The victorious team of Marian Holland, Jackie Berry, Liz Bulbeck and Robert Chipperfield returned with the coveted trophy after a gap of six years since SSCC last won. They beat Letchworth on Sunday 2nd October at Hunstanton Croquet Club in a thrilling final play-off match, the score being 9-9 after normal time.
Congratulations to all four of them, two of whom were making their League debuts this year. Also a special mention to all the other club members who played their part in earlier league matches to get us where we are now. This particularly applies to John Burridge who missed out on the Final as he was on holiday – this will be a great send-off for John as he leaves the club and moves up north to be nearer his family.
Please give the team a special “pat on the back” when you next see them and maybe next year we’ll be brave enough to enter two teams, such is the current strength of the Club.
Match Details:
The team and their loyal supporters travelled through torrential rain to a wet Hunstanton on the Saturday before the match so they would be ready bright and early to meet Letchworth for the EACF regional final of the year.
After an even wetter evening they were a bit apprehensive about how wet the Hunstanton Croquet Club pitch would be? But as the sun rose and shone over North Norfolk the pitch began to dry out ready for our illustrious 4 to do battle!
The score after the doubles and first round of singles was 5-1 to SSCC. Clearly, lunch had a disastrous effect on the team, but they pulled themselves together for a thrilling tie-breaking doubles game with Jackie & Robert winning by 7 hoops to 3.
The SSCC team were supported by a magnificent total of 6 supporters as they watched the match, which was played in friendly manner. The Hunstanton Croquet Club were also very welcoming.
The winning road:
This began when SSCC won the Western Area heat beating 5 other teams to 1st place with 8 points, a game difference of +12 and +50 net hoops. The teams included Watford, Northampton Mallets, Wrest Park, Leighton Linsade & Northampton Hoops. SSCC went on to play Ipswich (North & Mid Area Winners) in the semi-finals, beating them 12-6 whilst their opponents Letchworth Red (Central Area Winners), had recently beaten Southchurch Park (Eastern Area Winners) 13-5. Finally SSCC met Letchworh Red at Hunstanton for the final 9-9 tie break win.
Stony Stratford Croquet Club 