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Chester Croquet Club played host to 51 young guides and rangers from the 1st Huntingdon troup on a sunny Tuesday evening, 10 September. The youngsters came for a fun game of croquet and after a brief introduction to the sport, enthusiastically joined in organised games with their friends. Many members of the club helped the girls play croquet during the session and afterwards with drinks and snacks. The evening was enjoyed by all.

On Saturday, 14 September, the Bowdon Blanks short lawn team visited Chester for their North West Federation league match. Bowdon fielded a very strong team of low handicap players, but the Chester team of Derek Bell-Jones, Jayne Taylor, Sally Slater and Andy Wilson-Chalon fought hard to give the visitors a good match. At lunch Bowdon were leading 5-3, but ran away with the match in the afternoon and the final score was 11-5. The weather was glorious and the match was played in very good humour.

A few days later on Tuesday, 17 September, a Chester team of Sally Slater (captain), Sarah Clements, Jayne Taylor and Helen Brophy travelled to Bowdon to play their other short lawn team, the Bowdon Bullets.

This turned out to be an equally challenging match, though at lunch all was square with 4 games each. In the afternoon the Bullets played very well and despite some very close games, including two going to a golden hoop, the final result was another win for Bowdon 11-5.

In another short lawn match on Wednesday, 18 September, Chester played away against Llanfairfechan, this being our first match in the Snowdonia Cup this year.

On a wonderful sunny day by the sea Chester’s team of Nigel Worthington, Andy Wilson-Chalon and Liz Rowley triumphed 6-3. We are now looking forward to our next match against Craig-y -Don on Saturday, 28 September.

Christine Long Trophy on Saturday, 21 September 2024

There is one place left to take part in this year’s competition for the Christine Long Trophy. This is a golf croquet tournament for players with a handicap of 5 (reduced from 6) or greater. It is an ideal for first competition for players new to the sport as well as experienced “Croqueters”. It will be played under the Advantage Handicap System. Just bring your handicap cards.

This is an all day event. The morning will consist of 4 groups of 4 playing a round Robin (3 games each). After lunch, the top 2 in each group will play Quarter Finals, Semi Finals and Final. Total of 6 games to win the trophy but everyone will have a minimum of 4 games. 3rd and 4th in each group will play in a plate in the same format.

As last year’s winner I can tell you that it is a fun day where the handicap system gives everyone a chance.

If you would like to be our final entrant please e-mail me directly.

I would be happy to answer any of your questions and look forward to seeing you all on the day.

For those who have already entered, details of arrangements for the day will be sent next week.

Happy Hoops!

Ian Meadows
In.meadows@icloud.com
07787 404890

 

This year’s Christine Long Trophy

Entries are invited for this year’s Christine Long Trophy. This is a Golf Croquet tournament for players with a handicap of 6 or greater. It is an ideal for first competition for players new to the sport as well as experienced “Croqueters”.

This is an all day event, the exact format of which is determined by the number of entrants. However, as an example, in a previous year there were 12 players, split into 2 groups of 6 for a round robin stage with semi finals and final.

As last year’s winner I can tell you that it is a fun day where the handicap system gives everyone a chance.

If you would like to enter please sign your name and e-mail address in the clubhouse (a list will be up in the next few days) or e-mail me directly. I would be happy to answer any of your questions and look forward to seeing you all on the day.

Ian Meadows
In.meadows@icloud.com
07787 404890

The inaugural B-Level and C-Level Chester Cup internal club golf croquet tournaments were both played on Friday, 13 September, at Chester. Eight Chester members in each tournament competed over all four lawns for the trophies on a dry and often sunny day. All competitors played three games in the morning session of all-play-all in blocks of four. In the afternoon knock-out all the morning leaders were eventually defeated in some exciting play. The B-Level was won by Jude Wise with Robin Tasker as runner-up. The C-Level winner was Mel Hagen with Rhia Taylor as runner-up.

Although we still have a few weeks of the season to run (hopefully), I am sending out this date for your diary.

We are holding our social and presentation end of season evening at Chez Jules, Northgate Street, Chester on Tuesday, 19 November, at 6.30 pm.

For those who haven’t been before it is a very convivial evening with good food, our own bar, presentation of trophies and a quiz. A great end to the season.

Unfortunately due to numbers restrictions we cannot invite partners, but hope that you will come along and sit with friends.

In order to get an idea of numbers please let me know if you would like to come.

See you there!

Sally Slater
E-mail: springboard_sally@hotmail.com

Chester was pleased to host again the NW Federation Millennium association croquet handicap tournament over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, 7-8 September.

The 2024 tournament was won by Phil Snowden from Fylde with a perfect return of five wins from his five matches which also resulted in his handicap being reduced from 8 to 7. In winning he demonstrated his skills in both lovely warm sunshine on the Saturday and driving rain on the Sunday. While he may indeed have had wet feet by the end – didn’t we all – his competitive spirit was not dampened by the experience.

There were eight entrants – from Fylde, Bowdon, Southport and Chester – to this tournament which was played as a five round Swiss format with 22-point, 2.5 hour time-limited games. The first round was pre-drawn and by chance resulted in some intra-club games: from Chester, Sarah Clements just prevailed against Andy Wilson-Chalon; from Bowdon, Robert Cutts-Watson had a slightly easier time against John Bagnall; and from Southport, Peter Williams edged past David Venables in a low scoring game. In the remaining game of the round Phil Snowden began his remorseless progress by beating David Beddy from Bowdon.

Through the rest of Saturday the players were fortified with tea and coffee, cake and scones such that at the end of the day while Phil was out front, he was closely followed by David B, Robert and Peter each with two wins. And so all to play for on the Sunday.

Sunday was dank and damp with conditions steadily deteriorating into heavy, steady rain where the manager was pleased to be wearing full waterproofs with an umbrella and the opportunity to retreat to the pavilion when necessary. And it seemed to be necessary for much of the time.

The players meanwhile continued; the fourth round results meant that only two players could win the event and if Phil gained 11 hoops even in defeat in the fifth round he would be the 2024 champion. In the event and on adjacent rain-sodden lawns Phil reached the 11 hoop mark at precisely the time Robert was defeated and thus Phil became the 2024 Millennium association croquet handicap champion.

Many thanks are due to all the players for their perseverance in trying conditions; for the sporting approach to their games; and for their determination to enjoy themselves. Well, that’s what they told me. Thanks are also due to Chester members for helping in setting out the courts and for providing refreshment across the weekend.

Robin Tasker

Neck and neck: the only way to describe this match, the Murphy Shield semi-final against Watford at Kenilworth on Tuesday, 3 September.

First of all thanks to Kenilworth for providing the excellent venue for this match (as near as we could get to halfway between Chester and Watford). Playing for Chester were Tom Grievson, Martyn Seal, Sarah Clements and Liz Jordan.

Watford set off quickly winning the doubles match in two straight games, but both of the morning’s singles games went to the best of three, with Chester and Watford winning one each to make the score Watford 2 Chester 1 at lunch.

But in the afternoon, Chester won the first match, then Watford edged back in front with the second, before Chester equalized in the third, bringing the score to 3-all with one to play.  Literally one to play, because by then Sarah (for Chester) and John (for Watford) were already at one game all in their best of three match.  But Sarah and John ramped up the tension even further by getting to the Golden Hoop at 6 points all.  But Sarah just edged the victory for Chester.

Commiserations to Watford to lose by such a close margin, but congratulations to Chester, who now go on to play Sussex County in this year’s final for the Murphy Shield.

On Monday, 2 September, the Club’s annual full-lawn AC  handicap competition for the Mason Cup took place. There was a field of eight players who took part in a 5-round Swiss format tournament with games played as 14-point matches limited to 1 hour duration with handicaps adjusted accordingly.

The added novelty for 2024 was that seemingly each round was played in different climatic condition from a mellow, misty Autumn day through heavy tropical rain and finishing in glorious warm sunshine. The common factor throughout was that people played with wet feet…

After the first 3 rounds the field was well spread with three players on 2 wins and one out in front undefeated at which point lunch was taken with the chance to dry out somewhat and to recharge energy levels.

The afternoon rounds were conclusive and while three players managed three wins from their five matches only Roger Brooks was undefeated with five wins and 65 hoops points accumulated from a theoretical maximum of 70.

And with that conclusive outcome Roger Brooks was deservedly presented with the Mason Cup at the end of the day. And thanks to all who took part for their enthusiastic sporting play in trying conditions.

On a glorious sunny day on the last day of August, eight short lawn association players fought it out in this year’s short lawn open competition. There were two groups of 4 arranged according to handicap and each group played the other three players in their group. The winner of each group then played the final, which was between Jayne Taylor and Sally Slater. Most games were very close and it was a hugely enjoyable day of croquet.  In the end, Jayne Taylor won her last match 14-7 and received the award of Short Lawn Open Champion 2024 from the runner-up and competition organiser, Sally Slater.

On the following day, Sunday, 1 September, Chester travelled to Bowdon for their final fixture of the season in the Advanced B Level League with both teams in contention to be this year’s winner. The day was largely warm and dry although a heavy downpour and ominous thunder accompanied the afternoon session.

In the morning Mark Lloyd and Robin Tasker played the doubles and won a tight game by two hoops, while David Guyton was defeated by a much lower handicapped player to leave the match 1-1 at lunch.

In the afternoon Chester excelled winning all three singles games, played as ever on Bowdon’s immaculate lawns, to take the match by 4-1.

The result leaves Chester at the top of the league with Bowdon requiring a 5-0 victory in their final match to take the title. We shall see…

 

 

On Monday, 19 August, Chester played away against Bowdon in the North West Federation association croquet full lawn 14 point handicap league. This was the club’s last match of the season in this new league. Team members were Robin Tasker (captain), John Hampson, Brian Walton and Andy Wilson-Chalon.

The lawns had been cut recently and were playing well. The whole day was overcast and the rain held off until after lunch but then lasted only an hour. An experienced Bowdon team, armed with their bisques, made for a challenging day. Most of the Chester team had some successes, which was rewarding for the individuals, but overall it was disappointing to finish the 14 point season with a 5 – 11 loss for Chester.

As it was the first season for the new 14 point league,  all members of the squad are being invited to offer their views on all aspects of the format in anticipation of a general post mortem by the Federation in planning for next year.

On the following Saturday, 24 August, Robin Tasker and Brian Walton were in action again together with David Boyd in a three man team in a home match against Bury in the North West Federation advanced B-level league.

In the morning, on another cool August day, Robin Tasker and Brian Walton played the doubles game and, after a slow start by both sides, pulled away with two good breaks to take the lead. David Boyd playing the morning singles game established a healthy lead early on but a late break by his opponent made for a tense finish with Chester winning by a single point for 2 – 0 lead at lunch.

The three singles games in the afternoon were all competitive. Robin Tasker lost to his much lower handicapped opponent whereas David Boyd comfortably beat his higher handicapped opponent. The third singles was an excitingly tense match with Brian Walton behind for much of the time against an opponent hitting in and running hoops fearlessly. However a late break by Brian saw him overhaul his opponent to give Chester a 4 -1 victory for the day.

With later confirmation that Chester’s forthcoming match against Pendle has been conceded by Pendle, Chester has moved to joint top of the league level with Bowdon and the two clubs are due to compete in Chester’s last match of the season for this league this coming Sunday, 1 September, though Bowdon have one further match to play.

Two new golf croquet competitions for Chester members will be held on Friday, 13 September 2024.

Chester Cup B-Level is for players with handicaps of 3 to 6 inclusive.
Chester Cup C-Level is for players with handicaps of 7 to 12 inclusive

Both competitions will be played under Croquet England Tournament Regulations – level play (no handicaps) with no time limits. Three games before lunch and two games after lunch.

B-Level will be played on lawns 1 and 2 with C-Level on 3 and 4. Entries are restricted to 8 players for each Level.

Strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries and cream will be provided at lunchtime.

Please sign-up with me at grievsontom@gmail.com for a place quoting your current handicap number. If you have any questions you can also ring me on 07801665993.

Tom Grievson
E-mail: grievsontom@gmail.com
Mobile: 07801665993