On the hottest day so far this year Chester played at home against Pendle and Craven in the NW Federation 26 point association croquet handicap league on Sunday, 24 May. Playing for Chester were Robin Tasker (captain), David Guyton, Richard Smith and Andy Wilson-Chalon. Under rising temperatures which reached a peak of 26.5° celsius in the afternoon and overshooting hoop approaches and boundary lines on dry and fast lawns, both teams found it difficult to establish good breaks. Except when in action on the lawns, players on both sides sought shade and plentiful liquid refreshment under a summer gazebo – what a change from the previous week when teams were seeking protection from rain and chilly winds. In the morning Pendle won the doubles and one of the two singles games and in the afternoon both teams won two of the four singles games. The overall result was a 4 – 3 win for Pendle.
If Sunday was hot, bank holiday Monday was even hotter with the temperature in Westminster Park reaching 33° celsius when Chester were playing away against Birkdale in the NW Federation golf croquet level play league.