Ealing Croquet Club

The Charity One-Ball heat, which had been postponed from the spring, was rescheduled in time to send a qualifier to the National Final at Surbiton on September 20th.

Ten competitors were greeted by unexpected sunshine, and a merciful moderation in the fierce winds of the previous days. Nine Ealing members were joined by Kevin Carter, making his first visit to ECC, the 56th club he has played at, according to his database! It was a great pleasure to have Kevin with us – he has organised this competition for many years, raising tens of thousands of pounds in the process. He rarely gets a chance to play in the event himself, as he is usually managing.

The players found inventive ways to sport green clothing, the house colour of this year’s designated charity, Macmillan Cancer Support, for whom more than £100 was raised on the day.

Simon Tuke emerged the winner, with six victories out of six, helped by some good fortune in the first couple of games. Tony Elliott, Carole McCloughlin and Celeste Gee all won four out of five. Celeste deserves special mention; she and her her husband Ed have only recently joined the club, and her results were extremely impressive. Unfortunately Ed was less fortunate, failing to register a win, but gaining some valuable experience.

Kevin and Ed were the other players to complete six games.

Thanks also to the GC players who braved a foray into the world of AC.

A rummage through the store cupboard in the clubhouse unearthed the magnificent 3 1/2 inch-high Butlin Cup, which Kevin presented to Simon, together with a jar of his home-made Blackcurrant Jam that he had kindly brought along as a prize. As Simon pointed out, an appropriate reward given the jamminess of some of his wins.

Many thanks to everyone for competing in such a friendly spirit, and helping each other out with unfamiliar points of law on the lawns.

Do think about entering this event next year, whatever your croquet orientation. As well as being good fun, it raises money for an excellent cause.