Match Reports 2016
EACF GOLF CROQUET HANDICAP LEAGUE
Congratulations to Stony Stratford winners of this year's GC Handicap League. Stony beat Letchworth Reds 10 games to 9 at Hunstanton on 2 October: it was 9-9 after normal play and the result only settled after a tie-break.
Sunday at Hunstanton dawned bright and blustery, after an evening of thundery rain and local floods. The Northerly wind was bitterly cold (I don’t think any of us wore less than three layers at any point in the day), but the lawns were in superb condition (well done and thanks to our hosts at Hunstanton) and sparkled green in the clear autumn sun. A superb stage for an exciting match.
As the result suggests, it was a tight match and it could have gone either way, a final just as one would have hoped for. The doubles were halved one game apiece, a nervy tense start from both sides, but by lunch Stony Stratford had taken a commanding 7-3 lead and you wouldn’t have bet against them. In the afternoon Letchworth Reds seemed to up their game and played with much more assurance than in the morning session, taking the score to 8-6 after round four. In the final round of games, we had a real fight on our hands: three games complete and Letchworth were ahead for the first time in the day 9-8, with one game left to finish. Stony Stratford’s Liz Bulbeck, the only player to win all her games, took the score to 9-9 and set up a tie break doubles, which Stony won to secure the Trophy.
We had two well matched teams: hoops won were 104-102! Letchworth Reds fought hard, but all congratulations to Stony Stratford who had the edge on the day; it was a well deserved victory for them.
The Stony Stratford team was: Marion Holland (8), Jackie Berry (8), Liz Bulbeck (10) and Robert Chipperfield (10). Letchworth Reds were: Robert Staddon (6), David Clancey (6), Trish Noble (6) and Tracy Martin (9).
Report by John Noble.
EACF AC matches
On June 7th Letchworth played Meldreth away and lost 3-1.
Results as follows:-
Terry Mahoney (1/2) and Peter Ross (14) v Duncan Hector(-1) and Keith Holgate(14) Letchworth +6
Terry Mahoney (1/2) and John Hall(7) v Duncan Hector(-1) and Robert Skeen(6)
Meldreth +8
John Hall(7) v Robert Skeen(6) Meldreth +24
Peter Ross (14) v Keith Holgate(14) Meldreth +10
On June 7th Letchworth played Meldreth away and lost 3-1.
Results as follows:-
Terry Mahoney (1/2) and Peter Ross (14) v Duncan Hector(-1) and Keith Holgate(14) Letchworth +6
Terry Mahoney (1/2) and John Hall(7) v Duncan Hector(-1) and Robert Skeen(6)
Meldreth +8
John Hall(7) v Robert Skeen(6) Meldreth +24
Peter Ross (14) v Keith Holgate(14) Meldreth +10
EACF GC Matches
Friday 29 April 2016 – EACF GC Handicap League
Letchworth Reds 11 v Letchworth Blues 7
Reds Team: David Clancey (6), Robert Staddon (7), Graham Styles (8), Tracy Martin (10)
Blues Team: Peter Aspinall (4), Colin Gregory (6), Andy Kennedy (8), Andrea Carr (9)
The first match of the season and the Reds got off to a cracking start by winning both their Doubles games. David /Graham beat Peter/Andy 7-6 and Robert/Tracy went to full time to beat Colin/Andrea 6-5. The Reds then got into a winning streak taking 7 of the following 8 games. Matters changed after lunch when the Reds suffered a down-turn and the Blues came back with a vengeance taking 6 of the remaining 8 games. However, the Doubles wins stood the Reds in good stead as they took the match 11-7 (hoops 112-98) – Man of the Match was Robert Staddon who won his doubles and all 4 singles. A good days croquet was topped off with tea and cakes and a good time was had by all!!
Friday 17 June 2016 EACF GC Handicap League
Newport Elms 8 v Letchworth Reds 10
Reds Team: David Clancey (7), Robert Staddon (6), Graham Styles (8), Tracy Martin (10)
Elms Team: Bob Leeds (6), Roy Darling (5), Helen Manley (9), Ernie Turkington (11)
Letchworth Reds played away at Newport and, once again, had a day of mixed weather – a warm and sunny morning followed by our traditional soaking in the afternoon! But we had a great day of croquet against a strong Elms team. The Reds got off to a good start, winning both the opening Doubles games : Graham/ David v Bob/Helen 7-2 and Tracy/Robert v Roy/Ernie 7-5 . Man of the Match was definitely David Clancey who won his doubles and all four of his singles games, Tracy and Graham each managed to win their doubles and win two, lose two singles – bringing in a winning total of 10 games – but a close run thing as there was only 2 hoops difference over the whole day (101 v 99). A very enjoyable day among the very hospitable Newport team.
Wednesday 22 June 2016 – EACF GC Handicap League –
Enfield (E) 8 v Letchworth Reds 10
Reds Team: Peter Ross (2), David Clancey (7), Graham Styles (8), Tracy Martin (10)
Enfield (E): David Frost (1), Tony Elliott (3), Brian Sturt (8), Alan Foott (9)
Our rainy away day at Enfield got off to a so-so start – the doubles pair of Peter and Tracy lost their game (7-4), while David and Graham had a 7-5 win. The Reds inched slowly ahead for the first three rounds of the singles games and were 9-5 ahead starting Round 4. Disaster almost took us to a draw when the next 3 results in were losses for Letchworth. Thankfully Peter Ross just beat Alan Foott (and his 7 bisques) at the golden hoop securing a narrow win for a relieved Letchworth. Peter won all 4 of his singles games making him our Man of the Match and we all enjoyed our day out with the ever-welcoming Enfield East team.
Tuesday 28 June 2016 EACF GC Handicap League
- Letchworth Reds 13 v Enfield (W) 5
Reds Team: Robert Staddon (6), David Clancey (7), Graham Styles (8), Tracy Martin (10)
Enfield (W): Brian Dawes (3), John Street (4), Peter Brock (7), Michael Broadway (8)
Our first match at home this month (and no rain for a change) and the Reds took full advantage of playing on home ground. The friendly Enfield team gave us a really good and enjoyable day’s play but we had a slightly worrying start when the Doubles round came in at one win each- Robert and Tracy losing 2-7 to Brian Dawes and John Street but David and Graham won against Peter Brock and Michael Broadway with an amazing 7-1 score-line. Letchworth then got into their stride and won 8 of the next 12 games. We could then have been heading for another tense potential draw situation but Round 4 of the Singles saw a huge team effort and we all four won our games 7-5 –giving us a huge winning margin of 8 games and making 113 hoops to 85 on the way. Tracy and Robert both won their 4 singles and David won 3 of his, thereby reducing his handicap to a 6 again – A good all-round team effort.
AWAY FRIENDLY DOUBLES MATCH – Letchworth v Newport Monday 5 July 2016
Letchworth Team/Pairs: Peter Aspinall/Tracy Martin, Colin Gregory/Andy Allen, Graham Styles/Jan Scroggins, Ray Scroggins/Margo Leach.
In the best weather we can remember playing in at Newport we had a splendid day’s croquet against various and varied pairs of Newport players. – at least 10 of their members played in a variety of combinations throughout the days. Four games each – 16 games in total and, as the final game ended, we were all pleased to find that – after all the ups and downs of the day - we had managed a draw –the score being 8 games each. We had all had such an enjoyable day that, after a breather for tea and cake, we all played an additional game in the glorious surroundings and in lovely warm sunshine –the result was again a draw at 2 games each!! Our thanks to Newport for such an excellent day out.
Tracy Martin.
Monday 1 August 2016 - EACF GC Handicap League
Letchworth Reds 12 v Newport Oaks 6
Reds Team: Robert Staddon (6), David Clancey (6), Trish Noble (7), Tracy Martin (10)
Newport Oaks: Fran Lambert (6), Tim Ham (6), John Sibson (8), Peter Cowper (9)
The Reds played their final game in the first round of the GC Handicap League Central area and were delighted to make it a clean sweep of 5 out of 5 wins. Both Robert/David and Trish/Tracy got the match off to a great start by winning their Doubles games 7-6 and in the next two rounds the Oaks were only able to manage one win out of a possible 8. The Reds eased up a bit after lunch and the afternoon session gave the Oaks a chance to pull some in by winning 5 out of 8. Many of the games were amazingly close and went to the golden hoop, the Oaks were great opponents and we all enjoyed the day considerably.
Another great team effort but, winning all of her games and reducing her handicap to a 6, Trish Noble (playing her first game for the Reds) was doubtless the Man of the Match. Tracy, in winning 3 out of 4 singles, has finally reduced her handicap to a 9. Graham Styles was time/score keeper and kept us all in order!
The Reds will now be playing in the semi-final at Colchester on 18th September against the winners of the Eastern area matches.
Friday 29 April 2016 – EACF GC Handicap League
Letchworth Reds 11 v Letchworth Blues 7
Reds Team: David Clancey (6), Robert Staddon (7), Graham Styles (8), Tracy Martin (10)
Blues Team: Peter Aspinall (4), Colin Gregory (6), Andy Kennedy (8), Andrea Carr (9)
The first match of the season and the Reds got off to a cracking start by winning both their Doubles games. David /Graham beat Peter/Andy 7-6 and Robert/Tracy went to full time to beat Colin/Andrea 6-5. The Reds then got into a winning streak taking 7 of the following 8 games. Matters changed after lunch when the Reds suffered a down-turn and the Blues came back with a vengeance taking 6 of the remaining 8 games. However, the Doubles wins stood the Reds in good stead as they took the match 11-7 (hoops 112-98) – Man of the Match was Robert Staddon who won his doubles and all 4 singles. A good days croquet was topped off with tea and cakes and a good time was had by all!!
Friday 17 June 2016 EACF GC Handicap League
Newport Elms 8 v Letchworth Reds 10
Reds Team: David Clancey (7), Robert Staddon (6), Graham Styles (8), Tracy Martin (10)
Elms Team: Bob Leeds (6), Roy Darling (5), Helen Manley (9), Ernie Turkington (11)
Letchworth Reds played away at Newport and, once again, had a day of mixed weather – a warm and sunny morning followed by our traditional soaking in the afternoon! But we had a great day of croquet against a strong Elms team. The Reds got off to a good start, winning both the opening Doubles games : Graham/ David v Bob/Helen 7-2 and Tracy/Robert v Roy/Ernie 7-5 . Man of the Match was definitely David Clancey who won his doubles and all four of his singles games, Tracy and Graham each managed to win their doubles and win two, lose two singles – bringing in a winning total of 10 games – but a close run thing as there was only 2 hoops difference over the whole day (101 v 99). A very enjoyable day among the very hospitable Newport team.
Wednesday 22 June 2016 – EACF GC Handicap League –
Enfield (E) 8 v Letchworth Reds 10
Reds Team: Peter Ross (2), David Clancey (7), Graham Styles (8), Tracy Martin (10)
Enfield (E): David Frost (1), Tony Elliott (3), Brian Sturt (8), Alan Foott (9)
Our rainy away day at Enfield got off to a so-so start – the doubles pair of Peter and Tracy lost their game (7-4), while David and Graham had a 7-5 win. The Reds inched slowly ahead for the first three rounds of the singles games and were 9-5 ahead starting Round 4. Disaster almost took us to a draw when the next 3 results in were losses for Letchworth. Thankfully Peter Ross just beat Alan Foott (and his 7 bisques) at the golden hoop securing a narrow win for a relieved Letchworth. Peter won all 4 of his singles games making him our Man of the Match and we all enjoyed our day out with the ever-welcoming Enfield East team.
Tuesday 28 June 2016 EACF GC Handicap League
- Letchworth Reds 13 v Enfield (W) 5
Reds Team: Robert Staddon (6), David Clancey (7), Graham Styles (8), Tracy Martin (10)
Enfield (W): Brian Dawes (3), John Street (4), Peter Brock (7), Michael Broadway (8)
Our first match at home this month (and no rain for a change) and the Reds took full advantage of playing on home ground. The friendly Enfield team gave us a really good and enjoyable day’s play but we had a slightly worrying start when the Doubles round came in at one win each- Robert and Tracy losing 2-7 to Brian Dawes and John Street but David and Graham won against Peter Brock and Michael Broadway with an amazing 7-1 score-line. Letchworth then got into their stride and won 8 of the next 12 games. We could then have been heading for another tense potential draw situation but Round 4 of the Singles saw a huge team effort and we all four won our games 7-5 –giving us a huge winning margin of 8 games and making 113 hoops to 85 on the way. Tracy and Robert both won their 4 singles and David won 3 of his, thereby reducing his handicap to a 6 again – A good all-round team effort.
AWAY FRIENDLY DOUBLES MATCH – Letchworth v Newport Monday 5 July 2016
Letchworth Team/Pairs: Peter Aspinall/Tracy Martin, Colin Gregory/Andy Allen, Graham Styles/Jan Scroggins, Ray Scroggins/Margo Leach.
In the best weather we can remember playing in at Newport we had a splendid day’s croquet against various and varied pairs of Newport players. – at least 10 of their members played in a variety of combinations throughout the days. Four games each – 16 games in total and, as the final game ended, we were all pleased to find that – after all the ups and downs of the day - we had managed a draw –the score being 8 games each. We had all had such an enjoyable day that, after a breather for tea and cake, we all played an additional game in the glorious surroundings and in lovely warm sunshine –the result was again a draw at 2 games each!! Our thanks to Newport for such an excellent day out.
Tracy Martin.
Monday 1 August 2016 - EACF GC Handicap League
Letchworth Reds 12 v Newport Oaks 6
Reds Team: Robert Staddon (6), David Clancey (6), Trish Noble (7), Tracy Martin (10)
Newport Oaks: Fran Lambert (6), Tim Ham (6), John Sibson (8), Peter Cowper (9)
The Reds played their final game in the first round of the GC Handicap League Central area and were delighted to make it a clean sweep of 5 out of 5 wins. Both Robert/David and Trish/Tracy got the match off to a great start by winning their Doubles games 7-6 and in the next two rounds the Oaks were only able to manage one win out of a possible 8. The Reds eased up a bit after lunch and the afternoon session gave the Oaks a chance to pull some in by winning 5 out of 8. Many of the games were amazingly close and went to the golden hoop, the Oaks were great opponents and we all enjoyed the day considerably.
Another great team effort but, winning all of her games and reducing her handicap to a 6, Trish Noble (playing her first game for the Reds) was doubtless the Man of the Match. Tracy, in winning 3 out of 4 singles, has finally reduced her handicap to a 9. Graham Styles was time/score keeper and kept us all in order!
The Reds will now be playing in the semi-final at Colchester on 18th September against the winners of the Eastern area matches.
Letchworth Blues win 12-6 against Newport Elms on 16th August
GC Level League Letchworth v Enfield 20th August
Duncan writes:-
Yesterday Letchworth beat Enfield 13-5 in the Golf Croquet Level League. Our team was Duncan. David Tutt, Jeremy Scott and Peter Whiting.
This was the last match of the season and we came 2nd in the League having beaten Leighton Linslade, Watford, Enfield and Chelmsford but lost 8-10 to Northampton.
The other members of the team during the season were Ian Mantle, John Noble and John Skingsley.
Duncan writes:-
Yesterday Letchworth beat Enfield 13-5 in the Golf Croquet Level League. Our team was Duncan. David Tutt, Jeremy Scott and Peter Whiting.
This was the last match of the season and we came 2nd in the League having beaten Leighton Linslade, Watford, Enfield and Chelmsford but lost 8-10 to Northampton.
The other members of the team during the season were Ian Mantle, John Noble and John Skingsley.
