Match Reports 2025
Friendly Doubles match v Meldreth
October 21st
Our Letchworth team won their Friendly Doubles match against 7 players from Meldreth this week - a great achievement as Meldreth consistently do very well in the East Anglia Federation leagues - and again won their area B level (handicap3+) this year. Meldreth were playing two handicap 3 players and one handicap 4 with a combined team handicap total of 43 - our lowest Letchworth player was a handicap 6 (Stuart Haggert) and our combined handicap was 67 so, on reckoning, we were fairly outclassed. Each of the four rounds consisted of 3 Doubles games and one Singles and I am so proud of our team who won the day 9 games to 7 (90 hoops to 81).
It was a very enjoyable, friendly day, played in good spirits by all throughout Special mention John Hall, Susanne Milan and Cliff Banks who each won three out of four Doubles games, Robin Mead won two Doubles and was narrowly beaten at the golden hoop in the Singles. Tracy Martin was the only one to win her Singles game, helped by having a higher handicap opponent and 4 successful jump shots!! Susanne Milan, Julia Goodwin and Janet Mathews who were playing in their first match all played extremely well, enjoyed the day and won at least one of their games.
October 21st
Our Letchworth team won their Friendly Doubles match against 7 players from Meldreth this week - a great achievement as Meldreth consistently do very well in the East Anglia Federation leagues - and again won their area B level (handicap3+) this year. Meldreth were playing two handicap 3 players and one handicap 4 with a combined team handicap total of 43 - our lowest Letchworth player was a handicap 6 (Stuart Haggert) and our combined handicap was 67 so, on reckoning, we were fairly outclassed. Each of the four rounds consisted of 3 Doubles games and one Singles and I am so proud of our team who won the day 9 games to 7 (90 hoops to 81).
It was a very enjoyable, friendly day, played in good spirits by all throughout Special mention John Hall, Susanne Milan and Cliff Banks who each won three out of four Doubles games, Robin Mead won two Doubles and was narrowly beaten at the golden hoop in the Singles. Tracy Martin was the only one to win her Singles game, helped by having a higher handicap opponent and 4 successful jump shots!! Susanne Milan, Julia Goodwin and Janet Mathews who were playing in their first match all played extremely well, enjoyed the day and won at least one of their games.
On Saturday 4 October, Letchworth hosted the final of Croquet England's premier club competition, the AC Inter Club final.
First competed for in 1906.
This is the first time the final has been played in Hertfordshire; indeed, it is thought that it is the first time the final has been played in the area covered by the East Federation
Bowdon (Manchester) took on Surbiton (South London) in a repeat of the 2018 final
Both teams fielded strong players. Of the eight players, seven were inside the world top 100. There was the highest ranked teenager in the world (Jack Good, Bowdon) and a former world champion (Stephen Mulliner, Surbiton).
The morning session was close and at lunchtime Surbiton led 2-1
Four singles matches in the afternoon, with at one stage Bowdon up in three. Surbiton held their nerve and came through winners 5-2
Without doubt, the best finish was Nick Parish's triple peel against Angharrod Walters. The peelee jawsed in hoop 12 and so was jumped. It was then bombarded through with a past roll to give Nick a rush to peg.
The players were very appreciative of the good courts despite the efforts off Storm Amy the previous day.
Finally, it should be noted that several of the players are off to Florida later this month for the World Championships – which should be broadcast on YouTube (20 to 26 October).
First competed for in 1906.
This is the first time the final has been played in Hertfordshire; indeed, it is thought that it is the first time the final has been played in the area covered by the East Federation
Bowdon (Manchester) took on Surbiton (South London) in a repeat of the 2018 final
Both teams fielded strong players. Of the eight players, seven were inside the world top 100. There was the highest ranked teenager in the world (Jack Good, Bowdon) and a former world champion (Stephen Mulliner, Surbiton).
The morning session was close and at lunchtime Surbiton led 2-1
Four singles matches in the afternoon, with at one stage Bowdon up in three. Surbiton held their nerve and came through winners 5-2
Without doubt, the best finish was Nick Parish's triple peel against Angharrod Walters. The peelee jawsed in hoop 12 and so was jumped. It was then bombarded through with a past roll to give Nick a rush to peg.
The players were very appreciative of the good courts despite the efforts off Storm Amy the previous day.
Finally, it should be noted that several of the players are off to Florida later this month for the World Championships – which should be broadcast on YouTube (20 to 26 October).
GC Open League match v Enfield
September 5th
Won 11 - 7
Our final match of 2025 was at home to Enfield.
The courts were in great condition. The weather set fair. And the Enfield team: Kim Taylor, David Barnicoat, Colin Carver and Nigel Owen were a pleasure to host and enjoyable opponents to play against. A bright future for Enfield, but they remain rivals nonetheless. And Letchworth opened the play with a clear determination to win as Heather and John, and Kevin and Brian won both doubles. The match result was set if not quite secured by the halfway point as with just two rounds of singles remaining Letchworth were 7-3 up. It was sufficient to halve the final rounds to deliver an 11-7 (108-94) victory. The margins were often fine, as the hoop difference suggests, but once again we managed to find a way to cross the winning line. Congratulations.
Significantly, this win gave Letchworth second place in the league behind Watford, who again remained unbeaten. The significance of our win at Northampton, the first for many years, is now all to obvious as without it they would have been in second place, again.
Huge congratulations to all those who played this season: Brian, Colin, David, Heather and Kevin - a small but select group!
September 5th
Won 11 - 7
Our final match of 2025 was at home to Enfield.
The courts were in great condition. The weather set fair. And the Enfield team: Kim Taylor, David Barnicoat, Colin Carver and Nigel Owen were a pleasure to host and enjoyable opponents to play against. A bright future for Enfield, but they remain rivals nonetheless. And Letchworth opened the play with a clear determination to win as Heather and John, and Kevin and Brian won both doubles. The match result was set if not quite secured by the halfway point as with just two rounds of singles remaining Letchworth were 7-3 up. It was sufficient to halve the final rounds to deliver an 11-7 (108-94) victory. The margins were often fine, as the hoop difference suggests, but once again we managed to find a way to cross the winning line. Congratulations.
Significantly, this win gave Letchworth second place in the league behind Watford, who again remained unbeaten. The significance of our win at Northampton, the first for many years, is now all to obvious as without it they would have been in second place, again.
Huge congratulations to all those who played this season: Brian, Colin, David, Heather and Kevin - a small but select group!
Letchworth Croquet Club: Report on GC Fun Doubles 50, 31 August 2025
The billing as ‘End of Summer’ was appropriate, with a cool wind across the lawn, but the sun did shine, and there was only a brief two-minute rain shower. The 28 members played seven 18-minute short rounds, and the ‘hoop difference’ (positive or negative) scores were totalled. The top individual scorers were:
1 Ray Scroggins + 10 3= Robin Mead + 5
2 Ian Perry + 9 3= Kathryn Sandiforth + 5
3= Susan Burges + 5 7= Ann Baker + 4
3= Graham Styles + 5 7= Vernon McClure + 4
In the final two games Ray Scroggins & Susan Burges beat Ian Perry & Kathryn Sandiforth 4 – 3, while Graham Styles & Vernon McClure beat Ann Baker & Robin Mead 5 – 4.
Winning pair: Graham Styles and Vernon McClure
Highest Individual Score: Ray Scroggins
Our thanks are due to
The Answers to the Quiz were:
1 In tertiary colours Purple plays with Turquoise against Orange and Grey.
2 (a) The club was founded in 1987.
(b) The move from Willian Way to Muddy Lane was in 2006.
(c) The shelter was opened in 2010.
(d) The automatic lawn irrigation was installed in 2023.
3 (a) CASC stands for Community Amateur Sports Club.
(b) This status allows for Gift Aid claims from HMRC against tax paid.
4 (a) There are seven members names Susan, Sue or Susanne.
(b) Amongst members the commonest men’s forename is John.
5 (a) Jan and Ray Scroggins have attended more Fun Doubles than any other couple.
(b) In the event of May 2018 the numbers of men and women were equal.
(c) The greatest ever number of players (in September 2019) was 32.
6 The current Grounds Team are Rhodes, Mathews, Davies and Perry.
The highest scoring quiz entry was from Andrea Carr, who won a bottle of wine.
I shall leave the quiz entries in the Fun Doubles folder in the shelter, so that members may reclaim their souvenir programmes.
Colin
Secretary
01.09.25
The billing as ‘End of Summer’ was appropriate, with a cool wind across the lawn, but the sun did shine, and there was only a brief two-minute rain shower. The 28 members played seven 18-minute short rounds, and the ‘hoop difference’ (positive or negative) scores were totalled. The top individual scorers were:
1 Ray Scroggins + 10 3= Robin Mead + 5
2 Ian Perry + 9 3= Kathryn Sandiforth + 5
3= Susan Burges + 5 7= Ann Baker + 4
3= Graham Styles + 5 7= Vernon McClure + 4
In the final two games Ray Scroggins & Susan Burges beat Ian Perry & Kathryn Sandiforth 4 – 3, while Graham Styles & Vernon McClure beat Ann Baker & Robin Mead 5 – 4.
Winning pair: Graham Styles and Vernon McClure
Highest Individual Score: Ray Scroggins
Our thanks are due to
- Stuart & Sheila Haggett and Ian & Karen Perry for erecting the gazebos;
- Tracy Martin for serving tea;
- Anne Barrance as timekeeper and scorer;
- Andrea Carr for taking photos and posting these on the website.
The Answers to the Quiz were:
1 In tertiary colours Purple plays with Turquoise against Orange and Grey.
2 (a) The club was founded in 1987.
(b) The move from Willian Way to Muddy Lane was in 2006.
(c) The shelter was opened in 2010.
(d) The automatic lawn irrigation was installed in 2023.
3 (a) CASC stands for Community Amateur Sports Club.
(b) This status allows for Gift Aid claims from HMRC against tax paid.
4 (a) There are seven members names Susan, Sue or Susanne.
(b) Amongst members the commonest men’s forename is John.
5 (a) Jan and Ray Scroggins have attended more Fun Doubles than any other couple.
(b) In the event of May 2018 the numbers of men and women were equal.
(c) The greatest ever number of players (in September 2019) was 32.
6 The current Grounds Team are Rhodes, Mathews, Davies and Perry.
The highest scoring quiz entry was from Andrea Carr, who won a bottle of wine.
I shall leave the quiz entries in the Fun Doubles folder in the shelter, so that members may reclaim their souvenir programmes.
Colin
Secretary
01.09.25
Ken Wheeler Shield Tournament
East Anglian Croquet Federation, comprising the six counties of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, & Suffolk, run an annual inter counties level play Golf Croquet tournament competing for the 'Ken Wheeler Shield' donated in 2011 by the President of Hunstanton Croquet Club.
There are three players per team and the total aggregate handicap for each team is not less than 5. Each team is required to play each other over 3 rounds, comprising 4 doubles and 2 singles games per player, the winners attracting 1 point per game win. A fourth Gold Medal Round of singles games, worth 3 points, is added to the team's total. The highest points total at the end of the match is declared the winner.
This year the tournament was held at Wrest Park on Sunday 3rd August.
Cambridgeshire were leading until the fourth round when the three Hertfordshire players, John Taylor, Colin Davies & Stuart Haggett, all members of Letchworh Croquet Club, dug in, won their individual games and took the lead to win the Shield.
It is worth mentioning that two players in the Cambridgeshire team, Peter Ross and Robert Skeen are also members of LCC.
Details of the tournament can be found on the EACF website and the trophy is currently in the shelter, adjacent to the fire extinguisher.
East Anglian Croquet Federation, comprising the six counties of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, & Suffolk, run an annual inter counties level play Golf Croquet tournament competing for the 'Ken Wheeler Shield' donated in 2011 by the President of Hunstanton Croquet Club.
There are three players per team and the total aggregate handicap for each team is not less than 5. Each team is required to play each other over 3 rounds, comprising 4 doubles and 2 singles games per player, the winners attracting 1 point per game win. A fourth Gold Medal Round of singles games, worth 3 points, is added to the team's total. The highest points total at the end of the match is declared the winner.
This year the tournament was held at Wrest Park on Sunday 3rd August.
Cambridgeshire were leading until the fourth round when the three Hertfordshire players, John Taylor, Colin Davies & Stuart Haggett, all members of Letchworh Croquet Club, dug in, won their individual games and took the lead to win the Shield.
It is worth mentioning that two players in the Cambridgeshire team, Peter Ross and Robert Skeen are also members of LCC.
Details of the tournament can be found on the EACF website and the trophy is currently in the shelter, adjacent to the fire extinguisher.
GC Open League match
31 July Match Report:
Newport v Letchworth - Won 14-4
John Noble, Kevin Connolly, David Mathews, Heather Bennett
An outstanding performance from all four Letchworth players ensured a comfortable 14-4 victory. Letchworth 9-1 up at the halfway point and had all but ensured a win, which may explain a late surge by the Newport players - Alex Lake (1) deservedly winning the last two of his four singles games - but by this point the result was not in doubt. Letchworth playing at its best: a good result in all respects.
The final match of the season is at home against Enfield on 7 September.
John Noble
31 July Match Report:
Newport v Letchworth - Won 14-4
John Noble, Kevin Connolly, David Mathews, Heather Bennett
An outstanding performance from all four Letchworth players ensured a comfortable 14-4 victory. Letchworth 9-1 up at the halfway point and had all but ensured a win, which may explain a late surge by the Newport players - Alex Lake (1) deservedly winning the last two of his four singles games - but by this point the result was not in doubt. Letchworth playing at its best: a good result in all respects.
The final match of the season is at home against Enfield on 7 September.
John Noble
AC League match v Enfield away
July 27th
Result Letchworth 4 - Enfield 2
The AC match at Enfield yesterday
went well, the weather was good and the hosts were very welcoming.
It was a hard fought match and both them and us battled for every hoop.
After the two double's games it was a draw, one all.
We all did our best and Sheila, Colin and I won our singles games so overall Letchworth won 4 - 2
We chatted over tea & cakes at the end & I think we all went home tired but happy
Stuart
July 27th
Result Letchworth 4 - Enfield 2
The AC match at Enfield yesterday
went well, the weather was good and the hosts were very welcoming.
It was a hard fought match and both them and us battled for every hoop.
After the two double's games it was a draw, one all.
We all did our best and Sheila, Colin and I won our singles games so overall Letchworth won 4 - 2
We chatted over tea & cakes at the end & I think we all went home tired but happy
Stuart
GC Open League match.
9 July, Letchworth v Northampton Away
Result: Letchworth 11 - Northampton 9
At last we have something to celebrate. It's true, Letchworth have won a match! And not just any match. Away to Northampton, one of the stronger teams, is a cheering and welcome outcome. Kevin Connolly was the player of the day, winning all four singles. John and Colin also beat Northampton's number one player, Lionel Tibble (-2), so a win always seemed possible. But it was close. Tied 9-9, with the last two doubles games to play: John and Heather saw off Pete and Mike who seemed to have wilted in the afternoon heat while Kevin and Colin cruised to a 7-2 win against Lionel and Glynis to secure the overall win.
I don't want to tempt fate, but one can perhaps begin to hope that one draw and one win (so far) might just be enough to avoid the wooden spoon for a third year running.
John Noble
9 July, Letchworth v Northampton Away
Result: Letchworth 11 - Northampton 9
At last we have something to celebrate. It's true, Letchworth have won a match! And not just any match. Away to Northampton, one of the stronger teams, is a cheering and welcome outcome. Kevin Connolly was the player of the day, winning all four singles. John and Colin also beat Northampton's number one player, Lionel Tibble (-2), so a win always seemed possible. But it was close. Tied 9-9, with the last two doubles games to play: John and Heather saw off Pete and Mike who seemed to have wilted in the afternoon heat while Kevin and Colin cruised to a 7-2 win against Lionel and Glynis to secure the overall win.
I don't want to tempt fate, but one can perhaps begin to hope that one draw and one win (so far) might just be enough to avoid the wooden spoon for a third year running.
John Noble
Falcons lost 14 - 4 away to Watford on 18th June.
Team was:
Graham Styles
John Hall
Robin Mead
Anne Mead
Lots of very close games, but unfortunately not reflected in the score. Man of the match was Robin Mead who won 2 singles on his first outing for Falcons.
Team was:
Graham Styles
John Hall
Robin Mead
Anne Mead
Lots of very close games, but unfortunately not reflected in the score. Man of the match was Robin Mead who won 2 singles on his first outing for Falcons.
GC Open League match Letchworth v Wrest Park
May 27th
An 'interesting' game: match abandoned after Round 4.
Match tied: Letchworth 7 (76) v Wrest Park 7 (74)
Ross and I agreed to abandon the match after the third round of singles to ensure the wellbeing of our players, particularly the more elderly participants, and to prevent damage to the courts. The weather had deteriorated mid morning and we had endured two hours of persistent heavy rain and strong winds by the end of Round 4. With no sign of it easing that afternoon, and with the match at an honourable draw we agreed that the sensible course of action was to abandon further play. We shook hands, ate cake, and went home happy. A good result in my book
John Noble
.
May 27th
An 'interesting' game: match abandoned after Round 4.
Match tied: Letchworth 7 (76) v Wrest Park 7 (74)
Ross and I agreed to abandon the match after the third round of singles to ensure the wellbeing of our players, particularly the more elderly participants, and to prevent damage to the courts. The weather had deteriorated mid morning and we had endured two hours of persistent heavy rain and strong winds by the end of Round 4. With no sign of it easing that afternoon, and with the match at an honourable draw we agreed that the sensible course of action was to abandon further play. We shook hands, ate cake, and went home happy. A good result in my book
John Noble
.
Falcons GC match v Enfield
May 17th
Tracy, David C, Graham Styles and Sue B played Enfield yesterday. They had an enjoyable day but sadly lost 3 hoops to Enfields 15.
Let's hope for better luck next time!
May 17th
Tracy, David C, Graham Styles and Sue B played Enfield yesterday. They had an enjoyable day but sadly lost 3 hoops to Enfields 15.
Let's hope for better luck next time!
Letchworth Croquet Club: Report on GC Fun Doubles, 4 May 2025
It was a cold but, thankfully, dry afternoon for 28 players on Sunday. It was very pleasing to welcome new members, playing competitively following the beginners’ coaching course. After the seven 18-minute short games the ‘hoop difference’ (positive or negative) scores were totalled. The top individual scorers were:
1 Anne Mead + 10
2 Bruce Carr + 8
3= David Green + 6
3= Ian Perry + 6
3= Jane Sparkes + 6
6 Paul Guram + 5
7= Cliff Banks + 4
7= Karen Perry + 4
9= Susan Burges + 3
9= Keith Rhodes + 3
Eighteen other players scored +1, or zero, or negatively.
The top eight were paired off for the final two games. After a further eighteen minutes, one game was tied 3 – 3, and the other was tied 2 – 2. Deadlock, with no winner, and all four pairs still with a chance. The games were continued to ‘sudden death’ to establish the first-scoring winner, which was green.
Winning pair: David Green and Karen Perry
Highest Individual Score: Anne Mead
Our thanks are due to
The next GC Fun Doubles (with Strawberry Tea) will be on Sunday 15 June, and entry forms will be available in mid-May. The event may be very popular; make your entry promptly to secure your place.
Colin
Secretary
It was a cold but, thankfully, dry afternoon for 28 players on Sunday. It was very pleasing to welcome new members, playing competitively following the beginners’ coaching course. After the seven 18-minute short games the ‘hoop difference’ (positive or negative) scores were totalled. The top individual scorers were:
1 Anne Mead + 10
2 Bruce Carr + 8
3= David Green + 6
3= Ian Perry + 6
3= Jane Sparkes + 6
6 Paul Guram + 5
7= Cliff Banks + 4
7= Karen Perry + 4
9= Susan Burges + 3
9= Keith Rhodes + 3
Eighteen other players scored +1, or zero, or negatively.
The top eight were paired off for the final two games. After a further eighteen minutes, one game was tied 3 – 3, and the other was tied 2 – 2. Deadlock, with no winner, and all four pairs still with a chance. The games were continued to ‘sudden death’ to establish the first-scoring winner, which was green.
Winning pair: David Green and Karen Perry
Highest Individual Score: Anne Mead
Our thanks are due to
- Stuart & Sheila, Terence and Ann Baker for dealing with the gazebos;
- Heather and Jan Trollope for serving tea;
- Anne Barrance for keeping the scores.
The next GC Fun Doubles (with Strawberry Tea) will be on Sunday 15 June, and entry forms will be available in mid-May. The event may be very popular; make your entry promptly to secure your place.
Colin
Secretary
Falcon's B-level match v Leighton Linslade
April 25th
On 25th April Falcons team of David Clancey, John Hall, Tony Hyde and Terence Ilott played a home match against last year's league winners Leighton Linslade.
The resulting score was 9 - 9 but Leighton won 102 hoops to our 99, so are the victors.
Everyone in the team played well. Terence, playing his first B Level competition, made a major contribution to the overall score. Well done to him and the rest of the team too.