A busy week of croquet competition began with a Murphy Shield level play golf croquet match against Leicester at home on Tuesday, 6 June. Chester had earlier gained a walk-over win against Durham to get into the second round match of this national competition. The Leicester team arrived after a fairly long, arduous journey, but soon adapted to the vagaries of the sloping lawns and challenged the Chester team of Tom Grievson (captain), John Hampson, Sally Slater and Brian Lussey throughout the seven rubbers.
A very closely contested doubles game, which went to three golden hoops, saw Chester leading 3-0 at lunch. Another two rubbers were comfortably won in the afternoon and one game was drawn, giving a final score of 5-1 to Chester, who go on to meet Branston, Lincolnshire, on a neutral ground in the next round.
The following Thursday, 8 June, saw Chester’s two level play golf croquet teams in action. The Centurions played Bury away and the Chariots played Southport at home. The Chariots had a good day’s play even though it was a bit hot in the afternoon. Games were closely fought, the final score being Southport 11 and Chester 7. Meanwhile, at Bury the Centurions team of Tom Grievson (captain), Rick Davies and Mark Lloyd won convincingly by 16 games to 2.
Then, on Saturday, 10 June, Chester Senators played handicap golf croquet against the Llanfairfechan Pioneers at home. A gazebo was erected to provide shade from the expected very hot and sultry day and Chester’s strong team got off to a very good start by winning all but one of the first eight games. Chester’s Rick Davies and Ian Shaw continued with their winning ways and both ended the day with clean sheets and handicap rewards. Jude Wise and Sandy Grievson also had a good day with each losing only one of their games during the day. The final score was Chester 15 and Llanfairfechan 3.
Next, on Sunday, 11 June, Chester Tribunes travelled to Llanfairfechan to play their Dragons handicap golf croquet team. The weather started sunny although there was a sea fret which masked the sea views along the coast and the much anticipated sight of Puffin Island. Chester dominated the doubles with David Johnson (captain) and Brian Lussey winning 7 hoops to 4, and Laurence Cole and Sarah Clements also winning their doubles game 7 hoops to 4. Play then turned to the singles games as the Avanti trains rattled along the adjacent rail track. Special mention goes to Laurence Cole for winning three of his four singles games for Chester, and congratulations go to the Llanfairfechan Dragons team for winning the match overall, 12 games to 6.