News

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


CROQUET_ACADEMY_LOGO.jpgShort 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 B&RC 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
Bob & Robyn Clark 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&GT 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

Winter Doubles Draw - 13/10/2021 15:53

SCCC Winter Doubles Draw now available

Games are one 13 point game American block format. Games are Level Play.

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 - 28/09/2021 17:35

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

SCCC lose 3-4 in a tense Final of the CA GC Federation Shield

In a very tense, close finish, SCCC were pipped to the post by Phyllis Court 3-4, in the Final of the CA GC Federation Shield at Henley-on-Thames on Thursday 16 September.
Facing a strong home team who lined up with three players on minus 2 handicap (Chris Roberts, Roger Goldring – who had won the CA GC National Handicap Championship just 5 days earlier - & Ian Norris) and Raghu Iyer (3), SCCC expected a tough day. SCCC brought in Roger Sutton (-1), in place of Simon Ancell who was away, to join Tony Jolly (2), David King (3) & Linda Gavigan (7). How would the handicap differences and the extra turns pan out?
After an early departure, heavy traffic and blocked lanes had hindered both SCCC cars on the journey, meaning a delayed start. In the morning doubles, Tony Jolly & David King held off the challenge from Roger Goldring & Raghu Iyer to win 7-4, 7-4. In the singles Linda Gavigan , with 9 extra turns, faced the vastly experienced Chris Roberts. Chris used his experience to win the first game by 7-5, but Linda battled back hard with great determination to take the second 7-4. In the other singles Ian Norris had taken the advantage in the first game 7-5, before Roger S fought back to take the second by 7-5. With these two matches in the balance, the pre-booked lunch break was taken with the matches to be completed if necessary.
Play restarted with the afternoon singles matches, with the sound of James Blunt rehearsing for the Henley Festival reverberating across the river. First result decided was Tony pulling off a fine 2-0 win (7-6, 7-4) against Roger G. Next was David winning a 3 game battle after narrowly losing the first at the golden hoop (6-7, 7-4, 7-3) against Ian, to give SCCC a 3-0 lead in completed matches. At that stage the other two matches were still in their second game, Roger a game down to Chris (5-7), and Linda a game up with Raghu (7-5). In those second games, Chris beat Roger 7-6 to win their match 2-0, while Raghu had fought back to win 7-6 against Linda, so levelling their match at 1-1. An hour or so later, unfortunately that game had also gone in favour of Phyllis Court, with the 3rd game won by Raghu (7-3) leaving the overall match score at 3-2 to SCCC. So it was back to the outstanding decider games in both unfinished matches.
A hardy bunch of home supporters had been watching the match with growing interest, and despite the time passing 5.30 and the temperature beginning to drop, showed no sign of leaving. Roger fought hard against Ian, but despite a very tough fight and some good clearances, went down 3-7. This left a weary Linda fighting for her life against Chris, who was really relying on his experience to keep in the game. Even when some very good play eased him into a lead, Linda took advantage of her extra turns to pull herself back to 5-6 before a very relieved Chris took the 12th hoop to win 7-5 and seal the match for Phyllis Court.
The hosts lifted the trophy after this very tough encounter, but the spectators were clearly equally appreciative of the competitive and good play of both teams. A disappointed SCCC team headed for the journey home and the end of what was a very long day.
Report by David King

South East Croquet Federation - GC Handicap League (West)

The Club participated in the GC Handicap League (West)
 run by the SECF. The draw included matches against  Compton, Guildford & Godalming B, Hassocks (withdrew) and West Worthing. Each team comprised 4 players with 3 rounds played - Round 1 (2 Doubles), Round 2 (4 Singles) and Round 3 (1 Doubles and 2 Singles).
 Games were best of 13 points with extra turns allocated against player handicaps. The matches were played between July and September.

The Club performed reasonably well with very narrow
 4 - 5 losses against West Worthing and Guildford & Godalming B. Our best was saved for the last match when we beat Compton 7 - 2. 

Thanks to Sandra Towner (+9), Francis Ainley (+8), Mike
 Akester (+6), Nigel Barton (+6) and Phil Harrison (+5) who represented The Club during the campaign.

Phil Harrison


As a mark of respect at the news on Jane Rimmington's death we are postponing this tournament.

Further news in due course.