News
Level play GC open tournament 23 August 2024
For once the weather forecast was correct and the rain moved on to allow us to play in dry weather from the start.
There were 5 blocks and we were pleased to see a number of players from other clubs who joined us for the first time.
Steve Chapman was the clear winner of Block A with 5 wins.
In Block B, David Dickins had a closely fought final game against David King with both in contention to win the Block. It resulted in David Dickins winning Block B as he won hoop 13.
Francis Ainley won Block C with 4 wins.
There were a number of new players to Southwick tournaments who played in Block D. It was a closely run block with Sam Holder (Hove Beach) and Jim Mander both winning 4 games but Sam had +12 net hoops against Jim’s +5.
Again there were new faces in Block E. I think it was a record that hoop 13 took 25 minutes for one of the matches! Three players Peter Hill, Paul Brown and Helen Wilson all had 3 wins so it was down to net hoops and Peter Hill won with +8.
Well done to all the winners.
A big thank you to Marion King for very kindly coming to sort out tea and cake and for all the clearing up she did.
Fiona Phillips
And thank you to Fiona for managing the event.
Full results
| Block A | BA | RB | SA | SC | TJ | BC | KY | AW | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Aikens | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 2 | ||
| Richard Brooks | 1 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 7 | ||
| Simon Ancell | 6 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 6 | ||
| Steve Chapman | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 1 | ||
| Tony Jolly | 5 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 4 | ||
| Bob Clark | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 3 | ||
| Konstantin Yudintsev | 5 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 5 | ||
| Andrew Wilson | 7 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 8 |
| Block B | DK | DS | DD | RW | VL | MJ | AS | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David King | 4 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 2 | |
| Douglas Shand | 7 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 4 | |
| David Dickins | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 1 | |
| Robin Wootton | 2 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 7 | |
| Vincent L'Estrange | 6 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 3 | |
| Michael Jay | 5 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 5 | |
| Andrew Stewart | 3 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| Block C | GT | FA | JP | GT | SN | PG | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gavin Taylor | 3 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 4 | |
| Francis Ainley | 7 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 1 | |
| Jane Powell | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | |
| Graham Tucker | 4 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 5 | |
| Sue Nicholas | 6 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 6 | |
| Paul Green | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 3 |
| Block D | Jl | SH | GD | AG | JM | AT | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John low | 4 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 3 | |
| Sam Holder | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 1 | |
| Gavin Dancy | 3 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 4 | ||
| Alan Grundy | 7 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 6 | ||
| Jim Mander | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 2 | |
| Alex Turner | 4 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 5 |
| Block E | PB | SC | HW | PH | KM | CM | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Brown | 7 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 2 | |
| Stephen Collett | 3 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 5 | |
| Helen Wilson | 7 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
| Peter Hill | 7 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 1 | |
| Kathy McColgan | 5 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 4 | |
| Christopher Mabley | 3 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 6 |
Sussex County v East Dorset
Sussex County entertained East Dorset in the semi-final of the Longman Cup (CqE's national AC handicap knock-out competition) on Thursday 22nd August hoping to reverse the result of last year's equivalent match.
Strong winds and rain made the weather the most unpleasant for some time. In the morning session, Steve Chapman suffered a rare defeat and Chrissie Merrington & Simon Fenn-Tye also lost in the doubles. David Gillett was in play as time was called but could not overcome a three-point deficit.
An excellent lunch provided by Liz Farrow was enjoyed by visitors and hosts alike.
Sussex needed to win all four of the afternoon singles to progress to the final. The first game to finish was a defeat for David and so the match was lost. However, there were wins for Chrissie, Steve and Simon, who hit in as time was called and pegged out. This gave a more respectable result of 3-4 in the match.
A marvellous cake baked by Liz was consumed afterwards. Sussex Ciounty wished East Dorset good luck in the final against either Southport or Boden.
Thanks to Chrissie for captaining the team in all four matches.
Report by David Gillett
The Editor would like to thank all the players and correspondents who submitted match reports this year. It keeps the whole Club abreast of national and other competitions. Please continue next season and indeed, more please! Photos are also very welcome.
Peter Dowd new Captain of Sussex GC Team
After representing the Sussex team for eighteen years and having the honour of being the Captain/Organiser for the last six, Richard Brooks has decided now is the right time for him to give up his leadership role.
After relegation in 2018 Sussex bounced back to Division 1 in the following year and have remained a Division 1 team since then. This year we needed to win our last match to retain our place at Southwick in 2025. Fortunately we achieved that vital win.
Richard said: "I would like thank the club members who were watching and encouraging the team on Sunday afternoon.
I also thank the team members past and present who have supported me during my time as Captain. I’m now pleased to hand over the captaincy to Peter Dowd, wishing him and Sussex every success in the future."
Thanks from the whole County to Richard for all his hard work and the successes he has brought to the County - and good luck to Peter.
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
