The first half took place on Monday 8th June with rain delaying the start, so the morning block play was postponed until the afternoon. Twelve new players had all signed up, a couple of whom were playing their first games on a full lawn, and the conditions were challenging with the wet and lush grass slowing the ball considerably. But all of the players were up to the challenge and the standard of play was high, with all games played in a competitive spirit, and even a couple of jump shots played (albeit one might have been by mistake!). In the event, all but the final game were played before the rain set in again, so everyone retired to the ‘White Room’ for tea and some delicious homemade cakes supplied by Tom. Congratulations to Martin Cook, Colin Hinsley and Pierpaolo who won their blocks, and Susan Leckie, Hitesh Patel and Leslie who were runners up, all of whom progressed to the Playoffs at a later date, when the sun returns . . . .

. . . . The postponed finals took place on Sunday 21st June, which were closely contested. Pierpaolo, managed to handicap himself by not having his morning espresso, but put in a good performance and ultimately came 3rd. This left Martin and Colin battling it out for first and second place, with Martin emerging victorious at the final hoop. The runner-up group was equally close with Leslie coming top, followed by Susan and then Hitesh. Well done and thank you to everyone who played in the whole event, came down to support, or helped. The standard of play was high and it was great to see so many new faces involved. Looking forward to seeing you all down on the lawns again soon!

Lindy, Tim and Tom

Report: Lindy Jordan

Photographs: Tom Hartwell

There was a good turnout for the Beer & Croquet event from 5.00 to 8.00pm on Thursday 28th, including a mini tournament in which contestants were awarded a hoop target according to their handicap, which gave the newer and higher handicap members a sporting chance. Everyone enjoyed themselves, especially in the warm sunshine during the latter part of the heatwave.

Photographs: Tom Hartwell

Ealing played in an exciting match at Reigate on 27th May in the AC B League with honours even at the end of the day.

See here for a detailed match report. The photo shows the Ealing Team of John Hutchinson, Bridget Goodman and Fred White-Overton under the rose arbour at Reigate.

The annual Lloyd Pratt Trophy was contested at High Wycombe on 8 April, where an unseasonably warm and sunny day greeted us. The match is played each year at alternating venues in recognition of when High Wycombe were without lawns for a year and played at Ealing. The matches feature both AC and GC games, all played as doubles. Ealing were defending a 4 year unbeaten run, so High Wycombe were particularly keen to redress the balance.

The morning provided Ealing with mixed fortunes and at lunch we were trailing a game behind. Fortified by a generous lunch in the sunshine, provided by our hospitable hosts, Ealing went into battle, getting into their stride. The final game was played out before a full set of competitors. Little did Fred and Bridget realise all they had to do was win the final game and the trophy would be retained. Battling it out at 6 all, High Wycombe came through to win and make it a draw overall, so time for the penalty shoot out – once again. This comprises attempting to hit the centre peg from the boundary, no mean task at the end of a long day.

It began with eight shots from each side with the score ending 1-1 after David scored for Ealing. Then it was four shots from each side, which resulted in High Wycombe pipping us to the post, literally.

Congratulations to our hosts ……until next time!

Report: Bridget Goodman

Members and passers by will have noticed that major renovation is being undertaken on Lawn 3 comprising the following works:

First the grass and weeds were killed off using glyphosate weedkiller. Then the lawn was heavily scarified to clear all vegetation, leaving it clear to grass seed. Then overseeded using high end grass seed, followed by applying 3 tonnes of top dressing. Then a wetting agent is applied that will last for 6 months. Once the new seed is established, the grass will be cut and high nitrogen fertiliser will finally be applied.

The works are programmed to make the lawn playable in June. In the meantime Lawns 1 and 2 are looking much better after their winter break, but Lawn 3 should be superior once all of the works have been completed.

Work in Progress

Ealing members began the New Year with a fun 5 hoop event that allowed maximum use of the one lawn currently in use and provided some much needed refreshment in the cold weather. The format helped keep things moving and allowed players to swap round between doubles groups. It was a crisp, but cool morning with clear skies. The condition of the lawn had to be checked due to the overnight frost, but although the ground was hard, it was thankfully playable, even if a little bumpy, resulting in a number of unintentional jump shots, but everyone soon adapted to the challenge.

There were 16 players, all suitably wrapped up, plus warm mulled wine, while a selection of mince pies were also on hand to keep everyone warm. There was a mid-day break for more mulled wine and other refreshments. Further quick games were played in the afternoon and the sun even shone a little. There was even prize giving, when Helen won the ‘Hoop of the Day’ prize with a fantastic shot ! David picked up the ‘Most Unsual Shot of the Day’ prize for attempting to clear a ball in his own game, but actually clearing one in a nearby game, resulting in an in-off through the player’s legs. Many thanks for everyone who came along. It was a fantastic turnout in the cold weather! Also special thanks to Wendy for organising the food and drink, while also keeping it running smoothly.

Happy New Year to all our Ealing Croquet Club members.

Report and photographs by Tom Hartwell

Ealing Croquet Club had another successful year, both in club competitions and individual achievements in tournaments.

Club Matches

In our CqSE League matches nearly all were played away, for which we owe thanks to the opposing clubs. Teams generally achieved 50% wins, while the GC Handicap Team achieved 75%.

We lost the GC Tier 3 Bowl semi-final in a close match at Roehampton.

The final of our internal AC Handicap Knockout, was played on 30th September and was won by John Hutchinson.

Individual achievements

Our individual competitors in recent national finals have done very well.

Margaret Page finished 2nd in the All England AC Handicap Final.

In the All England GC Handicap Final, Margaret Page finished 3rd, John Hutchinson 5th and Simon Turner 6^th, meaning Ealing had an impressive 3 of the top 6 players. Richard Barkey also won 9 of his 15 matches in the GC (B) Level final.

Richard Barkey also won the B-Level Series GC tournament at Ealing and Tim Vernon won the Ealing C-Level Series Tournament.

John Hutchinson also won the Hussars Cup at Roehampton in their end of season AC handicap Tournament.

Simon Tuke won his block in the Hurlingham AC Advanced May Weekend with 6 wins out of 7, with Stephen Harbron placed second.

Tony Elliott won the Watford One-Day AC (Handicap Advanced) tournament, and the B/C class at the main annual AC tournaments at both Hurlingham and Nottingham. Tony Elliott also came second in the Surbiton Easter Handicap AC Tournament on overall percentage wins in a flexible Swiss format.

Simon Turner won the AC August Handicap at East Dorset and the AC Annual Tournament (B class) at Sussex County.

In the Hurlingham Midweek Veterans Advanced Handicap Singles Tournament held over 3 days from 2nd to 4th September Tony Elliott came second, despite having the same number of wins as the overall winner, but missing out on quality of wins. Margaret Page also came second at Hurlingham in the same event.

Photographs:

Top: Margaret Page & Tony Elliott at Hurlingham

Bottom Left: Stephen Harbron & Simon Tuke at Hurlingham

Bottom Right: Tony Elliott at Nottingham

The club pavilion now sports a new croquet themed weathervane designed by club member David Graham and sponsored by Christine Mason in memory of her father. Read more about it and the themes used in its design in the article published in the Croquet Gazette:

Simon Tuke has been awarded a Croquet England Diploma in recognition of his services to Ealing Croquet Club, presented at the club AGM.

Ealing Croquet Club hosted the CqSE Short Croquet Teams Handicap Tournament on Sunday 29 June. The Tournament Manager was Tony Elliott.

The competition comprised four teams of four players each: Ealing; High Wycombe; Guildford & Godalming; Reigate Priory.

Short Croquet is played on half lawns and the winner is the first to run six hoops and peg-out with both balls. However, a time limit of 1¼ hours per game meant that the winner simply had to have run the most hoops on time. The rules are otherwise the same as for Association Croquet (with the exception that wiring your opponents from each other concedes a lift).

The format comprised a total of three rubbers in which each team played one doubles and two singles games against each of the other teams. This resulted in each team being positioned in order of their number of games won overall. The final order was then determined by a 3rd/4th play-off and a 1st/2nd final.

The games were played in very hot conditions, but at least competitors could find a shady spot to sit out when their opponent was on the lawn; a mixed blessing. There was a welcome break for an excellent lunch, organised by Margaret Page.

The teams were generally well matched, with High Wycombe having the lowest overall team handicap, although not necessarily an advantage when up against higher handicaps with more bisques, due to only having to run six hoops.

Reigate Priory were in the strongest position after three rubbers, followed by Ealing and High Wycombe on an equal number of points, so it was on the basis of who beat who that Ealing and Reigate Priory played each other in the final, which Ealing won 3-0. The full results can be seen here.

However, regardless of the heat, everyone seems to have had a very enjoyable day and we look forward to inviting them back next year.

Report: David Graham

Photograph: Roger Mayhew, John Hutchison, Margaret Page and David Graham holding the trophy under the new weathervane.

Ealing Croquet Club

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