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In another busy week nearing the end of the competitive season, Chester fielded teams in four NW Federation leagues, losing one but then winning three in a row. After several spells of unsually hot weather and prolonged periods without rain from the spring through to August, September has been marked by a distinct change in the weather with lower temperatures and intermittent but recurring rain which has been welcomed by parched lawns everywhere.

On Wednesday, 10 September, Chester Centurions played away against Southport in the golf croquet level play league. In a well fought match Southport emerged in the lead winning 11 games against Chester’s 7.

Two days later on Friday, 12 September, Chester played Ellesmere at home in the golf croquet handicap league. The Chester Senators team comprised Arnie Banford (captain), Doreen Curtis, David Mann and Rhia Taylor. Play commenced at 10.00 am and finished by 3.30 pm. Fortunately, the rain held off and the day was largely sunny. Every game was played in good spirits, some being very close-run, and everyone agreed that it was a most enjoyable day with a final score of Chester 13 and Ellesmere 5.

Next day Chester’s short lawn team welcomed the Bowdon Weekenders on Saturday, 13 September. The weather was an interesting mix of sunshine, rain and some windy gusts, and the grass was greener than it has been all summer resulting in slower moving balls and the need to wield the mallet more strongly.

The Chester team for this match was Sarah Clements (captain), Helen Brophy, Ant Fletcher and Andy Wilson-Chalon. Chester emerged ahead in the first rounds of play but Bowdon caught up and had the potential to draw the fixture after lunch. Having a home advantage, Chester eventually won the match 10 games to 6. The Bowdon players helped with refereeing decisions as well as giving some coaching tips, which were gratefully received, and all in all it was a very friendly encounter between the two clubs.

Then on Sunday, 14 September, a Chester team of Robin Tasker (captain), David Boyd and David Guyton travelled to Bury for the club’s final match in the NW Advanced B Level association croquet league. Chester went into this match top of the league and knowing that a 4 – 1 win or better would give them the league title. Any less and if Crake, who were playing away at Bowden, were able to win 5 – 0, they would become this year’s champions.

The lawns at Bury were green and lush after recent rains and it was a pleasure to play on them. In the morning Robin Tasker won a difficult singles game while David Boyd and David Guyton held on to win the doubles by a single point. So 2 – 0 to Chester by lunchtime. Rain was forecast from about 1 pm. It arrived on time and became heavier during the afternoon with strong gusts of wind scattering leaves and twigs across the lawns, enough to be a nuisance but not enough to halt play. Robin Tasker was able to win his game quickly to give Chester a winning lead. The remaining singles games were hard fought with both going Bury’s way although the last game in play with David Guyton going to a golden hoop after a draw when time was called. The result was a 3 – 2 win for Chester.

The overall result for the season came from Bowdon where Crake had won 3 – 2 and, with that result, confirmation that Chester had won the league retaining the title they won in 2024.

Ten association croquet players competed in the club’s internal open short lawn competition on Monday, 8 September. A brief rain shower interrupted play in the afternoon but otherwise it was a lovely day weatherwise and played in a great spirit.

The players were split into two groups and all played all in their group, plus an extra game played across both halves.

Lunch was eaten on the hoof to keep the day moving forward and all games were finished by 4.45 pm.

The trophy winner was Sarah Clements who won all 5 of her games, and runner up was Ant Fletcher with 4 wins. Acknowledgement to Rick Davies who has only recently started playing association croquet and came equal third with Roger Brooks, winning 3 of his games.

On the previous day, Sunday, 7 September, Chester Croquet Club were pleased to welcome the annual visit of members of MENSA. The day was disrupted by heavy rain, but nevertheless the 14 players were able to squeeze in one or two games, and enjoyed the tea and cakes provided despite the adverse weather.

Chester Croquet Club held its annual tournament for the Fletton Trophy on Saturday, 30 August. The Fletton Trophy is an advanced association croquet tournament played, this year, as a 14 point competition with five games each of 60 minutes played over the course of a single day. Seven members took part in the tournament with handicaps ranging from – 0.5 to 8.

The day started in bright sunshine but with rain forecast during the afternoon which duly arrived – enough to be a nuisance to the players but not enough to stop play or to repenish the parched lawns which were running fast and somewhat erractically and are craving for some heavy and prolonged downpours.

James Thomas and Robin Tasker emerged in leading positions, winning four games each, with James Thomas edging ahead to finish as overall winner based on hoops run with Robin Tasker as runner-up.

Friday, 22 August, provided another close, hard-fought match, this time involving the association croquet short lawn teams of Chester and Tattenhall facing each other in another round of the Snowdonia Cup competition, in the lovely setting of the Flacca Field at Tattenhall. The Chester team of Nigel Worthington, Andy Wilson-Chalon and Jayne Taylor fought hard but just lost out by 4 games to 5.

The following day, Saturday, 23 August, brought more success for Chester when a short lawn team of Helen Brophy, Andy Wilson-Chalon, Michael Fletcher and Rick Davies (playing in his first association croquet match) played a team from Bury in a NW Federation league match at Westminster Park. It was neck and neck all the way until the last round of four games when Chester secured three wins against Bury’s one  giving the home team overall victory, Chester 9 Bury 7

Chester Centurions played Crake Valley at home on Wednesday, 20 August, in the NW Federation level play golf croquet league.

The teams assembled on a cloudy, dry, but somewhat chilly morning, and after the usual exchanges of greetings, got on with the match.

The lawns, freshly “mown”, were running exceptionally fast and frustration was etched on the faces of visitors and home team alike as balls rolled on and on and on …………… !  Accordingly, players in both team had to work hard to make skillful adjustments to their shots and some excellent croquet was played throughout despite the erratic and unforgiving lawns.

Luckily – but perhaps unluckily for the lawns – rain held off and by 4 pm the sun broke through the clouds to give a bright finish to the day.

Overall, an enjoyable day was had by all, with Chester winning the day, 13 to 5.

On Saturday, 17 August, Chester Croquet Club held the first of what may become an annual One Ball competition with the aim of providing a shared event for both association croquet and golf croquet players. The day started mild but overcast. As the day progressed the sunshine and temperature increased reaching 28° in the afternoon. After several weeks of exceptionally dry weather, the lawns were very dry and unpredictable especially around several hoops.

Fifteen members took part in the competition divided into two blocks. In one block of eight, each competitor played seven games, and in the other block of seven, each competitor played six games. An established formula was applied to generate fair handicaps for both association croquet and golf croquet players.  The format of the game has elements of hoop approaches and hoop running which are well practised by golf croquet players and elements of hitting an opponent’s ball and earning extra shots which are familiar to association croquet players. Club chairman, Tom Grievson, managed the competition and was kept busy throughout the day scheduling a multitude of games and diverse handicaps and keeping track of the results.

David Boyd, one of the club’s relatively few hybrid association and golf croquet players, emerged as overall winner, winning six of his games, and was rewarded with a well-earned bottle of champagne for his achievement. Kevin Taylor and Roger Brookes both won five of their games with Kevin Taylor leading in second place and Roger Brookes in third place based on the number of hoops scored. Jude Wise won four of her games and achieved fourth place.

It was a challenging but enjoyable day and a rare occasion when association and golf croquet players can meet and compete on a level playing field – but, being Chester,  the playing field is never level. A generous supply of strawberries, blueberries and cream kept all the competitors well nourished and sustained  throughout. Thanks to everyone who arranged and took part in the new event.

A car window sticker version of the new club logo is now available.

This version is viewable from both sides, is easy to apply and is smaller than the sew-on or iron-on badges, 50 mm diameter rather than 75 mm.  Price £1.50 each from Jayne Taylor at jaytay20ch@aol.com or 07810892311.

Clothing with club logo

If you would like any items from the Darts catalogue with our embroidered logo please let me know.

The latest info on their range of goods  will be on their website (dartschester.co.uk) and last year’s catalogue is in the pavilion.

I will be checking their current prices shortly but usually rates are cheaper when we have six or more items to order

Also please let me know if you would be interested in buying embroidered badges to stitch on yourself.

Email me direct on jaytay20ch@aol.com.

Jayne Taylor

On Saturday, 9 August, a Chester Senators team travelled to Craig-y-Don for a North West golf croquet handicap league match.

The first rounds of doubles on a warm but blustery day saw Chester’s Edward Baskerville and David Johnson beat their hosts 7 – 4 while Sandy Grievson and Liz Baskerville were defeated 7 – 3 by Craig-y-Don.

The morning singles games favoured Craig-y-Don until a late run by Sandy, David and Edward evened the scores to 5 – 5.

After lunch Craig-y-Don started to draw ahead in some very tightly fought games, and by 4.30 pm had secured a victory of 10 wins to Chester’s 8.

Thank you to Craig-y-Don for such a warm, friendly welcome and to Lorna Challinor for the delicious chocolate brownies which we all enjoyed in the sunshine.

On the following Monday, 11 August, a Chester short lawn team playing at home against Llanfairfechan started its defence of the Snowdonia Cup won last year.

In a closely competitive match on a hot sunny day the Chester team of Nigel Worthington, Sally Slater and Andy Chaolon-Wilson won 5 – 4 with three of the nine matches going to golden hoop, a sure sign of a close match.

Deva Rotary Club made a welcome return visit to Chester Croquet Club on Tuesday evening, 5 August, for one of their meetings. After a swift introduction, as they had played before, the group split into pairs to practise then play some games.

Much fun was had by all and the Air Ambulance charity benefitted by a charity donation from the club.