News
It may only be January but you can start thinking about the coming croquet season and make you entries to our program of club competitions in GC, AC and, for the first time this season, Short Croquet (SC).
GC Competitions
All the favourite competitions are there with a couple of changes. Some of the competition formats have been changed between blocks and knockouts to take account of changing popularity of the different events. There are also two NEW competitions: the Southwick Cup, a knockout event for GC players of C level (handicap 7 or over); and a GC Super Vets Cup, for which you must be 80 years young.
AC Competitions
Roger Sutton, Graham Tucker (our new Club Competitions Secretary) and the Committee have made a number of changes to the AC competition list to address the sadly reduced entry levels for some of our cups. The Fryer and Franc Cup competitions, which were gendered competitions for similar skill ranges, have been combined into a new Franc Cup for all players with AC handicaps of 16 or below (handicap play). The Hazel Parker Cup has been dropped.
Short Croquet
For the first time the Club is offering a Short Croquet competition using the now redundant Hazel Parker Trophy. For those who don't know, SC is a form of AC played on a half lawn to slightly different rules. There is a fuller explanation of SC on this website here. Frances Low and her team of coaches have been running coaching sessions in SC over the winter season and there are more to follow. These are primarily aimed at GC players who would like to try a different form of the game.
Read the Rules!
Before entering the competitions, Graham would appreciate it if you headed over to the two rules pages on this site: rules for GC competitions are here; and you can find the AC and SC ones on this page. The can be found in the menu under Croquet - Club & Team Competitions - GC (or AC) Summer Season Competitions. It is important to read these before entering as the handicap ranges for a number of competitions have been altered from last season.
There is also an important change for those occasions when you can't play a match. If you cannot play an opponent YOU MUST NOT OFFER THEM A WALKOVER, instead please contact Graham Tucker who will arrange a replacement player or other solution.
Graham Tucker will be running explanatory sessions in February and March to help members choose which competitions to enter, to outline the other competitive opportunities (team play in friendly matches, leagues, open competitions) and how to make entries on the online entry system.
Entry Form
The entry form can be found in the menu system under Croquet - Club & Team Competitions - Enter summer club competitions
Enjoy the summer season of competitive club croquet at Southwick!
Winter Drawn Pairs Competition Finals
Congratulations to Bob and Susan for winning the final stage of the competition in which the four finalists played in a single block.
Congratulations also to the other finalists who went forward to the final stage of the competition: Graham Tucker & Jerry Key; Liz Farrow & Angela Avis; Robyn Clark & Richard Pointon.
Full results
| Block A | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Wins | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.Bob Clark & Susan Caulfield | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 21 | 1 | |
| 2.Simon Ancell & Simon Fenn-Tye | 5 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 19 | 2 | |
| 3.Frances Low & Susan Gale | 6 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 4 | |
| 4.Philip Harrison & Elizabeth Bell | 3 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 15 | 3 |
| Block B | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Wins | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.Morgan Case & Pat Harden | 2 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 15 | 3 | |
| 2.Roger Sutton & Jenny Sutton | 7 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 14 | 4 | |
| 3.Graham Tucker & Jerry Key | 4 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 18 | 1 | |
| 4.Fiona Phillips & Amy Tucker | 7 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 2 |
| Block C | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Wins | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.Liz Farrow & Angela Avis | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 21 | 1 | |
| 2.Gerald Gooders & Rachel Pointon | 6 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 19 | 2 | |
| 3.Rosemary Faulkner & Martin Avis | 4 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 16 | 4 | |
| 4.Ian Johnson & Stephen Westwood | 4 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 16 | 3 |
| Block D | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Wins | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.Pam Gooders & David Comber | 5 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 19 | 2 | |
| 2.Robyn Clark & Richard Pointon | 7 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 20 | 1 | |
| 3.Richard Ellis & Trish Ellis | 5 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 18 | 3 | |
| 4.Linda Gavigan & Denise Johnson | 4 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 12 | 4 |
Finals Block
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Wins | Points | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.Bob Clark & Susan Caulfield | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 21 | 1 | |
| 2.Liz Farrow & Angela Avis | 3 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 17 | 2 | |
| 3.Graham Tucker & Jerry Key | 3 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 14 | 4 | |
| 4.Robyn Clark & Richard Pointon | 6 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 16 | 3 |
Soup warms the players in November's GC Singles One-day Competition - and only a little rain!
Four blocks of players competed today in this GC competition. Each block represented a handicap range.
The winners were (in reverse order handicap group): Francis Ainley, who won all his games; Richard Ellis with 4/5 wins; Tony Jolly with 4/5 wins; and Richard Brooks who won all his games. Congratulations to all and very many thanks to Jonathan for managing the day so well.
Full results
| Block A | IC | RS | RB | NH | LF | CH | BA | JH | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ian Cobbold | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 8 | ||
| Roger Sutton | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 3 | ||
| Richard Brooks | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 1 | ||
| Neil Humphreys | 7 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 5 | ||
| Liz Farrow | 7 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 7 | ||
| Chris Heath | 5 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 6 | ||
| Brian Aikens | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 2 | ||
| Jane Humphreys | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 4 |
| Block B | RW | TJ | DK | AS | RC | JL | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robin Wootton | 5 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 5 | |
| Tony Jolly | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 1 | |
| David King | 7 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 | |
| Andrew Stewart | 7 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 4 | |
| Richard Carline | 2 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 6 | |
| John Low | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 2 |
| BLOCK C | FL | GT | AG | RE | BC | GT | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frances Low | 7 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 2 | |
| Graham Tucker | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 | |
| Alan Grundy | 4 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 5 | |
| Richard Ellis | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 1 | |
| Bruce Carr | 4 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 3 | |
| Gavin Taylor | 6 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 |
| Block D | PM | CC | FA | VL | AP | LG | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Mechen | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 2 | |
| Carol Collins | 5 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 5 | |
| Frances Ainley | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 1 | |
| Vincent L'Estrange | 3 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 4 | |
| Alan Price | 4 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 6 | |
| Linda Gavigan | 7 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 |
Short Croquet Course completed at Club
The Croquet Academy has just finished a 4 module introduction to AC Short Croquet. It was the first time we have tried this type of course and it seems to have been well received. The shorter days – 10.15-3.15 – made it easier to absorb and still gave time to practise and exchange ideas and opinions. 4 modules gave us time to present the Short Croquet with the learning of the strokes and some strategies, and to put the ideas into practice. Of course, a short court made everything less overwhelming!
There were 12 participants which was ideal. 3 coaches could be used on a 1 to 4 ratio and so a lot of information could be given and hopefully absorbed!
This course was part of a special winter one and there was a generous discount for SCCC members. There will be follow up sessions for the players on this course in 2022.
If any other SCCC members would like to learn Short Croquet please get in touch with me and we will see what Beginner’s courses we can offer next year. The Academy will offer some courses for Short croquet so please look them up.
Thanks to the coaches – Daphne, Clive, Jonathan, John, Chrissie - for their support, and valuable input.
Frances Low (Lead Coach)
GC Doubles one-day competition 5th November
No fireworks but an enjoyable day of Golf Croquet today for 22 doubles teams in three blocks graded by ability.
The top block played 7 games and was won by Brian Aikens & Paul Hilton who won 6/7 games. The middle block played six games (an incomplete block) and was won by Di Langridge & Sue Rice with 5/6 wins. The third block played 5 games and was won by Frances Low & Richard Ellis with 4/5 wins.
Thanks to Frances for managing the event.
Full results
| A | RBF | BA&PH | CH&LG | RS&CM | CK&AS | T&SN | RW< | GT&RC | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R.Brooks&E.Farrow | 7 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 4 | |
| B.Aikens & P.Hilton | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 1 | |
| C.Heath & L.Gavigan | 6 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 8 | |
| R.Sutton & C.Merrington | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 3 | |
| C.Kirkby & A.Stewart | 7 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 6 | |
| T. & S. Nicholas | 3 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| R.Wootton & L.Taylor | 7 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 7 | |
| G.Taylor & R.Carline | 6 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 2 |
| B | JI | R&JS | PA&HB | B&KH | DL&SR | PH&MA | TJ&ED | GT&FB | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J&C Isaacs | 6 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 5 | ||
| R & J. Soffe | 6 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 8 | ||
| P.Adams & H.Bird | 7 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 3 | ||
| B & K. Hughes | 7 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 6 | ||
| D. Langridge & S.Rice | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 1 | ||
| P.Harrison & M.Akester | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 7 | ||
| T.James & E.Drury | 5 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 4 | ||
| G.Tucker & F.Box | 6 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 2 |
| C | RE&FL | L&CA | VL&SF | PM&SC | DC&PH | M&AA | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R.Ellis & F.Low | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 1 | |
| L & C.Ardley | 6 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 3 | |
| V.LEstrange & S.Fenn-Tye | 1 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 6 | |
| P.Mechen & S.Caulfield | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 2 | |
| D.Comber & P.Harden | 4 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 4 | |
| M & A.Avis | 3 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 5 |
GC Singles One-day Competition 29th October 2021
We are very lucky that the weather was rather better than it could have been. Whilst torrential rain fell not far away, Southwick got away with only a couple of short periods when we had to dash for cover.
30 players were divided into 5 discrete blocks of 6 and played 5 games in the event and an extra cross-block friendly for those who were interested as we finished in good time and the sun was out (well, almost).
The five block winners were: Chrissie Merrington, John Low, Beryl Hughes, Graham Tucker and Ken Hughes; congratulations to them.
Linda provided soup and roll for lunch with help from Rachel; there was also tea and cakes (the most delicious fruit cake, as the writer can testify!). Thanks to them for their time and expertise.
Full results
| Block A | RB | RS | LF | NH | CM | JH | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Brookes | 4 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 4 | |
| Roger Sutton | 7 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 2 | |
| Liz Farrow | 7 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 3 | |
| Neil Humphreys | 6 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 5 | |
| Chrissie Merrington | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 1 | |
| Jane Humphreys | 6 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 6 |
| Block B | TJ | TN | AS | JL | BA | RW | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tony Jolly | 7 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 3 | |
| Tony Nicholas | 1 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 5 | |
| Andrew Stewart | 5 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 6 | |
| John Low | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 1 | |
| Brian Aikens | 7 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | |
| Robin Wootton | 5 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 4 |
| Block C | SN | BH | FL | SP | AF | RC | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sue Nicholas | 4 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 2 | |
| Beryl Hughes | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 1 | |
| Frances Low | 5 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 4 | |
| Sarah Patton | 1 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 | |
| Andrew Fall | 7 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | |
| Robyn Clark | 3 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 5 |
| Block D | RE | PM | CC | VL | GT | AG | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Ellis | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 2 | |
| Pat Mechen | 6 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 5 | |
| Carol Collins | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 6 | |
| Vincent L'Estrange | 5 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 4 | |
| Graham Tucker | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 1 | |
| Alan Grundy | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 3 | |
| Block E | PB | PH | MA | AA | KH | FA | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Brown | 5 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 4 | |
| Pat Harden | 7 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 5 | |
| Martin Avis | 3 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 3 | |
| Angela Avis | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 2 | |
| Ken Hughes | 7 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 1 | |
| Francis Ainley | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 6 |
October GC One-day Doubles Competition
This one-day event was played in three block of eight teams, divided according to ability.
Block 1 was won by Richard Brooks and David King who beat Brian Aikens and Ivan Segal with both on equal wins and points.
Block 2 was won by Sue and Tony Nicholas with five clear wins.
Block 3 ended with both Elizabeth Drury & Tony James and Linda Gavigan & Fran Box on 5 wins each and the game between them ending in a tie. Linda and Fran won on points.
Full results
| Block 1 | CH&SA | BA&IS | TJ&FP | RB&DK | N&JH | RW&CH | RS&CM | Wins | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clive Hayton & Simon Ancell | 4 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 6 | ||
| Brian Aikins & Ivan Segal | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 2 | ||
| Tony Jolly & Fiona Phillips | 6 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 4 | ||
| Richard Brooks & David King | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1 | ||
| 0 | - | |||||||||
| Neil & Jane Humphreys | 7 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 5 | ||
| Robyn Wootton & Chris Heath | 7 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 7 | ||
| Roger Sutton & Chrissie Merrington | 2 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 3 |
| Block 2 | S&TN | A&FF | J&CI | MJ&BH | MH&JF | SR&DL | AS&CK | RH> | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sue & Tony Nicholas | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 1 | ||
| Andrew & Fiona Fall | 2 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 5 | ||
| Jonathan & Chrissie Isaacs | 3 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 4 | ||
| Mike Jay & Brenda Hawkins | 7 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 7 | ||
| Mark Hamilton & Jane Fry | 3 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 8 | ||
| Sue Rice & Di Langridge | 6 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 3 | ||
| Andrew Stewart & Cathy Kirkby | 5 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 2 | ||
| Ray Hall & Graham Tucker | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| Block 3 | EB&SG | ED&TJ | R&TE | PM&SC | LG&FB | MA&FA | M&AS | MB&LD | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Bell & Susan Gale | 3 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 7 | ||
| Elizabeth Drury & Tony James | 7 | 7 | 7 | tie | 7 | 7 | 5.5 | 2 | ||
| Richard & Trish Ellis | 7 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 6 | ||
| Pat Mechen & Sue Caulfield | 3 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 5 | ||
| Linda Gavigan & Fran Box | 7 | tie | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5.5 | 1 | ||
| Mike Akester & Francis Ainley | 7 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 3 | ||
| Mike & Anne Stanton | 7 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 8 | ||
| Malcolm Beacham & Linda Davies | 4 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 4 |
SCCC Winter Doubles Draw now available
Division 1: One single block of 7 all play all.
Please complete your games by the 30th March 2022
Division 2: One block of 8 and one block of 7 all play all. Please complete your games by 30th March.
There will be a final for Division 2 on a date to be arranged for the winners of each block.
Finals Week Programme
| Monday 27th | |||
| Time | Lawn | Format | Players |
| 10am | 4 | Chairmans Cup Best of 3 13point games | Martyn Cooperman V Chris Rolph |
| Tuesday 28th | |||
| 10am | 1 | D'Esteere Bowl AC Handicap 26point game | David Marcus V John Low |
| Time Limit3.5 Hours | |||
| 10am | 4 | Franc cup AC Ladies 26 point game | Rosemary Faulkner V Robyn Clark |
| for handicaps 16 and over | |||
| Wednesday 29th | |||
| 11am | 1 | Handicap Singles final | Angela Avis v Christine Ardley |
| Best of 3 13 point games | |||
| 2pm | 4 | The Committee Cup | Simon Ancell V Nira Scutt |
| best of 3 13 point games | |||
| Thursday 30th September | |||
| 2pm | 1 | Diane Brothers Drawn Pairs | Roger Sutton & Pam Gooders V |
| best of 3x 13point games | Pat Harden & Chris Bailey | ||
| 2pm | 4 | Improvers Cup | Richard Ellis v Simon Ancell |
| Best of 3x 13 point games | |||
| 2pm | 2 | Level Play doubles Division 1 | Fiona Phillips & Tony Jolly v |
| Best of 3x 13 point games | Jonathan Isaacs & Morgan Case | ||
| Friday 1st October | |||
| Time | Lawn | Format | Players |
| 10am | 4 | Daldy Cup | Thomas Cullis v Chrissie Merrington |
| 26point game for players with handicaps 9-16 | |||
| 10am | 2 | Fryer Cup Mens 26point game | Bruce Carr V Richard Ellis |
| for handicaps 16 and over | |||
| 2pm | 4 | Level Play Doubles Div 2 | Reg & Julie Soffe v Pam & Gerald Gooders |
| Best of 3 x 13 point games | |||
| 2pm | 2 | New Challenge Cup | Anne Bolland V Thomas Cullis |
| Handicap 26point game advanced rules | |||
| Saturday 2nd October | |||
| 9.3 | 4 | Quaich | Dom Nunns v Tudor jenkins |
| Best of 3x 13 point games | |||
| 10am | 1 | Presidents Cup | Morgan Case v |
| One 19 point game | |||
| 1.00pm | 4 | Millennium Shield | Clive Hayton v Tudor Jenkins |
| Best of 3 x 14 point games | |||
| 1.30pm | 2 | Bush Cup AC | Pam Gooders V Richard Ellis |
| 18point game for handicaps 18 | |||
| and over games played to base 8 | |||
| Sunday 10th October | |||
| 10am | 4 | Freddy Reynolds Cup | Clive Grimley V Paul Castell |
| Best of 3 One Ball |