Letchworth’s John NOBLE wins the Hunstanton GC Open Tournament
Sunday 2 July - John NOBLE beat Pete DOWD of Northampton to win the Hunstanton GC Open Tournament and retain the HAMPSON MEMORIAL SALVER.
John NOBLE dropped just one game, and that against our old friend Duncan HECTOR, to finish second in his block. He then made short work of Northampton’s Les HEARD, the winner of the other block, to book a place in the final. Meanwhile in the other semi-final, Duncan HECTOR playing on his new home ground - and playing better than ever - was fighting hard with the starting favourite, Pete DOWD, who just had the edge to win 7-6 some 45minutes after the other semi-final had finished. The final was an error-strewn game and very much a game of two halves. John NOBLE initially played poorly and quickly slipped to 1-5 down before an uncharacteristic error from Pete DOWD gave him a second chance at hoop 7. This completely changed the dynamic of the game, which then, equally quickly, progressed to 6-6 and a nail-biting final hoop. After an exchange of clearances John NOBLE emerged in control with two balls in position, next to play 6” in front of the hoop. His last clearance, however, had left Pete DOWD with a chance of an in-off, albeit from 10 yards. Either player could have won. The final wasn’t croquet at its best but, finishing at 1930, it was certainly an entertaining game for the 30-strong crowd to watch! Congratulations to John NOBLE.
Sunday 2 July - John NOBLE beat Pete DOWD of Northampton to win the Hunstanton GC Open Tournament and retain the HAMPSON MEMORIAL SALVER.
John NOBLE dropped just one game, and that against our old friend Duncan HECTOR, to finish second in his block. He then made short work of Northampton’s Les HEARD, the winner of the other block, to book a place in the final. Meanwhile in the other semi-final, Duncan HECTOR playing on his new home ground - and playing better than ever - was fighting hard with the starting favourite, Pete DOWD, who just had the edge to win 7-6 some 45minutes after the other semi-final had finished. The final was an error-strewn game and very much a game of two halves. John NOBLE initially played poorly and quickly slipped to 1-5 down before an uncharacteristic error from Pete DOWD gave him a second chance at hoop 7. This completely changed the dynamic of the game, which then, equally quickly, progressed to 6-6 and a nail-biting final hoop. After an exchange of clearances John NOBLE emerged in control with two balls in position, next to play 6” in front of the hoop. His last clearance, however, had left Pete DOWD with a chance of an in-off, albeit from 10 yards. Either player could have won. The final wasn’t croquet at its best but, finishing at 1930, it was certainly an entertaining game for the 30-strong crowd to watch! Congratulations to John NOBLE.
Letchworth beat Surbiton(winners in 2016) in GC Inter-club!
11 Jul 2017
Congratulations to our team- Nick Mounfield, John Noble, John Skingsley and David Tutt
Final score, 5-2 to Letchworth.
Letchworth will now face Dulwich in the semi-final.
11 Jul 2017
Congratulations to our team- Nick Mounfield, John Noble, John Skingsley and David Tutt
Final score, 5-2 to Letchworth.
Letchworth will now face Dulwich in the semi-final.
Herts win the Ken Wheeler Shield with two players from Letchworth
Herts winners L-R: John Skingsley,
Robert Archer, Nick Archer, David Tutt
For the fourth time in the seven years since this popular event The Ken Wheeler Shield was introduced, a strong Hertfordshire team consisting of Nick Archer (Captain), David Tutt, John Skingsley and Robert Archer proved triumphant with a convincing win despite strong resistance from the other five Eastern Counties.
Staged on 3rd June on the five well-prepared lawns at the Hunstanton club on a glorious summer day, both Hertfordshire and Essex made strong starts, despatching their opponents convincingly to build up unassailable leads, and at the end of the block round both qualified for the Gold Medal Round with 4 match wins and 11 game points. Norfolk had 2 match wins along with Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire, but just managed to qualify with 7 game points, 1 more than the other two.
In the final Gold Medal Round Hertfordshire with some determined play managed to consolidate their lead by beating both the Essex and Norfolk sides to lift the trophy; whilst despite a win over Essex, Norfolk were unable to secure the second place.
Report by Terrey Sparks,
photo by David Thirtle-Watts
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GC Fun Doubles
Strawberry Tea Tournament On an amazingly hot and sunny June afternoon twenty members gathered to compete in our annual Strawberry Tea tournament. Congratulations to Tracy and John who won the Doubles event! Tracy had an exceedingly successful afternoon as she also won the highest individual score with Beryl runner-up. Thanks to Sue Watson for organising all the splendid refreshments and to Colin for running the event. |
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Back to the Classroom
A course on Sports Psychology and Croquet run by Cliff Jones gave members plenty to think about when they play their next match.
A course on Sports Psychology and Croquet run by Cliff Jones gave members plenty to think about when they play their next match.
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Edward Martin Trophy May 29th Twelve entrants enjoyed their day of golf croquet which was impeccably managed by Keith as always. The final was between Andy Kennedy (who had also been in the final last year) and Andrew Fall with Andrew Fall winning the cup. Congratulations to all contestants. |
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B-Level Champion at Colchester-
George Woolhouse
A very successful day for George who won all five of his AC games!
Letchworth beat Watford 6-1 in First round of GC Inter-Club
Congratulations to our team Nick Mounfield, John Noble, David Tutt and John Skingsley for a very successful day. The team will next face the winners of Surbiton and Sussex.
Congratulations to our team Nick Mounfield, John Noble, David Tutt and John Skingsley for a very successful day. The team will next face the winners of Surbiton and Sussex.
Local Derby Match - GC teams Reds v Blues on Tuesday 2nd May!!
Come and support Letchworth - well one of them is bound to win......................
................................ after seven hours the result was a draw!! 9-9
Come and support Letchworth - well one of them is bound to win......................
................................ after seven hours the result was a draw!! 9-9
Start the Summer Fun Doubles Tournament
Congratulations to the winning couple Janet Mathews and Heather Bennett and to Vernon McClure who had the highest individual score |
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AC match v Melgrave April 12th
This was a day for record-breaking. Not just one, but three (3), Keiths turned up to play; Letchworth fielded a team worthy of the Mary Rose level play competition, with handicaps of 1,2,2½ & 3; we didn’t lose the first game of the season; and we finished with a high tea worthy of a Fun Doubles afternoon.
Players were Terry Mahoney, Philip Windred, Keith Rhodes & George Woolhouse.
It is normal to start with a quick bit about the croquet: the morning doubles were shared one apiece on a cool morning that gradually warmed up. Afternoon singles were notable for the forest of bisques lined up against each of the Letchworth players, two of whom won and two of whom just lost. It all went down to the last shots of the last game, which seems to happen too often for comfort these days, during which time tea appeared – enough to distract anyone. Anyway, on to the main event . . .
At this point, David Tutt (our non-playing Captain) took over and set up a table complete with tablecloth, which slowly got covered with heaps of food – several plates with different types of cucumber sandwiches (very posh), plus coffee and chocolate cakes. (Note to team manager John Hall – the bar has just been raised!)
Why more people don’t put their names down to play in this league is beyond me ! If your handicap is anything above 3 we urgently need you on the team, ideally with a pile of bisques in front of you to frighten your opponents.
This was a day for record-breaking. Not just one, but three (3), Keiths turned up to play; Letchworth fielded a team worthy of the Mary Rose level play competition, with handicaps of 1,2,2½ & 3; we didn’t lose the first game of the season; and we finished with a high tea worthy of a Fun Doubles afternoon.
Players were Terry Mahoney, Philip Windred, Keith Rhodes & George Woolhouse.
It is normal to start with a quick bit about the croquet: the morning doubles were shared one apiece on a cool morning that gradually warmed up. Afternoon singles were notable for the forest of bisques lined up against each of the Letchworth players, two of whom won and two of whom just lost. It all went down to the last shots of the last game, which seems to happen too often for comfort these days, during which time tea appeared – enough to distract anyone. Anyway, on to the main event . . .
At this point, David Tutt (our non-playing Captain) took over and set up a table complete with tablecloth, which slowly got covered with heaps of food – several plates with different types of cucumber sandwiches (very posh), plus coffee and chocolate cakes. (Note to team manager John Hall – the bar has just been raised!)
Why more people don’t put their names down to play in this league is beyond me ! If your handicap is anything above 3 we urgently need you on the team, ideally with a pile of bisques in front of you to frighten your opponents.
Enjoyable and valuable GC Coaching Course
with Cliff Jones - April 10/11
Over two days, 23 members took part in day-long courses seeking to improve both technique and tactics. Thanks to both Cliff and John for their boundless patience and enthusiasm.
with Cliff Jones - April 10/11
Over two days, 23 members took part in day-long courses seeking to improve both technique and tactics. Thanks to both Cliff and John for their boundless patience and enthusiasm.
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Croquet Association AC 14pt Tournament
April 8th The tournament was won by Chris Farthing (-1) from Surbiton who won all of his games. Three Letchworth members, Nick Mounfield, Terry Mahoney and Brian Havill took part. |
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AGM and Awards Evening
Ladies Cup Lynn Wood GC Level Play Nick Mounfield GC Handicap David Tutt GC Improver Tracy Martin GC Doubles Colin Gregory/Andrea Carr Edward Martin Cup Robert Staddon Monday Challenge John Alabaster AC Level play Nick Mounfield AC Handicap Peter Whiting AC Improvers Colin Gregory |
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Annual Dinner 2017
Farewell to Duncan
Duncan was presented with a weather vane, depicting him playing croquet, to thank him for 30 years of service to the club. We hoped that it would remind him of happy years at Letchworth when he moves to Norfolk after Christmas. |
'Would I Lie to You?' evening
Two teams competed in telling tall tales - some of which turned out to be true! |
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Letchworth Croquet Club
We have had an active membership since our founding in 1987 and now have over 70 members with a range of abilities and interests.
There is a regular programme of club tournaments and social events throughout the year. |
