News
Dominic beats Morgan in Quaich
This match, which I think was the last of the Club finals to be played this season, took place on the morning of Sunday 23rd October.
In spite of the gloomy weather forecast the contestants, Dominic Nunns and Morgan Case agreed to go ahead with this rescheduled event. A postponement had been needed owing to Dom falling victim to Covid recently. This meant to ensure everything was completed before the presentation evening next Friday, Dom had two finals to fit in over the weekend. Having been unsuccessful in his AC Gold Cup match yesterday against Paul Castell, was Sunday going to reward him?
As previously arranged with the Competitions Organiser Graham, I was to be the on call referee of this final.
We had a slight delay to the start time when Morgan’s train from Hove was cancelled. After being contacted Dom kindly diverted on his way from Burgess Hill to pick up Morgan at Hove station. It was dry and overcast at the start. A heavy downpour half way through the first game caused an interruption in play for a few minutes but we were soon able to continue and the match finished in bright sunshine.
The croquet was to a high standard from both players who produced an entertaining spectacle worthy of a final. It was a shame there weren’t more spectators to witness the precision clearing, hoop running and good tactics on display.
Game 1 was level at 3-3 then Dom edged ahead to win it 7-4
Game 2 followed a similar pattern this time level at 4-4 before Dom was able get ahead to win 7-4.
The games were closer than the final score line suggest and Morgan can be proud of his efforts. In my opinion Dom’s advantage came from his ability to clear a considerable distance whilst advancing his own ball towards the next hoop on more occasions than Morgan.
As referee I was only called upon once, to clarify the options available after a wrong ball had been played.
Well done to both players I really enjoyed the morning as the referee and sole spectator!
Match report by
Richard Brooks
Wins for Tony Jolly, David King and Martin Daniels.
Congratulations to Tony Jolly, David King and Martin Daniels for winning the three blocks in the GC one day competition. Thanks to Vincent L'Estrange for managing it and to Karen Hayton and Anne Stanton for the lunch.
Full Results
| Block A | RB | LF | MH | MC | TJ | CM | JI | CH | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Brooks | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 2 | ||
| Liz Farrow | 5 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 7 | ||
| Mark Hamilton | 4 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 3 | ||
| Morgan Case | 6 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 5 | ||
| Tony Jolly | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 1 | ||
| Chrissie Merrington | 5 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 4 | ||
| Jonathan Isaacs | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 8 | ||
| Chris Heath | 7 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 6 |
Tony Jolly, Block A winner
| Block B | FL | AS | SA | BG | JL | DK | SC | VL | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frances Low | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 6 | ||
| Andrew Stewart | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 8 | ||
| Simon Ancell | 5 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 3 | ||
| Bridget Goodman | 6 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 7 | ||
| John Low | 7 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 4 | ||
| David King | 7 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 1 | ||
| Steve Chapman | 7 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 2 | ||
| Vincent L'Estrange | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 5 |
David King, Block B winner
| Block C | PH | AG | JR | DS | MD | KY | PG | RR | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Harrison | 4 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 6 | ||
| Alan Grundy | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 3 | ||
| Jill Richardson | 7 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 4 | ||
| Douglas Shand | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 2 | ||
| Martin Daniels | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 1 | ||
| Konstantin Yudintsev | 7 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 7 | ||
| Paul Green | 7 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 5 | ||
| Richard Relf | 1 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 8 |
Vincent L'Estrange, Manager
Why is Mark's picture here?
No money earned from Betfred for the Club! Mark is here because he was able to play as it's a Saturday. More of these competitions at the weekend was the request of a good number of players - calendar organisers, please note!
Club's Federation U League Report
The U league is an AC handicap series with no restriction on the handicaps of players. A team of four plays one doubles game and 2 singles in the morning and four singles in the afternoon. The total of seven games removes the possibility of draw. There are 2 home and 2 away fixtures allocated by the Federation match secretary.
This year fewer members than usual were free for selection and the variety of major fixtures at Southwick restricted availability of lawns and players. The teams were composed from the available players: Bruce Carr, Chrissie Merrington, Clive Grimley, Deborah Marcus, Ray Hall, Robin Wootton, Robyn Clark.
We played Rother Valley (away, 1-6) after postponements for excessive heat and excessive flooding respectively; Caterham (home, 3-4) ; Royal Tunbridge Wells (home 4-3). We did not play Compton (away) though we raised teams for two dates which were withdrawn and then the club was unable to offer lawns on a third set of dates. We thereby ended in mid-table (7th of 13).
Ray Hall
A tribute to Pam Arliss
Pam Arliss died peacefully on 20th September 2022. Pam joined the club in 1989. Pam will be known to those of us who have been members for a long time as an accomplished player and she did a considerable amount for the club, especially on the catering side.
Jonathan Isaacs looks back at her connection with croquet and the club:
Pam’s involvement with Croquet started in the Summer of 1989 when Bill arrived back from a business trip to Bangkok to be told by Pam that they needed to do more together and that the Croquet Club had an Open Day and they were going that afternoon. Bill obeyed! later that day, even with Bill’s jetlag, they fell in love with the game and joined the club immediately.
Bill and Pam both proved to be very good players and soon started playing and winning tournaments around the country often as a doubles partnership.
Pam also took on an active role in the croquet scene becoming a both qualified CA coach and referee.
In addition to all her on court activities, she became a leader in the canteen producing many excellent buffets and delightful cakes.
Pam went “International” in 2002, when Bill was awarded a place in The GC World Championship at Palm Springs. Apart from accompanying Bill, Pam ended up refereeing a number of matches at the Championship including faulting the then reigning Egyptian World Champion!
A group of us had the pleasure of accompanying Pam & Bill on their 50th wedding anniversary when the CA had been asked to arrange a croquet tournament of top players to showcase a new cruise liner - Celebrity Equinox which was moored at Southampton. The Players and Organisers having completed the tournament on the 15th deck, under the gaze of the International press, we were given a free overnight cruise. This proved to be a lovely way for Pam and Bill to celebrate their 50th anniversary in the company of the croquet community.
By 2012 Pam was having problems with her ankle and eventually had to give up play. However she still continued to help the club by making numerous tray bakes and assisting Bill managing federation tournaments.
More recently her health went downhill but she still used to visit Southwick to watch play on her mobility scooter or from the club car park.
Pam was a truly thoughtful person, always having time for other people, remembering the highlights in their lives.
Above all she was Bill’s “Rock” and will be sadly missed.
Many other members or past members will remember her as an active club supporter in getting new members; as Gerald and Pam Gooders put it:
When we were reaching retirement, about 25 years ago, we were looking for something we could do together. I suggested bowls but Pam suggested croquet. On our way to the Holmbush Centre we called in to the Club and Pam was the first person to welcome us and before we knew it, we had mallets in our hands and were introduced to Don Mears as new members. It has been a big part of our retirement and we will always remember Pam's friendly welcome.
As Jonathan indicated, Pam had to give up playing for health reasons but continued to support club activities and attended many social functions.
The wider croquet community in the South East will remember her for the help she gave Bill in running the Federation tournaments. And for many who played in those, the abiding memory of Pam will be of her with the hooter in one hand and a cigarette in the other!
GC Doubles Competition 7th October
The winners of Block A were Brian Aikens and Ivan Segal. The winners of Block B were Liz Drury and Tony James. Congratulations to them and thanks to Noel Gill for managing the competition, and to Marion King and Anne Gill for the lunch.
| Block A | RB&DK | JH&NH | BA&IS | AH< | AS&CK | BG&JP | TJ&FP | RC> | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Brooks & David King | 7 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 3 | ||
| Jane Humphries & Neal Humphreys | 3 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 4 | ||
| Brian Aikens & Ivan Segal | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 1 | ||
| Andrea Huxley & Louise Taylor | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 7 | ||
| Andrew Stewart & Cathy Kirkby | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 6 | ||
| Bridget Goodman & Jane Powell | 4 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 9 | ||
| Tony Jolly & Fiona Phillips | 7 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 8 | ||
| Richard Carline & Gavin Taylor | 4 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 5 |
| Block B-1 | FL&KY | FA&MA | LD&TJ | SC&PM | VY&PG | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linda Gavigan & Chris Heath | 7 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 4 |
| Anne Bolland & Fran Box | 7 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 2 |
| Richard & Trish Ellis | 4 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 10 |
| Martin Daniels & Wendy Harris | 4 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 8 |
| Rosemary Gebhardt & Linda Pini | 6 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 7 |
| Block B-2 | LG&CH | AB&FB | R&TE | MD&WH | RG&LP | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frances Low & Konstantin Yudintsev | 3 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 5 |
| Francis Ainley & Mike Akester | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 3 |
| Liz Drury & Tony James | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| Sue Caulfield & Pat Mechen | 3 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 9 |
| Victoria Yudintseva & Paul Green | 4 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 6 |
Singles competition abandoned
A short report of today's (non) event.
27 hardy souls braved the rain to start this tournament. It was decided to play the games as prepared but in view of the weather no jumping was allowed so handicaps were not affected. After about 2 hours, with no sign of the rain abating and with standing water on the lawns, play was abandoned for the day.
It was the manager's second attempt to run a tournament in two weeks. This one was slightly more successful as it at least started; the first one was cancelled without a ball being struck. His next attempt is 22 October so think carefully before entering!
It is with sadness that I have to report that Pam Arliss passed away last Monday. Pam joined
the club in 1989. Pam will be known to some of you as an accomplished player and she did a
considerable amount for the club, especially on the catering side, running catering for the summer school week.
Our thoughts are with Bill at this time
A fuller tribute will be published in due course.
As you know a public holiday has been declared on Monday 19 September for Queen
Elizabeth’s funeral. The committee has decided that as a mark of respect the club
will be closed that day.
Sussex Open GC Championship
A brief report as the Webmaster is on his holidays.
Winner - Dominic Aarvold
5th 8th play off- Ignacio Gross Ariza
Bowl - Liz Farrow
Plate - Neil Humphreys
Full results are on CroquetScores
Very grateful thanks to Chris Constable for managing a difficult tournament so ably.
CA GC Interclub semi final
This was played against Watford at Sussex County Croquet Club on a damp day (Weds 14th sept) after several postponements.
Unfortunately our lowest handicappers were unavailable and so in the morning Liz and Paul took on Nick and Jason who were both -3. We managed to take one game in the doubles but lost 2 -1. Daphne lost to Simon and Noel beat Kevin .
In the afternoon, both Liz and Paul lost while Noel beat Simon and , as we knew by then that we had lost the match, Daphne and Kevin drew 1 all.
A match where Watford won 4 -2 with one drawn game.
CA Interclub is quite a commitment as you could end up playing in the North, South, East or West of the country according to how the draw goes.
We played and beat Woking at Woking, East Dorset at East Dorset, then lost to Watford, who will now play a very strong Roehampton team.
My thanks to all those who have played this competition for the club. Richard, Bob, Ian, Roger, Ben, Noel, Paul and Daphne.
Liz Farrow