The AC Spring Weekend Tournament

The Southwick Salver Advanced (AC) Tournament (11-12 Apr 2026) at Sussex County Croquet Club A near-full field of 29 players entered this year’s Salver from far and wide, hoping for an early glimpse of some spring sunshine by the sea and of the newly refurbished clubhouse. Phase 1 of the redevelopment was recently completed, and both club members and visitors are highly impressed. All those who have donated so far were duly thanked, and a sense of anticipation is already building for Phase 2 and the finishing of the job. With a number of events this season in both codes, further visitors from the UK and beyond will have a chance to see the progress for themselves shortly.

On day one, Nigel Polhill was involved in drama at both ends of the day. As the evening spectators looked on through their drinks with a mix of intrigue, entertainment and slight concern about supper timings, Nigel edged out Ged Smolskas for a +1(t) win. However, he had been declared winner of ‘shot-of-the-tournament’ by lunchtime for his bombard peg-out from distance to finish an already adventurous triple peel.

Elsewhere, the players seeded 1 (Dom Nunns), 2 (Debbie Lines), 5 (Gabrielle Higgins) and 6 (Annabel McDiarmid) had progressed to the semi-finals. Sadly, by start of play on Sunday it was apparent that Annabel’s wrist injury was going to prevent her from playing, after she had played so well - particularly in defeating the event’s joint top peeler, Ian Lines. Dom claimed his place in the final against Debbie with a +25tp win against Gabrielle.

By the time the final reached its deciding game, The Egyptian consolation event had bubbled up to one of its most exciting conclusions yet. With large numbers of points available for any upsets, there were several contenders at various stages, including club members Liz Farrow and Jonathan Isaacs, as well as visitors Matt Cook, John Greenwood, Peter Payne and Guy Hewitt. The event is ferociously difficult to win as a minus player, so the fact that Thomas Cullis came so close was hugely to his credit. However, the eventual winner of the red wine was Tim Luke, with three determined wins from five, all against stronger players on paper.

The opening stages of the final were more interactive than either player might have wished, but from a certain point in game two the quality of play went up several notches. Dom, game up, had completed two peels and pegged out Debbie’s forward ball before showing good patience in progressing the 2 v 1 ending. However, one slip was all that Debbie needed to pounce for a decisive three-ball break. Undeterred, Dom won game three with a 7th-turn triple to claim his third Salver win. Whilst early peeling opportunities were spurned, the eventual key was an accurate rush of peelee after 2-back to five feet straight in front of 4-back, allowing an immediate jawsing and a subsequent straight double peel to finish.

Congratulations to Dominic and thanks for also managing the event.

Full results

Salver knockout

Egyptian Plate

(NB, winner is defined by points gained, not direct results so table order has no significance.)

Short Croquet Interclub Competition

There was so much enthusiasm for playing in SCCC’s first ever match in Croquet England’s Short Croquet Interclub competition that playoffs had to be held to pick the team.

It was impossible to find a date that everyone interested could make, but on 14 April 10 hopefuls were blessed with fine weather and enjoyed three rounds of closely contested games.

Some were experienced Short Croquet players while others were playing their first game of Short Croquet, so help with the rules was on hand and a few coaching pointers were offered at the end of the day.

Steve Chapman was undefeated and so secured first place in the team. Nigel Billingham, David Dickins, Tony Marjoram and Kathy McColgan all won two of their three games, but Nigel was unavailable for the first match date and David Dickins very honourably stepped aside in favour of Bob Clark; Gabrielle as manager had made a handicapping error at the start of the day by failing to check if anyone’s AC handicap had reduced since their SC handicap was set, which resulted in David having more bisques than he should have done in his game against Bob, and David also has more external AC tournament experience than Bob.

The resultant team of Steve, Tony, Kathy and Bob will be taking on Chichester at home on 2 June. Spectators and supporters are welcome.

Meanwhile, there was enthusiasm for another day of Short Croquet later in the season, and if anyone is interested in joining the group, do let Gabrielle Higgins know.

Many thanks to Ben for setting out lawn 10 for Short Croquet for the day as well as lawn 11.

Thanks to Gabrielle for organising the event.

Big clubhouse clean-up

Thanks to Linda for organising the cleaning and re-filling of our new clubhouse with all the tables, chairs, kitchen equipment etc. And to everyone who helped.

And it was a great day for croquet!

2026 Annual General Meeting

The very first use of the newly refurbished clubhouse. It looks brilliant!

GC Doubles 20th March 2026

The weather was set fair for the Open Doubles competition on Saturday 20th March with non-stop sunshine and a light breeze. The lawns were in superb condition and because the ground was firm, with no rain for a few days, jumping was allowed for the first time.

With 12 pairs there were two divisions of 6. Division A and Division B.

In Division A there was a fairly tight contest with two pairs fighting it out to the last game for top spot. In the end Richard Brooks and David King prevailed against Simon Ancell and Vincent L’Estrange with 5 wins and net hoops of 10. Bridget Goodman and Jane Powell were in third place.

It was a little different in Division B with Beryl Hughes and Sue Nicholas building a commanding position, winning all their games with net hoops of 10. Francis Ainley and Kathy McColgan were in second place and Les and Christine Ardley in third.

I think everybody had an enjoyable day not only playing croquet but relaxing in the lovely spring weather.

Andrew Stewart.

Thanks to Andrew for managing the event.

Full results

The 3rd Sugar Beach International Croquet Cup 2026 16th – 19th March 2026

This year, three members of Sussex County Croquet Club, David Dickens, and Angela and Tony Marjoram, all travelled to Mauritius to play in the tournament alongside other players from England, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, and Mauritius.

The twenty-four players varied in handicap (DGrade!) with the most notable the #16 in the World, Stephen Mulliner, taking part. Unfortunately, last year’s winner Jenny Clarke could not attend as her flight was cancelled due to the troubles in the Middle East. The resort boasted two well maintained courts right alongside the beach with the Indian Ocean close by. Very picturesque.

The first day of play involved a doubles tournament with the partners randomly drawn by the organiser. The morning play comprised 4 blocks with each pair playing two games against the other block members.

In the afternoon, the top two pairs from each group took part in a knockout. Both Tony and Angela, and their partners, made it through to the first round of knockout games, but fell at the first hurdle. David, with his partner Lynette Labuschagne, made it through to the semifinal before losing to the eventual runners-up, Jane Morrison, and Jeremie Brousse de Gersigny. Stephen Mulliner and partner Janelle Morris were the winners with an extremely exciting final match going to the 13th hoop. Not only did all the players have to adapt their game to the slow and bumpy courts, but the weather on every day was a glorious 30 degree plus, with the additional challenge of the high humidity making the temperature feel like low to mid 40 degrees C. Plenty of liquids needed to be taken on board throughout the day (and in the evening too!)

Day 2 started with a coaching Masterclass held by Stephen Mulliner in the morning, and then in the afternoon the first 2 blocks of singles were played. First to play was Tony v Stephen Mulliner, a game that did not last long with Stephen showing the class and ability that has made him one of the world’s best players. Yep, a 7-0 demolition in 25 minutes. However, all was not lost with Tony winning his other two block games to give him a slim chance of being one of the best 2 block runners-up who would make the championship knockouts. Angela finished third in her block to guarantee her entry into the plate competition.

David played his block games on the morning of Day 3, and with 3 comfortable victories, finished top of his block and entered the Championship knock out event to be held on Day 4.

The morning of Day 4 was the Singles Plate Knockout Competition. Angela unfortunately lost in the first round to Henry Piat, one of the local Mauritian players, but Tony (who did not finish as one of the two best runners-up) won his first two matches before losing 6-7 to Australian Peter Hamilton in the Semi Final. Phil Taylor beat Peter Hamilton in the Final 7-1.

The final afternoon of the tournament was the Singles Championship Knockout Competition. David beat last year’s losing finalist Jane Morrison in his first match, but he then came up against Stephen Mulliner in the Semi-Final. David, to the excitement of the watching crowd, won the first two hoops, but eventually lost 7-4. The Final match of the tournament, watched by an enthralled crowd was Stephen Mulliner vs Dom Aarvold, with the popular Dom deservedly winning the match 7-3.

This was a very well-organized tournament, with a great bunch of players from across the globe, played at a fantastic holiday resort in superb weather conditions. For anyone interested in playing next year, (7th-12th March 2027) then they should register their interest on the Croquet and Cocktails website.

(photos and text by Angela and Tony)

GC singles 13th March 2026

After a blustery night it was a relief to all when Friday morning was dry albeit with a chilly breeze.

3 divisions of 6 with a highest handicap of 5 promised an interesting day and so it proved, with many games being decided at the 13th hoop.

In Division A, Richard Brooks was in fine form, winning all 5 games with a total of + 11 hoops. Places were closely contended with three of the division on 3 wins, but Simon Ancell took 2nd second place with +7 hoops, Konstantin was third with +3 hoops narrowly beating Tony Jolly on +2.

Nigel Billingham also had an excellent day, winning all 5 games in Division B and +14 hoops. Paul Green was took a close second place with 4 wins +6 hoops and Andrew Stewart was third with 2 wins.

In Division C, Kathy McColgan (sorry, no photo) had a fine run of form, winning her first 4 games before Jim Mander took their final game of the day. Kathy won the Division on 4 wins with an excellent hoop difference of +11. After a slow start, John Low won three games in a row to take second place with 3 wins and +3 hoops with Peter Hill coming third with 3 wins +2 hoops.

Thanks to all for a very enjoyable day despite the cold!

And thanks to Linda for managing the event.

Full results

More photos

Click to select a photo and then zoom with mouse if you wish

GC Half Day singles Fri 6th March

On a damp, grey morning the assembled 24 players were still happy to be heading onto the lawns last Friday.

With 6 blocks of 4, all double banked and with rain forecast the manager decided on 55 minute timed games to ensure a prompt finish to the morning.

As it turned out, most games finished well within time but nonetheless most players were pretty wet by the end of the morning.

Rob Harper won Division A with 2 wins + 8 hoops. Stephen Collett won all 3 hoops to win Division B as did Tim Bick, winner of Division C and Nira Scutt who took Division D.

Angela Jones won Division E with 2 wins +5 hoops. Elizabeth Bell also won all 3 games to take Division F.

An enjoyable morning despite the rain. Thanks to Ben for fast lawns and fresh white lining!

Thanks to Linda for managing the event.

Full results

Alternate Stroke Doubles handicap 14 point competition 4 March 2026

The first AC open tournament of the year took place on Wednesday, 4th March in wonderful sunshine and warmth!! What a change from all the rain! It was an enjoyable day in every way.

16 players entered including 8 from Reigate and 2 from Ealing. Sadly Gabrielle Higgins was marooned in Madeira!! Flight postponed so John Low kindly stood in for her.

We played 4 rounds of 14 point, handicap, Alternate Stroke Doubles.

All the matches were very close but in the final round, Mike and Caroline Barnard were up against Liz Farrow and Andrew Baxter. The Barnards used their bisques very well and came out the winners! Well done - Reigate should be proud of them!

The winners received their chocolate prizes!!

I would like to thank everyone who came and played, and to say how I appreciated the support and friendliness. We coped with the limited space and were fortunate that the weather was kind to us. Thanks to you all!

Must mention Ben - the lawns were fantastic and so fast!! Thanks to Ben and his team.

Hope to see some of you at AC tournaments in future and /or at the Academy Coaching courses. Enjoy the season!!

Frances Low

Thanks to Frances for managing the event.

Full results

More photos

See what a lovely kitchen Mark and Richard are installing for us

The tea counter

(Apologies if anyone else has been involved that hasn't been named)