Wycombe in Longman Cup

Report by David Gillett:

Sussex County travelled to High Wycombe Croquet Club on Saturday 25th May for the first round of the Longman Cup, a national AC handicap knock-out event. High Wycombe have two excellent lawns and a compact clubhouse. There was some distraction due to a large boys and girls football tournament next door and a number of red kites circling overhead. Because of the former some assertiveness was required from our driver to be able to park near the lawns.

Mark Hamilton and Chrissie Merrington lost in the doubles against a pair including a rather under-handicapped player on 20. Wins by Simon Fenn-Tye and David Gillett in the singles meant Sussex sat down to an enjoyable lunch with a 2-1 lead. Simon, as anyone would, struggled against the 20 and Mark also lost to give High Wycombe a 3-2 lead. David Gillett won to restore equality.

The deciding match had an exciting finish. Chrissie's opponent scored a point to level the scores in the turn when time was called and put his ball in front of the its hoop ready to make the "golden hoop" in his next turn. However, Chrissie hit in in the extension period and made the one hoop required for a win. The 4-3 victory means that Sussex County travel to Hurlingham in the next round. 

Weather dampens spirits on half day's play

A late withdrawal meant the cancellation of Block A but the other five block faced indifferent weather for their three games.

Block B winner Nira Scutt
Block C winner Les Ardley
Block D winner Richard Stewart
Block E winner Pat Mechen
Block F winner Susan Gale

Congratulations to them all and thanks to Roger for managing the event.

Full results

Richard wins Montevideo Cup for fourth time

Two Southwick players, Richard Brooks and Morgan Case, went to play at the Montevideo Cup tournament in Tonbridge Wells on Saturday 11^th May. The trophy was won last year by another Southwick player – Steve Chapman.

There were 10 players, ranging in handicap from -1 to 5. Play was in two blocks of 5 players with some cross-block games, followed by a semi-final and final, all smoothly managed by tournament manager Mike Gentry.

We were blessed with some wonderful sunny weather and no rain. The three lawns were all in beautiful condition and running very true, if somewhat slower than the lawns at Southwick. This presented a bit of a challenge for the two Southwick players to start with, although a look at Croquet Scores will show that one player handled the challenge far better than the other!

After complimentary tea and cakes, play proceeded to the semi-final and final – for Richard, at any rate. Morgan just sat and continued to eat cake while waiting for his ride home!

Richard emerged as the clear winner in his block, winning all his games. He beat Mark Buckley 7-5 in the semi-final. He went on to defeat Jon Diamond 7-6 in a close final match, lifting the trophy for a very impressive fourth time.

Sussex County encourages AC with short croquet competition

The first Short Croquet Jamboree was held at Southwick on 20th May. Wonderful sunshine greeted the 6 clubs who took part. They were Sussex County (2 teams), Rother Valley, Hove Beach, Rottingdean and Littlehampton.

There were 4 rounds - one of singles, one of doubles, one a mixture of both singles and doubles, and finally 1 ball. A busy day but hopefully enjoyed by all. Some excellent croquet and good performances by the 'newbies'!

It was a joy to see some pleasing croquet from Gabrielle, Liz and Alan C. They play with fluency and accuracy. An encouragment to beginners. Thanks to them for their support and encouragement. Sadly, Rother Valley had 2 players unwell so I am grateful to Alan Cottle for substituting at the last minute for them, and to Ray for playing doubles for Hove Beach as one of their team had sunstroke!! Also others who made up the numbers where necessary.

Points were awarded for wins, peg outs, draws and for the 1-ball.

The winners were Sussex County 1 with Liz, David D and Pat M. Runners up Littlehampton with Robyn and Bob C, and 'stand in' Andrew B.

Thanks of course to Ben and Steve for marking out and setting up the short courts. Above all, many thanks for all the players for making it an enjoyable and friendly day.

Next Jamboree is on 17th July. So far 6 clubs have entered so it should be another interesting and fun  croquet day.

Frances Low (Manager)