GC doubles competition 27th December 2025

A small field played in bright but cold sunlight this morning. Eight pairs played in two divisions for a short event.

Division A was won by Morgan Case & Konstantin Yudintsev who won all three games. Division 2 was won by Jo Crosby & David Larkin who likewise had a clean sweep.

Thanks to all who took part and to Gerald for managing the event.

Full results

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Read the latest update here.

Some additional pictures of the third steel beam have been added to the original report.

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Festive Croquet & Cakes

Many thanks to Fran for organising a festive Croquet & Cakes on Sunday which was very successful. Lots of delicious festive food and mulled wine. 34 people attended and Roger did the 100 club draw which will be announced shortly.

Thanks to Fran and to Angela for the photos.

 

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The 2026 membership renewal form is now open here.

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Refurbishment progress

Thanks to Simon of Harrity Construction and Richard Carline for a very informative visit to see at first hand the work being done in our canteen. I think everyone was impressed by how it is coming on, and a lot of good questions asked.

Richard also gave us a fly-through of the plans in 3D!

Thanks again to Simon and Richard.

Click on an image to expand it.

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Refurbishment Update from Richard for the end of November

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As happened to the last competition, tomorrow's GC doubles has been cancelled due to poor forecast. 

(Cambridge Croquet Club, Australia)

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Details of Visit to see work progress and report by Paul Brown is here.

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Informal Summer AC competition won by Chris Rolph

Continuing for the first year the informal winter AC Hougon Trophy, the same group played over the summer for the Rottingdean Windmill trophy donated by John.

It was won by Chris Rolph who narrowly beat Chrissie on points, with David third. Hammy and John draw a large veil over theirs, but will do better in the winter event now started!

The aim of the group is to have an incentive to play competitive friendlies with players of similar ability.

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Sweden won the Tier 2 championship at Sussex County in the six day tournament which ran from 5 to 10th August. They beat Canada in the final 4-0.

In Tier 3, Scotland beat Germany to take the trophy and additionally beat Switzerland to be promoted into Tier 2 with Switzerland taking their place in Tier 3.

The Championship in a few figures: 42 inter-country tests, 237 matches, 575 individual games and more than 4,300 hoops run during the 6 days of the competition. With 11 lawns at our disposal but 12 country teams taking part in two blocks, one half of one test had to sit out in each session of play for the first two days of block play and make up the games later in the event, something we largely managed to do. The competition had one new country taking part - Hong Kong; they were playing in their first tournament and said they thoroughtly enjoyed themselves.

We were fortunate that the weather provided almost perfect conditions for play as the timetable was very tight, with play continuing until dusk on 4 of the six days (and beyond on one day!)

It seemed to be the case that a good proportion of players hadn’t met Quadway hoops before. They struggled initially as many shots bounced back which would have been bullied through on other hoops. The hoops were set to 1/32nd clearance and as we had had an extended dry spell, the ground was very firm by Southwick standards, so that may have contributed to the hoop challenge as much as anything. Whatever the causes, a very high proportion of hoops were strongly contested as players either blobbed the hoop or hesitated to run unless closer to the hoop than usual with the consequent risk of being cleared – and we saw a very high general standard of clearances. It was one of the great excitements of the competition to see players taking on long clearances and not just hitting the ball, but hitting it full centre!

The countries were represented by players of all ages from 80+ to 17 years old. Those of us playing on the UK south coast are more used to seeing a competition of – shall we say – the more mature age group. To see so many young players hitting with skill, strength and confidence made the spectator aware that croquet certainly has a great future as well as a past. I want to pay tribute to all the teams for playing the tournament in a very congenial and enjoyable manner.

Previous contact between Sussex County and photographer David McHugh led to an excellent article about the competition in the Times newspaper, followed by reports on radio and ITV; these were all good publicity for croquet.

The club put on a good show for the event and I have had several emails thanking us for our hospitality, so thanks to all who made it possible.

John Low
Manager

Organising a group photo before play starts

Portugal: Tier 3 Bronze Medalists

Germany: Tier 3 Silver Medalists

Scotland: Tier 3 Champions and winners of promotion to Tier 2

Part of Wales team: Tier 2 Bronze Medalists

Canada: Tier 2 Silver Medalists

Sweden: Tier 2 Champions and winners of promotion to Tier 1

Roberts Stafeckis, WCF Event Lead

Roberts Stafeckis presents Portugal medals with Manager John Low looking on

Ian Burridge

During the event Ian Burridge was presented with the WCF Hall of Fame Certificate for his lifetime commitment to croquet throughout his involvement with the sport - not only in his achievements in playing but also in improving the profile of croquet in his roles as Treasurer and President of the WCF.

Photos by Ray Hall

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