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

Block A	DG	GO	KY	PG	Wins	Position
Daphne Gaitley		5	1	7	1	4
Gerald O'Brien	7		7	7	3	1
Konstantin Yudintsev	7	4		5	1	2
Paul Green	6	5	7		1	3

Block B	LG	RF	PG	RB	Wins	Position
Linda Gavigan		6	7	3	1	3
Rosemary Faulkner	7		4	7	2	2
Pam Gooders	4	7		7	2	1
Roger Buxton	7	3	5		1	4

Block C	RS	DR	JC	AA	Wins	Position
Richard Stewart		6	4	6	0	4
Diana Rolfe	7		7	7	3	1
Jo Crosby	7	4		6	1	3
Angel Avis	7	5	7		2	2

Block D	LD	MA	PH	HJ	Wins	Position
Linda Davis		6	5	6	0	4
Martin Avis	7		3	7	2	2
Pat Harden	7	7		7	3	1
Hilary Jolly	7	4	2		1	3

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

B	GG	CA	JM	NS	Wins	Position
Gerald Gooders		7	6	5	1	3
Chris Ardley	4		3	5	0	4
Jim Manders	7	7		5	2	2
Nira Scutt	7	7	7		3	1

C	DR	PG	LA	MS	Wins	Position
Diane Rolf		7	3	7	2	2
Pam Gooders	5		6	7	1	3
Les Ardley	7	7		7	3	1
Michael Stanton	4	4	5		0	4

D	PG	SC	KM	RS	Wins	Position
Paul Griffith		3	7	4	1	4
Susan Caufield	7		7	3	2	2
Kathy McColgan	6	5		7	1	3
Richard Stewart	7	7	5		2	1

E	DL	MA	PM	LD	Wins	Position
David Larkin		7	4	7	2	3
Martin Avis	6		5	5	0	4
Patricia Mechen	7	7		6	2	1
Linda Davis	5	7	7		2	2

F	PG	PH	AA	SG	Wins	Position
Peter Goldsmith		7	2	7	2	2
Pat Harden	5		7	4	1	4
Angela Avis	7	6		3	1	3
Susan Gale	3	7	7		2	1

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)

It's ¡Viva Espana! - but not completely

32 players from 13 European countries took part in this 4 day competition under the auspices of the World Croquet Federation.

Two and a half days of  block play were followed by a knockout championship and secondary competitions.

There has been an explosion of croquet in Spain in recent years so it was no surprise that all five Spanish players took part in the knockout stage and two reached the semi-finals (playing each other). The final was between England player Richard Bilton and Spanish player Jose Alvares-Sala, won by the latter 6-7, 7-3, 7-5.

Spanish player Andres Alvarez-Sala won the Shield beating Stuart M Smith 7-6, 7-6.

But Spain did not have it all its own way as Chris Roberts (Wales) won the Bowl, beating Manual Alvarez-Sala 7-1, 6-7, 7-5.

The Plate was won by WolfGang Usbeck (Germany) beating Bjorn Kamne (Norway).

Shield winner Andres Alvarez-Sala with WCF Representative Peter Payne

Bowl winner Chris Roberts

Bronze medalist Jose Riva

Silver medalist Richard Bilton

European GC Champion 2024 Jose Alvarez-Sala

Six teams have now provisionally entered the new Southern Challenge being held at Sussex County on 22-23 June 2024.

There are still places for more teams. For further information, visit this page.

Congratulations to Peter Goldsmith who celebrated his 90th birthday recently. Here he is with his cake at the Club during the European GC Championship, where he was taking lunch orders and collecting payments.

Peter has been a stalwart member of the catering team. He is a master baker and made and decorated the cake that Mary Berry cut at the Women's GC World Championship last year. 

Happy 90th, Peter

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

Block A	1	2	3	4	Wins	Points	Position
1. John Daniels		+11	+11	+11	3		1
2. Chrissie Merrington	-11		-6	-1	0		4
3. Steve Chapman	-11	+6		-4	1		3
4. David Dickins	-11	+1	+4		2		2

Block B	1	2	3	4	Wins	Points	Position
1. Mark Hamilton		-9	+9	+7	2		2
2. John Low	+9		+5	+5	3		1
3. Ray Hall	-9	-5		-6	0		4
4. Nigel Billingham	-7	-5	+6		1		3

In the crossover games:

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