Ealing Croquet Club

Ealing played Wrest Park at home in the GC Inter Club (Murphy) Shield Quarter Final on 1st July. The match was fiercely contested by both sides, but at least it did not extend into the evening, as happened in our previous match at Enfield (see The Longest Day 23/05/2023).

The knock-out competition is level play with individual matches decided by the best of three games, so on paper Wrest Park had the stronger squad, based on their handicaps.

However, Ealing got off to a good start in the doubles, with David Graham & Simon Turner having to go the full distance, eventually beating George Collin and Tim Brewer 7-3 / 6-7 / 7-6. The morning singles matches were shared, with Fred White-Overton winning his match in 2 games, so 2-1 overall to Ealing at lunchtime.

Ealing won the first of the afternoon singles matches to make it 3-1 to Ealing with one more match needed for a home win. The second match went to Wrest Park but Ealing’s 10 handicap newcomer, John Hutchinson, gave a spirited performance, losing in 3 games. The tie was eventually sealed when Ealing’s No 1 player beat his Wrest Park Counterpart in game 2. Simon Turner also beat his opponent in 2 games, while the final match went to Wrest Park to make it 4-3 overall, with Ealing progressing to the semi-final.

The next match will be against either Branston (near Lincoln) or Chester, so Ealing are hoping for a home fixture.

Report: Simon Turner/David Graham

Detailed games scores: