The Short Croquet Jamboree

was played at Southwick on 29th May, mercifully with cooler weather!! 6 teams had entered but sadly Littlehampton were missing Bob and Robyn Clark due to injuries in a car crash. Andrew Baxter (Hon. Littlehampton member) and Mike Akester kindly represented Littlehampton ! So we had Sussex, Rottingdean, Rother Valley, Guildford, Littlehampton and Chichester.

The play was of course on short courts and all games are 14 points. We had a mixture of Alternate Stroke Doubles and Singles but the final round was speed doubles with time limit and no bisques!! Points were: 2 for a win, 1 + for a pegged out win and 1 for a draw.

It was great that a lot of matches pegged out! The setting up of a 4 ball break from the bisques is of course the whole art of AC and SC.

There were some notable wins ; Andrew Baxter pegged out twice in his singles against Sussex and Rother Valley. The last win was highlighted by a dramatic hit in with the opponent having both balls on the peg. Andrew kept his nerve to win 14-12. Richard Ellis won both singles for Rottingdean and Hilary Bird had good wins as did newcomer Dominic Webb. Katharine Minchin was in good form and pegged out in her singles game.

Guildford won with with 14 points, Rottingdean was second with 11 points and Littlehampton third with 9 points.

Many thanks to all clubs and players for their cheerful support and for playing some excellent croquet. I am as ever grateful to Ben for setting up the short courts and for providing us with wonderful lawns. Also to Clive for dismantling lawns 10 and 11 !

Pass the word around - short croquet is good fun, it is a learning curve and it brings new challenges! Join us!!

Frances (Manager and Referee)

Thanks to Frances for organising and managing the event 
Photos: Richard Ellis