Match Reports 2023
.GC Open League
Letchworth played their last match on 8 August and finished in fine style cruising to victory over Wrest Park 11-7 to finish the season with four wins from five games and a guaranteed second place. It is still possible mathematically for Letchworth to win the league, but as that would require both Watford and Newport to beat the favourites, Northampton, and by a large hoop difference, it seems a vain hope. But we will know for sure by 9 September.
Thanks to Heather Bennett, Kevin Connolly, Colin Davies and Brian Havill for their commitment and unwavering support. They have all played extremely well. Over the five matches the team has won 51 individual games, losing only 43. A 60% success rate is an achievement to celebrate. We have agreed to hold (ir)regular match-practice sessions on Saturday mornings throughout the winter months, in the hope that we can do at least as well again next year.
John Noble
Letchworth played their last match on 8 August and finished in fine style cruising to victory over Wrest Park 11-7 to finish the season with four wins from five games and a guaranteed second place. It is still possible mathematically for Letchworth to win the league, but as that would require both Watford and Newport to beat the favourites, Northampton, and by a large hoop difference, it seems a vain hope. But we will know for sure by 9 September.
Thanks to Heather Bennett, Kevin Connolly, Colin Davies and Brian Havill for their commitment and unwavering support. They have all played extremely well. Over the five matches the team has won 51 individual games, losing only 43. A 60% success rate is an achievement to celebrate. We have agreed to hold (ir)regular match-practice sessions on Saturday mornings throughout the winter months, in the hope that we can do at least as well again next year.
John Noble
The B level match Falcons against Wrest Park on Friday 28th July was close and very enjoyable - and we so nearly won!! An 9-9 draw after the Doubles and 4 Singles, match manager Richard Keighley had us all play another set of Doubles and we unfortunately lost both. End result - a win for Wrest Park 11-9
Team: David Clancey, Stuart Haggett, Sheila Haggett, Tracy Martin.
Team: David Clancey, Stuart Haggett, Sheila Haggett, Tracy Martin.
2023 GC Open League
The story so far...
Letchworth has an excellent start to the season hosting last year’s winners, Watford, and winning by a comfortable margin 12-8. Watford were under-strength on the day, but it was good show from the home team nonetheless. We then played two away games in quick succession: travelling to Northampton where we struggled to a 6-12 defeat; then to Newport where we fared better, securing an 11-7 win.
Most recently (21 July), we hosted Enfield beating them 11-9. This was the first outing this year for Heather Bennett, who got two good scalps beating both David Frost and Peter Brock in her singles as well as winning both doubles. With Kevin Connolly now down to scratch and taking over the role vacated by the retirement of John Skingsley as our most consistent scorer, Letchworth once again has a team capable of holding its own.
Our next and final match is at home to Wrest Park on Tuesday 8 August. We have already exceeded last year’s rather disappointing showing (we finished bottom), and a win would certainly put us near the top.
John Noble
The story so far...
Letchworth has an excellent start to the season hosting last year’s winners, Watford, and winning by a comfortable margin 12-8. Watford were under-strength on the day, but it was good show from the home team nonetheless. We then played two away games in quick succession: travelling to Northampton where we struggled to a 6-12 defeat; then to Newport where we fared better, securing an 11-7 win.
Most recently (21 July), we hosted Enfield beating them 11-9. This was the first outing this year for Heather Bennett, who got two good scalps beating both David Frost and Peter Brock in her singles as well as winning both doubles. With Kevin Connolly now down to scratch and taking over the role vacated by the retirement of John Skingsley as our most consistent scorer, Letchworth once again has a team capable of holding its own.
Our next and final match is at home to Wrest Park on Tuesday 8 August. We have already exceeded last year’s rather disappointing showing (we finished bottom), and a win would certainly put us near the top.
John Noble
EACF HANDICAP GOLF CROQUET HANDICAP LEAGUE - Letchworth v Enfield E
July 18th
Letchworth had the pleasure of hosting an Enfield team at home on Tuesday and a pleasant day was had by all - and it stayed dry!!
Letchworth Team: David Clancey, Graham Styles, Tracy Martin, Tony Hyde (Handicap aggregate 25)
Enfield E Team: Dave Hill, Nicola Hyde, Ian Moore, Frank Palmer (Handicap aggregate 25)
Two evenly handicapped teams - and a close match most of the way through. All our players contributed equally to a 10-8 win for Letchworth. Enfield were slightly ahead at the lunch break but Letchworth rose to the challenge winning 6 of the remaining 8 singles - the last game between our David (5) and their Frank (10) looked to be a real cliff-hanger from the veranda but David actually won by a convincing 7-3. All Enfield players stayed behind after the match for a very convivial get together over tea and cake.
July 18th
Letchworth had the pleasure of hosting an Enfield team at home on Tuesday and a pleasant day was had by all - and it stayed dry!!
Letchworth Team: David Clancey, Graham Styles, Tracy Martin, Tony Hyde (Handicap aggregate 25)
Enfield E Team: Dave Hill, Nicola Hyde, Ian Moore, Frank Palmer (Handicap aggregate 25)
Two evenly handicapped teams - and a close match most of the way through. All our players contributed equally to a 10-8 win for Letchworth. Enfield were slightly ahead at the lunch break but Letchworth rose to the challenge winning 6 of the remaining 8 singles - the last game between our David (5) and their Frank (10) looked to be a real cliff-hanger from the veranda but David actually won by a convincing 7-3. All Enfield players stayed behind after the match for a very convivial get together over tea and cake.
.AC League Match Report: Letchworth v Northampton @ Home – 9 July
Result: Match Tied 3-3
Honours even in AC league match against Northampton. Two evenly matched teams playing on our superb courts and in glorious weather made for a really enjoyable day of croquet. The morning doubles were halved 1-1. The afternoon went a similar way. Letchworth took an early lead as John saw off Nick Evans. Jeremy and Colin had less success against James Skelton and Jane Evans; Colin just missing out -1 on time. But the highlight of the day was a first peg-out for Sheila Haggett, who beat fellow handicap 20, Mel Christie, in convincing style. Congratulations!
John N
Result: Match Tied 3-3
Honours even in AC league match against Northampton. Two evenly matched teams playing on our superb courts and in glorious weather made for a really enjoyable day of croquet. The morning doubles were halved 1-1. The afternoon went a similar way. Letchworth took an early lead as John saw off Nick Evans. Jeremy and Colin had less success against James Skelton and Jane Evans; Colin just missing out -1 on time. But the highlight of the day was a first peg-out for Sheila Haggett, who beat fellow handicap 20, Mel Christie, in convincing style. Congratulations!
John N
Falcons v Northampton GC level play match report June 2nd
Falcons recorded their first win of the season in their home game against Northampton. The team, ably captained by David Clancey, included Andy Kennedy, Tony Hyde and Sarah Brame. They won 11 games to 9. Well done them!
Falcons v Watford GC level play match report June 29th
Colin Davies captained a team which also included Heather Bennett, John Hall and Colin Gregory. Unfortunately they lost 6 games to Watford’s 12. The score however did not reflect the closeness of the games as there was an astonishing nine games that were 7-6! Sadly all of them went to Watford, oddly however the total hoops scored were 107 to Watford and 108 to Falcons. The Colin’s did especially well as they won their doubles and 5 singles.
Falcons recorded their first win of the season in their home game against Northampton. The team, ably captained by David Clancey, included Andy Kennedy, Tony Hyde and Sarah Brame. They won 11 games to 9. Well done them!
Falcons v Watford GC level play match report June 29th
Colin Davies captained a team which also included Heather Bennett, John Hall and Colin Gregory. Unfortunately they lost 6 games to Watford’s 12. The score however did not reflect the closeness of the games as there was an astonishing nine games that were 7-6! Sadly all of them went to Watford, oddly however the total hoops scored were 107 to Watford and 108 to Falcons. The Colin’s did especially well as they won their doubles and 5 singles.
EACF GC Handicap match v Newport Elms June 6th
Hooray - another win for the Handicap team! Letchworth won 11 - 7
Playing were Graham Styles (6), Tracy Martin (6), Andy Kennedy (7), and Tony Hyde (8) against a team of a 4 and 3 Sixes. All Letchworth players were in fine form - especially Graham who beat Alex Lake, their 4 handicapper, 7-1. All rounds were even-stevens at 2 wins each - apart from the second round of Singles where we won all four games - this was enough to clinch the match 11-7. A very pleasant day's play against a some very nice people.
Hooray - another win for the Handicap team! Letchworth won 11 - 7
Playing were Graham Styles (6), Tracy Martin (6), Andy Kennedy (7), and Tony Hyde (8) against a team of a 4 and 3 Sixes. All Letchworth players were in fine form - especially Graham who beat Alex Lake, their 4 handicapper, 7-1. All rounds were even-stevens at 2 wins each - apart from the second round of Singles where we won all four games - this was enough to clinch the match 11-7. A very pleasant day's play against a some very nice people.
EACF GC Handicap match v Newport Oaks May 13th
I am delighted to report that the Letchworth team beat Newport Oaks 11-7 in the recent match at Newport. Letchworth started off well, winning both Doubles games and continued to play well for the rest of the day. Congratulations to Philip Ward who, in his first ever match, won all four of his singles games and well done Andy Kennedy who, once again, won all four of his.
Tracy Martin
I am delighted to report that the Letchworth team beat Newport Oaks 11-7 in the recent match at Newport. Letchworth started off well, winning both Doubles games and continued to play well for the rest of the day. Congratulations to Philip Ward who, in his first ever match, won all four of his singles games and well done Andy Kennedy who, once again, won all four of his.
Tracy Martin
Falcons v Leighton Linslade April 29th
Despite our efforts we were hopelessly out classed by a very good side. Leighton won 14 games to 4 leaving us feeling very disappointed. On a good note the sun shone and the cake was good!
Team was
Colin Davies,Trish, Tracy, Andy Kennedy
EACF AC match v Wrest Park May 10th
Sorry to report that we lost this home league match against a very strong Wrest Park side 2-4.
It all went down to the golden hoop on the last singles game, but we were pipped at the post.
Sorry to report that we lost this home league match against a very strong Wrest Park side 2-4.
It all went down to the golden hoop on the last singles game, but we were pipped at the post.
EACF GC Handicap match v Meldreth April 27th
The Letchworth team of Sarah Brame, Andy Kennedy, David Clancey and myself (Tracy Martin) won our first match of the season today. Score was 10-8, with Andy Kennedy our Man of the Match winning his Doubles and all 4 singles. Meldreth have won the Handicap League 2 out of the last three years so I think we did very well. Next match is at Newport with Trish Noble as Captain - Good Luck to the team.
The Letchworth team of Sarah Brame, Andy Kennedy, David Clancey and myself (Tracy Martin) won our first match of the season today. Score was 10-8, with Andy Kennedy our Man of the Match winning his Doubles and all 4 singles. Meldreth have won the Handicap League 2 out of the last three years so I think we did very well. Next match is at Newport with Trish Noble as Captain - Good Luck to the team.
.GC Open League - Mon 17 April
Letchworth got off to a flying start to the season beating last year’s winner, Watford, by 12 games to 8 in the opening match of 2023. The teams were evenly matched on paper with aggregate handicaps of +5, largely due to Watford being without their top two players, both of whom are handicap -3. Watford took an early lead by winning both opening doubles, but Letchworth were more than a match in the singles taking the score to 10-8 by the end of Round 5, which left just the two final doubles games to play. Watford elected to play them hoping to tie to match, but ultimately lost both. Well done to Kevin Connolly (2), Colin Davies (3), Brian Havill (1) and John Noble (-1).
Letchworth got off to a flying start to the season beating last year’s winner, Watford, by 12 games to 8 in the opening match of 2023. The teams were evenly matched on paper with aggregate handicaps of +5, largely due to Watford being without their top two players, both of whom are handicap -3. Watford took an early lead by winning both opening doubles, but Letchworth were more than a match in the singles taking the score to 10-8 by the end of Round 5, which left just the two final doubles games to play. Watford elected to play them hoping to tie to match, but ultimately lost both. Well done to Kevin Connolly (2), Colin Davies (3), Brian Havill (1) and John Noble (-1).