On Monday, 4 May, short lawn association croquet players from Chester Croquet Club faced players from York Croquet Club in the first round of the national Inter Club Short Lawn competition organized by Croquet England.
This was the first time Chester had taken part in this knockout competition, and facing that match on a Bank Holiday Monday proved to be the first major challenge ! Not surprisingly, many members of the club had other family things to do on that day. Sarah Clements, Rick Davies, Jayne Taylor and Doreen Curtis faced an experienced team from York, and particular cheers to Doreen who has only recently started to play association croquet, stepping up to the mark to play in her first match for the club, and along with Rick securing a win for Chester in the doubles game. Whilst only 2 of the singles games were secured for Chester, two others were very close, with only one hoop difference. Whilst the match was lost 8 – 3 to York, the day was a very enjoyable one, with many useful lessons learnt, in good company.
In the vernacular of two esteemed Roman cities, Eboracum superavit Cestriam – York beat Chester.