Category: News

The final of last year’s GC knockout tournament (The Moira Quaich) eventually took place at Martin’s Pension Party (combined with Tim’s early birthday celebration) on Tuesday 16th July. Rupert took the first game, but Tim fought back to win the best-of-three match 2-1.

Last year we decided that we would rotate the orientation of the lawns part way through the season to even out wear. So hoop 1 is now on the far side of the lawn.

This took effect from Saturday 13th July, when we hosted a Secretary’s Shield match as a neutral venue, and will remain in force until further notice.

The trolleys are marked up with this information to remind you, but please do use the new orientation when you play from now on.

Sun 7th July, Hunstanton Reporter: Martin

Three Ashby players and one wife travelled in one vehicle to Hunstanton on July 7th to compete in the Murphy Shield where we met up with Jane and Paul who had stayed locally with the camper van.

Our journey was going well until we encountered the dreaded loose chippings for 5 miles just outside Kings Lynn which made our arrival very close to the 11am start.

It was a fine day for playing croquet and we even had some spectators!

In the morning matches, Ashby were in front 2 to 1 thanks to our doubles team of Chris Mounfield and Jane Tewson and Ray Mounfield in his singles; Martin lost!

The afternoon matches gave wins in the singles to Ray, Jane and Martin, unfortunately Chris lost!

So Ashby won 5 to 2.

Paul had to go out to fetch lunch as our hosts had not provided the promised catering; not good.

Our return journey involved an overnight stop in the Kings Lynn Premier Inn, then via Pinchbeck to Bourne. Chris visited more charity shops that day than she had visited in her whole life, my fault.

Sat 6th July, Moira Manager and reporter: Arthur

Five players contested the second running of the Derek Buxton Trophy on what turned out to be a drizzly Saturday. So the lawn conditions were easy in the sense that they were slow and good control was possible, but everyone had problems trying to hit long rushes. Five players needed five rounds, with a sit-out in each round, so the games had a rolling 1h 45m time limit, although only three of the ten games didn’t get to 18 points.

Half the games were close affairs, including two +1T and two +3 scores. Everyone won at least one game, and special mention must go to Adam at handicap 16 who garnered two wins, one against Derek and one against a slightly out of form Mick.

The last round featured the match between Arthur and Richard, which would decide the outcome of the trophy as Arthur had 3 wins and Richard 2 before that round. Both players had good spells of play, and Richard was on a finishing turn only needing to run rover when he missed a longish return roquet conceding a lift to Arthur who hit the shortish lift shot and made the two hoops needed to finish.

Derek’s final duty was to present the eponymous trophy to Arthur.

Results:
Winner: Arthur Rowe 4 wins
Runner-up: Richard Sanville 2 wins
3rd: Adam Wheatley: 2 wins

The draw for the 2019 internal GC knockout competition (The Moira Quaich) has been made. Details here.

At the time of writing we are still waiting for the 2018 final between Tim and Rupert to be played!

The time is 5pm onwards, and the venue is the croquet club.

Martin will provide a variety of pork pies and some fizzy wine. Please bring your own glasses and contributions to the buffet. All club members are invited as well as a few others, please be prepared to play.

Wed 3rd July Report by Arthur

Ashby A maintained their winning start to the season with a 10-2 victory against Woodhall Spa A in a match played at Moira, mostly in hot sunshine.

The Woodhall Spa players – especially Pauline – played much better than the scoreline suggests.

Ashby A now have three wins from their first three games this season.

Ashby: Mike O’Brian (0), Arthur Rowe (0), Ray Mounfield (3)
Woodhall Spa: Pauline Donner (4), Bob Potter (4), Barrie Darling (6)

Results
Mike & Ray 7-2 Pauline & Barrie
Arthur 7-3 Bob
Arthur & Ray 7-2 Bob & Barrie
Mike 6-7 Pauline
Mike & Arthur 7-6 Pauline & Bob
Ray 7-4 Barrie
Mike 7-3 Barrie
Arthur 7-3 Pauline
Ray 5-7 Bob
Ray 7-5 Pauline
Mike 7-5 Bob
Arthur 7-3 Barrie

June 29th & 30th, Moira Manager and reporter: Mick Haytack

Callum Johnson, an under-21 visitor from York Croquet Club has won our National Forest GC tournament.

On Saturday the players were divided into two blocks of eight and all played all in each block. Despite the blistering heat all 56 matches were finished well in time thanks to excellent co-operation from all the players. Out of the 56 matches no fewer than 19 went to the thirteenth hoop and another 12 finished 7-5 or 7-4. When the dust had settled, Callum Johnson was the clear winner of block A with six wins. Four players came equal second with four wins so after some number crunching John Noble and Noel Gill had to play off for second place.

Tim King won block B with six wins with Jonathan Lamb and Mike O’Brian tied for second on five wins. Unfortunately, Jonathan had to retire hurt so Mike had an easy ride to the semi-finals

On Sunday, the schedule was far less punishing, as was the temperature. The block A play-off was won by John Noble 7-3.

Mike played well in the first semi-final but Callum was on fantastic form and won 7-5, 7-3.

The other semi final was a different story. In the first game there were excellent clearances by both players, John took a 4-0 lead but Tim recovered to level at 6-6 but then lost hoop 13 to John. In the second game Tim missed nothing and whitewashed John 7-0. John was far from demoralised by this and game three was another ding-dong battle with John finally winning 7-5.

In the first game of the final Callum continued with his fine form and won 7-3 quite comfortably. When he reached 6-2 in the second game it looked all over but John made a great comeback, won the next four hoops and had a tricky shot at hoop 13 which just failed. Callum, who had missed chances to win the match at the previous three hoops, finally ran hoop 13, much to his relief.

This was Callum’s first GC competition as he’s been concentrating on AC. Had he taken up GC a little earlier there’s no doubt that he would have easily qualified for the World under 21 GC championship later this year.

On Sunday the plate was won by Richard Brooks with a 100% record. David Bell and Michael Hills were joint second with 75%.

Special mentions go to Ray Mounfield who was the only player to take a game off Callum and to Noel Gill who lost his first three games 6-7 but still made the play-off for second in block A.

Our thanks go to Lynda and George Allen for their excellent catering, to Martin Wroughton for preparing the lawns and to Tim King for setting the hoops.

Full results (CroquetScores)

Dates have been arranged for each of these matches; both are Quarter Finals:

Sunday 7th July (away)  … Hunstanton v Ashby  in the Murphy Shield.

Wednesday 17th July (away) … Northampton v Ashby in the GC Inter-Club.

June 15th & 16th, Moira Reporter & non-playing manager: Arthur

A small field of hardy players (excuse the pun) contested the National Forest AC Handicap Singles weekend, when they were subject to torrential downpours mixed with occasional sunshine. The field was comprised of players from Ashby and Huddersfield, and so the first two games felt like a team match rather than a singles competition. There was a mixture of excellent and so-so play from all players, and everyone won at least one game.

By the final game on Sunday, there were two players in the reckoning to win – Heather Hardy and Mick Haytack. Mick needed to beat Richard Sanville in the last game, and for Heather to lose to Rena Souten. Mick did his bit in an exciting finish after Richard had pegged off one ball, Mick then hitting in and making 3 hoops and a posthumous peel before winning +1. Heather was one ahead when time was called in her game, but Rena didn’t manage to make any more hoops and so Heather emerged as the winner. She also qualified for a Bronze award, completed her first two 26pt games, and finally earned a handicap reduction from 20 to 18.

National Forest AC tournament page (including pictures)