Tuesday 21st November - Mat's Madness
Mat Hardy
March’s ‘Golf Croquet Variations Day’ was rebranded as “Mat’s Madness” for November rather putting the pressure on the eponymous organiser… Hopefully the ‘warm up’ game fulfilled the criteria, 18 hoops, 8 flags and 16 players on one lawn racing to see how many hoops they could run or flags hit in 10 minutes with interference allowed. Trevor claimed 101 points (1 for a hoop, half for a flag) with Tim W second with 59, but more on this later…..
Two further individual games followed, in effect who could hit through the hoop from the furthest distance, pole vault rules – 3 misses in a row and you are out. Tim W took the honours pipping Mat with a well aimed 8yrd shot. After that the ‘placement’ game, where players tried to hit a ball to within 3yrds of a marker from an ever increasing distance was won by Trevor having run out or lawn.
The first pre-lunch doubles game – “Either Ball” - was simple – on your turn you can hit either yours or your partner’s ball. Next up was “Backwards” – another simple idea – to win the hoop a ball has to have run it ‘backwards’ first, and then in the normal direction. You could see the cogs whirring from the clubhouse...
Lunch was a feast of pies, from WW2 corned beef to curried cottage pie and apple and mince meat to trifle (yes, I know that’s not a pie…) for pud.
A game of “Rogue Ball” aimed to get over the post-prandial slump with much brain power required. An additional ball placed in the jaws of the target hoop can be played by any player instead of their ball – you can win the hoop by running it with your own ball or the rogue ball. The ball hasn’t started running the hoop. So what to do? Knocking it onside risks the other team playing it through, a good approach to the hoop can be ruined by a clearance with the rogue ball.
The day ended with “Both Balls” – simply run the hoop with both your teams’ balls to win the hoop. Challenging but also quite a long game – it was getting quite dusky by the end.
Four people ended the day on 4 points – Peggy, Tim W, Trevor and Jane. This meant the scores from the warmup were used to separate the winners – an easy victory for Trevor then? Not as it turns out! Fran turned his steely gaze on Trevor and questioned “how did you get to 101, you weren’t running the hoops in both directions were you?”. “Yes” was the answer – a failure to listen to the rules resulting in instant disqualification!!! Tim W therefore took the prize (and on getting home the score keeper re-totted up the totals and realised he hadn’t counted Tim’s scores properly and he had actually won outright with 5 points…). Special mention to Jane as well who won every one of her doubles games – the only person to do so.
The Grim Reaper
Hubble Bubble
Tuesday 31st October – Spooky Rotating Doubles
Jane Taylor
You have to ask yourself how many Newport festivities draw the attendance of the Grim Reaper but there he was 10am on the dot strutting into the croquet hut! Even more scary was the sudden appearance of a witch fully decked out with a huge, pointed hat, followed by the man with a joker face. More strangely dressed wizards and witches parked up their broomsticks and exchanged them for croquet mallets.
The assembled covens descended to the lawns after a briefing from the Chief Wizard and games took on rapid action, assisted by swirling mists and beastly spells. By lunchtime the Joker (Alex) was in the lead by conjuring three matches in his favour. This helped to put the wizards in a winning position.
The witches stirred the cauldrons in the kitchen, adding the toe of newt (known to render wizards [Especially Jokers - Ed] totally powerless) and served up a feast of soups (thanks to witches Taylor), sausages and baked potatoes (well done Sally). As the assembled covens pleaded for mercy the puddings were rolled out. Wizard Alistair had come up with a cornucopia of sweet potions. Delirious with their deliciousness the witches and wizards descended into sugary oblivion......but not for long. It was time for the covens to take to the lawns and fight it out to the bitter end.
The dusky light saw Penny and Kathy, both recently initiated into the coven, still pounding the balls through the hoops with great dexterity. Amidst the spells and curses cast there emerged the winners, John Bishop who won 4 of five games, with Colin Carr a close second and Jane Taylor 3rd.
As for the battle of the witches and the wizards it all ended in a draw, 6 matches each.
Croquet scores apart, there had to be a winner of the coven fashion parade. It just had to be the Grim Reaper known as Wizard Rod to his friends. Nevertheless, the whole coven really took on the challenge and the outfits were all exceptional.
Thanks to everyone who helped to make the day so supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
Sunday 23rd September - Finals Day
John Glyn-Davis [5?] and Mat Hardy [0] started early, fighting it out for the Roger Ivill Cup. This is the Level Play Singles GC competition, arguably the "Blue Ribband" event of the season. John hadn't played for about 6 weeks following a fall. He told me that this was part of a cunning plan, in that returning from a break often yields a spike in form. I'm not sure that the spike was in evidence on Sunday, as he went down 7-1 7-3 to a ruthless Mat, whose repeated 30 yard clearances made life difficult for John.
The final of the Potter’s Pot, named after Jim Potter, was contested by Sally Carr [7] and Mat Hardy [0]. Sally got off to a flier and the score after two hoops was -3:4, but Mat found his mojo and managed to snatch a 7-6 win in the first game. And the second game was also 7-6, so could hardly be closer. Well done both!
"Player of the Year" is arguably a misnomer for this one, as this title is bestowed upon the individual that has contributed most in non-playing roles. This year's recipient should have been given a cat-collar and leash, as her valiant struggles putting together teams for EACF handicap, level play and open league competitions in the face of injury, unexpected holidays, bad weather and other mishaps have made her life far from easy.
But, Anne Taylor, we salute you!
If there's one GC player at the club that has upped his game more than any other over the last year, it has to be this man, Alistair Robertson. His win in the summer season-long GC handicap leagues, The Chairman's Cup, ahead of such luminaries as Sue Barnes-Bishop showed great consistency. He nearly made the final of the Roger Ivill level play contest as well, losing out to eventual winner Mat. You can witness some of his dogged play here: https://youtu.be/PpWPjE8H0Y8
2024 promises great things for Alistair, and a falling handicap will be a challenge that I'm sure he can overcome!
The President's Plate is the consolation competition for the GC singles players knocked out in the first round of Potter's Pot.
An in-form Steve Dutton faced an even-more-in-form Tony Marks, who rolled back the years with a devastating display of positioning and long range hoop-running.
Well done Tony!
Steve Dutton may have missed out on Presidential Plate glory, but he did not go back to Thaxted empty-handed. His triumph in the winter GC handicap league earned him a small but perfectly formed piece of silverware, The Hardy Cup.
Good one Steve - the defence of your title starts in a week's time!
The last event of finals day was Gordon's Goblet. A handicap doubles GC competition, it was won in great style by Tony Marks and Rod George (left) over Colin Taylor and Rory Perks. Tony was on fire today, having also won the President's Plate competition.
"Tony's been at the club 100 years and never won anything, but today he won two trophies" said club Chairman Des Taylor.
Another competition that reached its climax on Sunday was The Dennis Saville Cup. I'll see if I can find out something about Dennis Saville, but the trophy bearing his name is awarded to the top handicap AC player in the club. Last year Mat [8] beat Cliff Jones [0] +26, Cliff having just 3 shots in the match. This year, the tables were turned and Alex Lake [12] trounced Mat [5] with the same scoreline. Alex did give Mat a couple of opportunities, but they were slim pickings. It was observed that such a game made for poor spectator enjoyment, but such is the way with handicap AC - or really AC in general. Handicap AC is more like a time trial than a battle; the true opponent being one's own handicap.Still, a pot is a pot, and this is one of the more elegant ones!
The more observant of you might be wondering who won the AC level play competition. Well, working dads Dan Neale and James Brind have yet to contest this fixture. Work and children really are the curses of the Croquet-playing classes, so let's bear with them. You'll hear it as soon as the match has concluded.
Alex and Tim W manned the grills with Sally Carr and others organising salads, desserts and the all-important Pimms (Thanks to Mat's Mercy Mission to get it) for a fab barbecue to round off the day. Hopefully it will also have raised funds for the club.
Click on the pictures below to see the competitors in their full glory.
Thursday 31st August - EACF Open League - NCC v Northampton - Away
Northampton had been made homeless following their eviction from Northampton hospital grounds in 2020, and spent some time occupying the outfield of a rugby ground before finding a new site in the village of Roade. They have two lawns that are reasonably flat, but very bumpy indeed, thanks to the lines carved by the seed sowing machines. Two additional lawns are under construction and the future looks bright.
Northampton's lawns may be a work in progress, but their team are certainly not. Led by the legend that is Lionel Tibble (-2), they also numbered Mike Hills (1), Glynis Davies (2) and rising star Peter Tofield (3) and had DGrades ranging from 1849 to 2212. The Newport team of Colin (2), Alex (4), Max (4) and Trevor (6) (DGrades from 1458 to 1757) knew that their chances of a win were slim.
Both doubles games went Northampton's way 7-4, but glimmers of opportunity were spotted. In the first round of singles, Alex (4) managed to pull off an unlikely 7-4 victory against Mike (1). In the second round, Mike went down again, this time to Colin (7-3) and Trevor triumphed over Glynis (2) (7-4). After lunch, Alex beat Peter (3) 7-4, with a rare avoidance of his usual post-prandial malaise. Sadly that was to be the last of our wins. Lionel Tibble gave a masterclass on nonchalant play including long range clearances, jumps a plenty and superb hoop shooting, and was the only player with a 100% record. Glynis played her 222nd level play match of the year – a close win over Alex, a tally unsurpassed by any player anywhere on the planet! Max came close to bagging a win, but a controversial wrong ball error on the golden hoop was no help - neither ball swap nor replace & replay gave him a route back in.
The final score of 14-4 was no disgrace against such opponents.
Alex Lake
Thursday 24th August - EACF B-Level League NCC Harriers v Chelmsford - Home
After a showery start to the day, the weather settled down and the match was played in calm conditions on our super lawns.
Whilst the Harriers provided a masterclass in jump shots, long clearances and seemingly impossible in offs, we were unable to capitalise on this great play and Chelmsford took the match 14-4.
A delicious tea of scones and bara brith was enjoyed before the teams departed.
EACF Handicap League - NCC Oaks v Meldreth - Away - Thursday 17th August
This morning the NCC Oaks team of Anne, Max and Fran arrived, at the particularly lovely lawn at Meldreth, for our Advantage Rules match. None of us had ever visited the club before and we were each fascinated by the location. The lawn is situated behind a very attractive pub and, in the midst of what appears to be a smallholding with chickens, sheep and lambs (there are sometimes pigs too) with a pretty chalk stream a few strides away…
Our team got off to a good start with Max and Fran winning their doubles convincingly; Max making some great clearances and Fran running the hoops from all lengths. Yours truly was alone in winning a singles game; took me a couple of games to get used to the quirks of the lawn…
The final score was 8-2 to Meldreth.
Anne Taylor
AC Anderson Shield - Away - Wednesday 16th August
A Newport team comprising Cliff Jones, Fran Lambert, Andrew Gregory and Max Byfield travelled to Watford for an AC Advanced Handicap semi-final match in the Anderson Shield. After the morning singles and doubles Newport held a 2-1 lead, but in the afternoon singles 2 losses in regulation time meant that we needed to win the last 2 games. Both went to time and Fran managed to turn his game on its head with a clutch last turn win featuring a long-range peel, so it was all down to the final game which finished after time with the scores level! Unfortunately Watford did manage to win the deciding hoop and with it the match. Nevertheless a fine day in the sunshine with excellent tea and cake provided by the hosts to make up for our disappointment at being knocked out of the competition with the final hoop of the day.
Max Byfield
EACF Handicap League NCC Elms v Enfield East - Home - Thursday 10th August
The team, Alex, Tim W, Rod and Clive B
My cat herding skills were put to the test for the NCC Elms V Enfield (East) fixture on Thursday 10th August. We had two quite short-notice drop outs but, thankfully, Tim W and new member, Clive B, stepped up to the plate… And, even on the day our Team Captain, Alex, was called away in the afternoon. Yours truly stood in for him for two singles matches; I won both. However, because I’m a NCC Oak, my games were deemed ‘illegal’, therefore the games went to Enfield (E) who won the match 12-6.
Despite the loss, it was a very enjoyable day and I was pleased to hear glowing feedback, from the Enfield team, about the warm welcome and generous hospitality they received from NCC.
Anne Taylor
Roger Ivill 29/30 July 2023
Arguably the club's "blue ribband" internal competition - level play GC - kicked off this weekend with the first block, featuring Helen Manley Jr [8], Helen Manley Sr [7], Alistair Robertson [7], Glenys Walder [7], Tim Walder [4], Fran Lambert [4], Alex Lake [4] and bookies' favourite, Mat Hardy [0].
Good weather greeted the players, and save some minor drizzle around lunchtime remained throughout the day
The morning games went more or less in accordance with handicaps, except a storming performance from Alistair who managed to defeat Mat at the golden hoop. This left Alex as the only undefeated player at lunch.
The afternoon kicked off with Alex v Mat. A win (or, more likely, a narrow loss) against Mat could guarantee Lakey a place in the playoff. Unfortunately his trademark post-lunch malaise struck and a series of absolute clangers handed victory on a plate to Mat 7-2.
Another great win for Alistair against Fran meant that there were 3 players with 4 wins from 5. However, Alistair's superior hoop difference over Alex meant that it was he that faced Mat in the playoff, a spot in the final the prize. Some truly dogged and attritional play with powerful clearances meant that Alistair acheived his step count for the day, and Mat eased through to the final, 7-2.
Tim Walder managed 3 wins, Helen Manley Sr 2, Fran 2, Glenys 1, Helen Manley Jr 0
See exclusive drone footage of part of the playoff here:
https://youtu.be/PpWPjE8H0Y8
The second block was played on Sunday. Max [5], Rod[5], John Glyn-Davies [5] and Tim Hinch [5] competed in the drizzle, with John, Max and Tim all winning 2 of their 3 games. John and Max had the superior hoop difference and so proceeded to the playoff, which was won by John. Sadly neither our roving reporter, nor his drone were able to be there to take pictures.
So the final, to be played on club finals weekend (23rd/24th September) will be between Mat Hardy and John Glyn-Davies.
Open Doubles 22 July
Newport Croquet Club was the place to be seen on Saturday with 24 players from various clubs strutting their stuff on the lawns in their whites.
Colchester, Guildford, Meldreth, Stony Stratford, Watford and even clubs as far afield as Eastbourne's Compton were represented in the Open Doubles.
Play started just before 10 in somewhat cloudy conditions which deteriorated into steady cold drizzle by lunchtime. Betty George, ably aided by Pamela Mugliston kept track of the scores. John Glyn-Davis and Rod George having setup the lawns.
A hearty lunch prepared by Sue Roberts and Sally Carr provided a delicious respite from the steady rain that was setting in. There was well-earned praise for the lunch from everyone with one guest heard to say 'It's the best croquet lunch I've ever had'. That was said before the puddings appeared. They were met with a stunned silence and just a steady rattle of spoons.
Due to the deteriorating weather it was put to all the players at lunch that Round 6 should be abandoned. Unanimous agreement.
All good things have to come to an end and donning their white waterproofs the players descended to the lawns looking like bio hazard investigators. Play was very competitive with many vying for position at lunchtime. By 4:15 the sodden players completed their 5 games and returned to the hut to dry out and consume a delicious afternoon tea with most welcome hot drinks.
Betty totted up the scores and Des Taylor announced the winners and runners up.
Rather embarrassingly, Des and Jane were first having won all 6 of their games, in second place Alex and Marilyn Wood (Colchester) winning 5 of their games, on hoops for 34 and in third place Cliff Jones (Newport) and Marian Hardy (Watford) with hoops for 31.
Jane Taylor
Strawberry Tea
Sunday 16 July 14:00 to 17:00
11 July
Many thanks to Tim Walder for wheelbarrowing and spreading the great big pile of wood chippings onto the new path to courts 2 and 3
Assisted by Rod and Alex
Des
EACF B-Level v Enfield Monday 26 June
After that baking hot weather we all arrived on Monday morning wondering if it was wise to have left our warm jumpers at home ... It was OK once we got moving around the lawns and, really very pleasant.
The NCC team comprised Colin T 3, Fran 4, Trevor 6 and Anne T 7.
Colin was the undisputed 'man of the match' winning the doubles and all of his singles.
Trevor must get the award for making the flukiest hoop; having made a complete hash of his approach to the first hoop with both of his balls and therefore allowing his opponent to line up both of his balls in front of the hoop, he attempted and achieved a long and very challenging jump shot! Trevor's opponent went into overdrive and won the next 7 hoops.
Going into the final 4 singles games, it looked like we might have a draw on our hands and need to play the 'reverse doubles' to determine the winners. I'm sorry to say that Enfield took the match 10-8, however, if we'd had to play another game I think we'd still be stuck in heavy traffic!!
Anne
Bring a Friend 29 May
An excellent afternoon plus being warm and sunny - more details to follow.
Rotating Doubles Day Event Saturday 27 May
Won by Des, Sue Barnes Bishop second and Tim Hinch third.
EACF HANDICAP LEAGUE - OAKS V LETCHWORTH AT NCC 13 May
Well, so much for the weather forecast; we had expected to play our match in relatively warm and sunny conditions. We arrived at the club in the morning under grey skies and 10 degrees C; we left the club after tea, under the same grey sky and the temperature had only rallied to 12 degrees C - we were FROZEN!
Our team was Colin T (2), Max (4), Anne (7) and Helen Jnr (8). The opposing team had significantly higher handicaps overall and seemed to benefit massively from the Advantage Rules, for example when Colin played their 12 handicapper, Colin started with a distinct DISadvantage of -4 hoops to +2 hoops! That particular player won all his matches including the doubles…
This was my first experience of managing and playing in an ‘Advantage Rules’ league match. I had advance notice of both teams’ handicaps so was able to prepare the scoresheet in advance, which in itself seemed a significant task. I think everyone found the pre-match briefing useful and (I like to think) it prevented some typical confusions.
Despite the hideously chilly weather and losing the match 7 - 11 (bizarrely, the hoop count was very close at 99 - 103!) the day was very enjoyable, the matches were friendly and tea-time was very convivial.
Anne
One Ball Competition 12 May
Winner Nick
EACF opening fixture 4 May
Both Newport teams entered in the competition playing one another.
The Oaks, captained by Colin Carr, were made up of Max Byfield, John Glyn-Davies and Sally Carr. Adrian Seabrook captained the Elms team of Trevor Reynolds, Alistair Robertson and Tim Hinch.
The opening doubles matches saw honours even with Colin and Sally losing to Adrian and Tim while Max and John beat Trevor and Alistair. Unfortunately it generally went downhill for the Elms from there with Oaks winning 3-1 of both the morning sets of singles matches making it 7-3 at lunch.
Sustenance revived the Elms who took 3 of the 4 matches in the first post-prandial round, at 8-6 Elms needed another 3-1 win in the last round to draw even or a clean sweep to win. It was not to be with a reinvigorated Oaks winning all 4 of the final round of matches to take the final score to 12-6 to the Oaks.
Player of the day was Colin winning all four or his singles matches and also playing the shot of the day: an over 12ft bouncing jump shot clearing 2 in-line balls to clatter through the hoop.
Mat
B Level v Wrest Park
Mat, John, Colin T, Fran
The entrance to Wrest Park is up an impressive avenue; a bit like NCC, the road traffic noise could be heard from the lawn… The day started clear and bright with a cold wind, gradually clouding over, but there was no rain. The lawns at Wrest Park are well managed, however, we discovered that many of the hoops are on slight mounds which made accuracy difficult.
The results speak for themselves, the NCC team was outclassed losing 14 - 4. Fran (4) played a memorable game against one of Wrest Park’s -1 handicap players, taking him to the golden hoop! The player in question remained unbeaten in at least 18 games…
Overall, it was a very enjoyable experience.
Colin Taylor
EACF B-Level League NCC Harriers v NCC Hawks
The competitive croquet season got underway today when NCC Harriers played their home match against NCC Hawks, in the EACF B-Level League. As you would expect, it was a day of good natured croquet, the result of which was a 10-8 win to the Hawks. Well done to Max Byfield who won all of his four singles matches.
It was a joy to play on the very lush, newly marked out, summer lawns; we all needed to reacquaint ourselves with the new orientation and, there was not one rat run of which to take advantage! We were blessed with glorious sunshine until the last few hoops when a very stiff breeze got up and rain threatened. As a result we all scurried away, forgetting to take a team photo.
Colin Taylor did a grand job of managing proceedings and keeping everything on track…
Anne Taylor
Hardy Cup 2022/2023 won by Steven Dutton
March Day Event
The club's March monthly event, saw 13 worthy competitors have a go at 6 variations of Golf Croquet. The purpose of the day was to make you think about tactics so each variation had a simple rule change, but one which meant the tactics of the game changed dramatically.
The winner of the day was Tim Hinch winning 5 of his 6 matches, runners up: Anne, Alistair and Trevor.
Mat
Excellent and Amusing Video made by Alex Lake explaining how to easily play one ball.
Players - Rod George and John Richardson
February Day GC Competition Friday 24 February
Won by Rod with 4 wins out of 5
Mat second and Tim Walder third
There were 4 rounds of Rotating Doubles followed by a round of Trio GC.
Players:
Mat, Adrian, Des, Tim W, Trevor, John GD, Rod, Betty. Morning only: Alastair, Sue R, Steven.
Scoring and Organisation:
Jane
Summer internal competition entries
Thursday 26 January Rotating Doubles Day
Won by Des with 4 wins out of 4
'When icicles hang by the wall and Dick the shepherd blows his nail', the daring dozen from Newport Croquet club were out there hammering the balls through the hoops.
Parading some extremely elegant protective clothing and hats, the bold members played four games each of rotating doubles.
There were some incredibly stylish shots from Betty, some very helpful shots from John (genteelly knocking Des's ball through the hoop) and some stunning jump shots.
All in all a great time (but rather a chilly one) was had by all.
Although a close fight, Des managed four wins to John Glyn Davis's three, followed on hoops scored by Alastair/John.
Players: Des, Anne, Colin T, John R/Nicola, Sally/Colin C, Betty, Rod, John GD, Trevor, Alistair/John G, Steven.
Scorer: Jane
