Author: Claire

Congratulations to Stony Stratford who have won this year’s GC Handicap League for the second year running.  Stony beat Enfield (E) on hoop difference after the match was a 9-9 draw at full time.

The lovely, lush lawns of Newport were a lovely setting for this year’s final and the dire weather that had been forecast thankfully failed to materialise – it was fairly cold and overcast but two of the hardier players actually worn shorts and quite a few took jackets off to play – so not bad for the beginning of October!

The result indicates a tight match but Enfield were chasing Stony all the way through. The initial doubles games were even at one each and, after that, Stony surged ahead, taking 5 of the 8 games in the first two rounds of singles – lunchtime score 4-6. The lunch break can often bring a dramatic reversal of fortunes but Stony held on to their lead – both teams won 2 of the next 4 games – score 6-8. Enfield captain Peter Brock must have given his team a rousing pep talk before the final round as the next 3 results were all wins for Enfield- score 9-8 – and Enfield were ahead for the first time. The match was on a knife edge with only one result to go!! Neither Pauline Field (Stony captain) nor Mary Grove (Enfield) had taken one of their singles game at this point but, in the end, even with 5 extra turns, a far less experienced Mary was unable to win over a very determined Pauline. And so the match was a draw at 9-9.

It had been decided before start of play that, in the event of a draw, hoops would be a deciding factor and there was much tension as Handicap League Manager, Tracy Martin, and Newport’s Ernie Turkington counted, checked and re- checked the hoops tally.

Final count 100 – 93 and Stony had done it again!!
 


Stony Stratford team: Pauline Field (7), Alfred Sawbridge (8), Liz Bulbeck (8) and Robert Chipperfield (8)

Enfield (E): Peter Brock (4), Dave Hill (5), Alan Bateman (8) and Mary Grove (12)

Report by Tracy Martin

The Pat Dain Memorial Trophy was taken by Stony Stratford Croquet Club this year.

The team travelled to Weston in early August to play. It soon became apparent it would be a wet match where the team had to dodge the rain drops.  Besides the weather the team excelled and played really well to bring the trophy home for 2018.

    

 

First league match against Northampton

SSCC lost 13 – 5  held on Monday 12th June

Picture of all players after the match

Away Friendly with Northampton – 23rd May –

This was held on a lovely sunny day to start with, then the clouds appeared, however after lunch fortunately for us the sun made an appearance again.  We played mixed up, which resulted in Jackie and Roy scoring the highest points and having to have a play off and Jeff helped Northampton to win.

An enjoyable day was had by all and the cakes were again really scrumptious.

Away Friendly with High Wycombe – 9th May –

This was held on a very, very cold day, so we all had 4+ layers on.  High Wycombe asked if we would play a match, us v them, of which we came out the winners with a score of 12 – 4.  We all had an enjoyable day with some lovely refreshments at the end where we all huddled together in their new clubhouse to keep warm

We all had an enjoyable day with some lovely refreshments at the end where we all huddled together in their new clubhouse to keep warm.  Hopefully their return visit to us will be a little warmer.