2023 News

31 July - PCC 'B' 3 - 5 Ryde 'B'

Phyllis Court ‘B’ had a long road (and sea) trip today when they took their unbeaten B-League to Ryde on the Isle of Wight on Monday, but fell 3-5 to the islanders.

Kevin Ward was the star turn for Phyllis Court, winning both his matches, but captain Andy Jones could only win his morning match and there were twin defeats for Dianne Browne and Patricia Mulcahy.

PCC 'B' - Andy Jones (3), Dianne Browne (3), Patricia Mulcahy (5), Kevin Ward (5)

31 July- PCC 'D' 9 - 6 Caversham (part 2 of previously rain affected fixture)

PCC ‘D’ finally wrapped up victory in their Advantage League match against Caversham which had been halted by lightening in mid-June, with just the final round of game to play.

Phyllis Court’s Hugh Crook, Paul Franklin and Ruth Raunkiaer beat Caversham’s David Dibben, Tim Small and Mark Keogh to win the team match 9-3 with Steve Morton's now ‘dead’ rubber outstanding.

28 July - PCC 'Federations Shield' 5.5 - 1.5 Sheffield

~ through to the National Semi-Finals ~

Phyllis Court scored a convincing win over Sheffield to reach the semi-finals of the National GC Federations Shield competition last Friday.

Paul Franklin and Andy Jones were undefeated in the 5.5 - 1.5 victory which was played at the neutral venue of Leicester CC, under the old ‘extra turns’ version of handicap play which is being used for the last tie this season before the competition adopts the newer Advantage rules.

Both sides fielded teams that covered a wind range of playing grades, with closely matched abilities on paper in each of the four positions, setting up some likely close matches with few extra turns involved, in the afternoon head-to-head match-ups.

The first morning match to finish also a closely matched affair in which Phyllis Court’s Patricia Mulcahy (5) played very well to defeat Maggie Crossland (4) in quick time 7-5, 7-4, whilst the Andy Jones (3) versus Sheffield captain Eugene Chang (-1), was a much longer match.

Chang was fresh from last week’s AC World Championship’s and displayed the accuracy of stroke that one would expect from that skill level, but Jones used his extra turns well to establish and maintain good leads to win 7-5, 5-7, 7-2.

Phyllis Court stayed with their successful high/low pairing for the morning doubles rubber and the tactical match-play experience of Chris Roberts (-2) together with steady strokes of Paul Franklin (9) were enough to counter the large number of extra turns conceded to Sheffield’s father and son Ki Hulme (4) and Fin Morton-Hulme (9), for a 7-3, 7-6 Phyllis Court win.

Sitting comfortably on a 3-0 team match lead at lunch, Phyllis Court looked well set for the afternoon, needing just one win in any of the four remaining singles rubbers, and it was Franklin who got his team over the winning line with a 7-3, 7-2 win over Morton-Hulme.

Jones beat Crossland 7-5, 7-4 soon after, before Hulme got one back for Sheffield defeating Mulcahy 3-7, 4-7, and the captains’ match between Robets and Chang was halved as a dead rubber after the latter’s close first game 6-7 victory.

Phyllis Court march on to a home semi-final versus Meldreth, from south Cambridgeshire on Saturday 26 August

27 July - Christine Searle wins final of our 10+ Singles (Green Ball) tournament no.2.

The second 10+ Singles tournament of the year was a close run affair won in the end by the experienced Christine Searle.

the morning blocks were won by Maureen Ward, Diana Zatouroff and Searle who were all undefeated, and Jonathan Pendennis who lost one game but had a better 'net hoops' score than Liz Smith.

There were joined in the quarter-finals by Rob Eagle. Jeff Cornacchia, Smith and the returning Mireille O'Brien, who it was good to see back playing again.

O'Brien looked the strongest on show and she got past Ward 7-4, a score line that was match by Pendennis and Searle who defeated Cornacchia and Smith respectively, whilst Eagle made short work of Zatouroff 7-2.

Pendennis stopped O'Brien's run in their semi 7-4 and he now took on the favourite tag for the final, especially as Searle had a very tough semi against Eagle, eventually winning a very long game 7-6.

Searle did well to get straight back into action after a minimal rest and she turned back the years to win 7-5, as Pendennis fell away at the end of his first six-game tournament.

Eagle beat O'Brien for third place and the Plate final (for 9th place) was left un-played by mutual consent between Ian Runnalls and Hilary Cowley.

26 July - Dee McKibbin & Carol Huntington qualify for All England National final

An exiting day's croquet in Area Final South yielded success for two home club players at Phyllis Court today.

Report to come. . . .

21 July - PCC 'A' 6.5 - 1.5 High Wycombe 'A'

Phyllis Court 'A’ got back to winning ways today with a convincing 6.5 - 1.5 victory away at High Wycombe whose competitiveness was not suitably rewarded in that score line.

High Wycombe’s Richard Peperell, who is also a long-standing Phyllis Court member, played the best golf croquet of his career and took the middle game from the victors’ much higher ranked captain, Chris Roberts, in the highlight of the morning’s play.

Earlier, Phyllis Court’s Ian Norris had made short work of Wycombe captain Paul Gunn, winning 7-4, 7-6, inside an hour and a half, whilst repeated clearing of opposition balls prolonged the other three first round ‘best of three’ matches.

Roberts eventually got past Peperell 7-6, 6-7, 7-5 when the latter stuck in hoop 10 and Roberts executed a good jump to score leaving Peperell hampered in the hoop jaws.

Phyllis Court’s 2-0 lead was pegged back when Rick Lilley was unexpectedly beaten 7-6, 5-7, 2-7 by Wycombe’s Michael Bowker and the slowest match between Phyllis Court’s Roger Goldring and Alan Clark was suspended for lunch at 3-7, 7-5.

The 2-1 half-time lead was closer than Phyllis Court captain Roberts had imagined given the national rankings of the two sides’ personnel, but in the afternoon those pre-match expectations and wishes all came true in the head-to-head matches.

Roberts finished first with a 7-4, 7-5 win over Gunn and soon after Goldring secured the team win with a 7-2, 7-5 victory over Bowker.

Lilley was pushed all the way to the last hoop twice before winning 7-6, 7-6 against Clark just as Norris ran away with the last game of the number 2 rubber 3-7, 7-6, 1-7.

This gave Phyllis Court a flattering 6-1 team scoreline and it was agreed not to play out the final morning game of Goldring v Clark match, and for each side to take a ‘half’.

Phyllis Court ‘A’ continue in Southern Croquet Federation Open League action next week when they entertain Ryde from the Isle of Wight on Tuesday.

PCC 'A: Chris Roberts (-2, captain), Ian Norris (-1), Rick Lilley (1), Roger Goldring (1)

21 July - PCC 'D' 8 - 8 Winchester 'B'

Phyllis Court ‘D’ were on the road today and put their undefeated record on the line at Winchester ‘B’ in the first meeting of the two clubs under Advantage Handicap rules.

Captain Paul Franklin was disappointed to have only drawn the team match 8-8 and felt there were at least two more games that should have been won, including his only loss as he lead his team with three personal game wins.

Only Daphne Spiers recorded a Phyllis Court win in the first round of four, but the other team members Steve Morton, Ruth Raunkiaer and Franklin all won in round two, and thereafter the team match scores locked in harmony until the final 8-8 result.

Phyllis Court ‘D’ have the postponed final round of games versus Caversham to play on Monday which will complete their unfinished team match which was suspended by torrential rain at 6-6 back in mid-June.

PCC 'D': Steve Morton (8), Ruth Raunkiaer (9), Paul Franklin (9, captain), Daphne Spiers (10)

19-20 July - Aldermaston's Martin Burger wins the Phyllis Court & High Wycombe AC Advanced 7+ tournament

In a close tournament, hosed jointly at Phyllis Court (day 1) and High Wycombe (day 2), Martin Burger of Aldermaston CC used all his long experience to remain undefeated over the two days.

He established and unassailable lead going into the last round of five and saved his closest game to last when he beat Mervyn Harvey (Kenilworth) by one hoop in extra time.

Raghu Iyer (2 wins from 5 games) was Phyllis Court's only representative in the truncated field of seven, which pressed manager Chris Roberts into play a friendly hnadicap game again the sitting out player.

Finishing order: Martin Burger (Aldermaston, 4 wins/4 games - 100%), Steve Fisher (Blewbury, 3/5 - 60%), Peter Adams (Guildford, 2/4 - 50%), Tony Mayer (Swindon, 2/4 - 50%), Raghu Iyer (Phyllis Court, 2/5 - 40%), Mervyn Harvey (Kenilworth) 1/4 - 25%), Robin Morrison (High Wycombe, 1/4 - 25%).

Click here for the full results on Croquet Scores

18-20 July - Rick Lilley just misses the cat at the GC National Seniors

Rick Lilley was just one win away from qualifying for the knock-out stage of the GC National Seniors Championship at Southwick, near Brighton, this week.

His 6 wins wins from 11 block games landed him in 5th place in his block, but with only 4 to qualify.

Rick was then dreadfully unlucky to win 3 Plate block games but lose four times to 6-7 score lines which would have made him a real contender had those scores been reversed.

Rick has no rest and tomorrow lines-up in the ranks of PCC 'A'' for their away league match at High Wycombe.

17 - 19 July - Richard Peperell is behind the lens at the AC World Chaampionship

Richard Peperell has had a great time at Hurlingham this week as a volunteer cameraman for the 'live steaming' video of the AC World Championship action.

15 July - PCC 'AC' 2 - 1 Harwell / Eynsham

. . .

PCC 'AC'

14 July - Phyllis Court 'AC' 5 - 2 Winterbourne Valley - National Inter-Club Secretary's Shield (AC Handicap) quarter final

- Great win for PCC who reach semis for the first time!

Phyllis Court AC scored a famous victory today to reach the semi-finals of the AC Secretary's Shield national competition for the first time in our history.

South -West Februation Handicaps Champions Winterbourne Valley from Dorset where first time visitors to Henley in this CA competition that brings together the handicap Champions from a nine regional Federations.

Phyllis Court captain Raghu Iyer (handicap AC 10) and partner Roger Goldring (AC 16) got Phyllis Court off to a good start with a 19-14 victory on time against visitors Kath Burt (AC 9) and Martin Strange (AC 11).

Patricia Mulcahy (AC 20) added to the Phyllis Court lead with a comprehensive 26-0 defeat of Mark Strachan (AC 5), but the hosts Robin Coates (AC12) lost out narrowly to Winterbourne Valley's Teddy Wilmot-Stillwell (AC 0) 20-26.

In the afternoon session, Iyer beat Willmot-Stillwell 26-0 in quick time leaving Phyllis Court looking for victory in any one of the other three games in progress.

The team match victory was confirmed when only Coates failed to win For Phyllis Court, going down narrowly again, 23- 26 to Strachan, whilst Goldring and Mulcahy romped home 18-2 and 18-3 against Burt and Strange.

PCC 'AC': Raghu Iyer (AC 10), Robin Coates (AC 12), Roger Goldring (AC 14), Patricia Mulcahy (AC 20)

PCC AC will play ethe winner of Peterborough v Newport in the semi-finals, probably in August.

12 July - Phyllis Court 4 - 3 Roehampton - National Inter-Club Championship quarter final

- Mulcahy keeps cool head to win match deciding game at hoop 13

Andy Jones reports:

Phyllis Court '2+' beat holders Roehampton with a dramatic last hoop victory in the National Inter-Club ‘Murphy’ Shield today.

Results don't come any closer than this 4-3 victory for the home side who completed ‘the doubles’ over their guests having knock-ed Roehampton out of the top tier Inter-Club Championship in May.

In the morning matches, Phyllis Court's Dianne Browne and Andy Jones won doubles match in three games over Roehampton's Andrew R Wilson and Mark Green 7-4, 5-7, 7-4.

However, the first-round singles were shared with straight games victories by Raghu Iyer for Phyllis Court and Trevor Campbell for Roehampton over Mike Tumath and Patricia Mulcahy 7-4, 7-5 and 6-7, 4-7 respectively.

This gave Phyllis Court a 2-1 lead at lunch but Roehampton fought their way back into the tie with Campbell defeating Iyer 2-7, 7-6, 3-7 and Green winning over Browne 3-7. 3-7 for a short term 2-3 team lead.

Phyllis Court captain Jones restored parity in the match at 3-3 when he recorded a win in three games over counterpart Wilson 7-3, 6-7, 7-3 which left just the Mulcahy v Tumath match to decide the whole fixture and their match was incredibly close.

By the time Jones had completed his rubber, Tumath had won the first game 6-7, Mulcahy had taken the second by the same score and their deciding third game was locked at 5-5.

Mulcahy took hoop 11 for a 6-5 lead but couldn't prevent Tumath levelling at 6-6 however the Phyllis Court player had the crucial first approach strokes to the last hoop 13.

Mulcahy made good use of that advantage and put both her balls into scoring positions, before Tumath blocked the hoop, entering from the non-scoring side with a shot from more than 20 meters.

When Mulcahy's first jump shot at hoop 13 failed, it looked like the tables had turned against her but her second shot cleared Tumath’s jawsed ball and follow it through the hoop to score for the win, bringing Phyllis Court team victory by 4 matches to 3.

Phyllis Court captain Andy Jones said afterwards "We were fortunate to have an experienced tournament player standing over that last shot. Patricia knows well that the secret to a pressure shot is that there is no secret. You just have to take your time, go through your process and give yourself the best chance of making a good shot. Sometimes you’ll hit and sometimes you’ll miss, but luckily for us, on this occasion, Patricia absolutely nailed it."

Phyllis Court will now face either East Dorset or Sussex County in the semi-final.

PCC '2+': Andy Jones (3+), Dianne Browne (3+), Raghu Iyer (4), Patricia Mulcahy (5)

8 July - Chris Roberts wins Open Singles (Blue Ball) Tournament by one hoop in three-way tie

Chris Roberts won the Open Singles tournament today by the slimmest of margins when he tied on game wins with Rick Lilley and Robin Coates, but had the superior net hoops tally, so won the coveted Blue Ball Trophy.

The trio were tied on 4 wins apiece after a highly competitive day of mixed weather that, in part, lead to a very late finish at just after 1900,

Roberts net hoop score was +6, to Lilley's +5 and Coates -1, so the winning margin was just one hoop and it doesn't get any closer than that!

More details to follow . . .

07 July - PCC 'A' 1.5 - 5.5 Dulwich - National Inter-Club Championship

PCC 'A' put up a stiff challenge at Dulwich today and came away from the fixture with credit and heads held high, albeit in defeat.

Without Charlie von Schmieder and Ian Norris, this was always going to be a tough encounter against a host side who had superior Ranking Grades in all positions over our side.

PCC' 'A' gave a Championship debut to the improving Andy Jones and also called-up the experience of Frances Colman, fresh from her unexpected outing at the British Open a fortnight ago, for her first Championship match since 2017.

And it was this pair who stole the show for Phyllis Court, with Jones (handicap 3) scoring his best yet 'best of three' match win over Guy Scurfield (0) in straight morning games, and then taking the first game in an afternoon 1-2 defeat to David Pitman (1).

Colman (2) got off to a terrific start, winning her first game against Pitman 7-4 and later, the middle game of three (the last of which was a 6-7 cliff-hanger reverse) against Scurfield, in going down honourably 1-2 in both rubbers.

For both Phyllis Court players, consistently better ball placement featured highly throughout and, against Scurfield in particular, steady accurate hoop running paid dividends as the host player missed with longer range hard hoop attempts.

In the top half of the fixture, Phyllis Court's Chris Roberts (-2) and Roger Goldring (0) toiled for three hours in the scorching morning and early afternoon sun to take their doubles rubber with Dulwich's Simon Carter (-2) and Jonny Claxton (-1), before losing-out at the 13th hoop twice.

In the afternoon, Roberts, who was playing all match with his old mallet having mislaid his new 'Trimmer', competed well versus Carter in the top singles rubber, but the latter's repeated centre-ball clearances were right on the money and, together with two trademark long jumps, were enough to seal him a straight games win.

Goldring matched Dulwich captain Claxton in the number two singles, with the second game especially being a very high-quality positioning and clearing affair which Goldring won, before the pair agreed to a 1-1 result and to half their singles rubber when Dulwich secured the fixture win on another court.

This was a good performance by Phyllis Court 'A' and amongst other credits, showed the strength in depth that the Club can call upon.

PCC 'A' : Chris Roberts (-2), Roger Goldring (0), Frances Colman (2), Andy Jones (3)

Dulwich: Simon Carter (-2), Jonny Claxton (-1), Guy Scurfield (0), David Pitman (1)

06 July - Phyllis Court still in 4 National Inter-Club team competitions - in action TOMORROW and coming weeks

Our teams are still in all four of the national competitions that we entered.

Fixtures have been finalised in recent days, including only yesterday - here is an update so that you can look-out for results - starting tomorrow!

Friday 7 July    - PCC 'A' v Dulwich (away) - GC Inter-Club Championship
Wednesday 12 July - PCC '2+' v Roehampton (home)       - GC Inter-Club 'Murphy' Shield
Friday 14 July    - PCC 'AC' v Winterbourne Valley (home) - AC Secretary's Shield
Friday 28 July    - PCC 'FS' v Sheffield (neutral venue) - GC Federations Shield (playing at Leicester CC)

Additionally, there have been some minor changes to the fixtures for the PCC 'C' & 'D' teams following the withdrawal of Littleton 'B' from the SCF Advantage League and, although Littleton 'A' are continuing in the league, they are having to play their 'home' matches at the opposition's venue.
The captains of both PCC 'C' & 'D' are aware of the changes and all of the above is reflected on the website calendar (click on the menu bar above).

28 June - PCC 'B' 4 - 4 Blewbury 'B'

PCC 'B' are fast becoming draw specialists as Andy Jones' team were held for a third successive match, this time away at Blewbury today.

Dianne Browne scored a comfortable 7-4, 7-4 straight games victory over the always tricky Steve Fisher in the morning and was joined in success by Michael Christmas who took three games to get the better of Avril Rangoni- Machiavelli. However Blewbury countered and inflicted defeats in Phyllis Court captain Andy Jones and Raghu Iyer before lunch.

Strangely, fortunes were exactly reversed for Phyllis Court in the afternoon session, with both Phyllis Court morning victors losing and teammate Jones and Iyer getting the victories over Fisher and A.R-M.

So, another 4-4 result, Phyllis Court 'B's season now hangs in the balance.

PCC 'B' : Dianne Browne (3), Andy Jones (3) (c), Raghu Iyer (4), Michael Christmas (5)

25 June - PCC trio Morton, Essa & Wadsworth do well at the Guildford C-Level Series tournament

Steve Morton was runner-up at the C-Level (7+) Series tournament at Guildford today.

He lost in the final to Guildford player Fraser Wilkes but the 6 series points earned from his second place take him to 12 and level with our own Carol Huntington.

The series points accumulate through the season and could result in the leaders being invited to the national final if any places are not taken-up by qualifying tournament winners.

Also enjoying success at the same tournament were Helen Essa and Carol Wadsworth who here both losing semi-finalists.

25 June - The GC British Open Championship - Singles Day 4

- follow the results on Croquet Scores -

Chris Roberts was in the semi-final the Bowl event (for main knock-out first round losers) versus Former Women's World Champion Jenny Clark in, what wil be, the first meeting of the pair this morning. Clark got off to a great start and commended the first game, to win 2-7. Roberts put up a better fight in the second and got 4-2 up, but three missed mid-range clearances in quick success ion sealed is fate and he went down 5-7.

Roberts finished in 11th place overall.

Frances Colman has changed from white to pink hat and resumed her refereeing duties, which yesterday included an unusual 'wrong ball' resolution for Double World Champion Rg Bamford.

- In the Main Championship semi-finals, Reg Bamford (South Africa) beat Euan Burridge 7-6, 5-7, 7-2 and Robert Fletcher (Australia) beat Stephen Mulliner 7-5, 7-5. So we reached the final with neither player having lost a match all tournament, and Fletcher having lost a single game. The Final was a demonstration of outstanding long distance shooting from Fletcher, who inflicted a firts ever 7-0 defeat on Banford and then won the second game 7-5. A remarkable faultless performance by the young Australian against the 'Greatest GC player of all time' Bamford, who was very much second beat today.
Follow the tournament on Croquet Scores here - https://croquetscores.com/2023/gc/british-open-championship/block-a

24 June - The GC British Open Championship - Singles Day 3

- follow the results on Croquet Scores -

Chris Roberts reached the Main Knock-Out of the British Open for the first time in a number of seasons this morning.

He did it the hard way, when he lost 1-2 to Lionel Tibble in his last block match, so went into a three-way play-off for two last-16 knockout places with Tibble and Richard Bilton. As the player with the better record of the three, Roberts had a slight advantage in the play-off sequence and eventually prevailed to play England International Euan Burridge in the main event Round of 16.

His match with young Burridge this afternoon was a complete contrast in styles with Burridge smashing the balls all over the court at terrific pace but with some inaccuracy, whilst Roberts opted for gentle centre ball clearances and long tactical battles at hoops.

Roberts lost the first game just, 6-7, and then as Burridge found more composure, the second game went the way of the younger player 4-7.

The Bowl event (for main knock-out first round losers) was next on the agenda for Roberts who faced fast improver Dom Aarvold from Bristol this evening, winning 7-3, 5-7, 7-3, but was exhausted after ten demanding games in the day.

Frances Colman played Double Would Champions Reg Bamford this morning, got a hoop in both games and compliments from the big man.
Follow the tournament on Croquet Scores here - https://croquetscores.com/2023/gc/british-open-championship/block-a

Double World Champion Reg Bamford with Frances Colman before their match

23 June - The GC British Open Championship - Singles Day 2

- follow the results on Croquet Scores -

Chris Roberts had a terrific day today at the British Open and is now assured of a play-off place at least as he vies for a place in the last 16 knock-out.

Today he beat England International Richard Belton in straight games for the first time, and also beat top-50 layer Richard Brooks also 2-0.

Roberts would have qualified for the knock-out 'as of right' if he hadn't squandered a 6-4 lead in his first game versus England AC International Mark Avery, eventually losing 6-7.

He won the send game of three and was again in the lead of the decider until Avery played a magnificent 'flick-off' up to hoop 13 and Roberts went done 6-7 again.

The result is that if Roberts can beat Lionel Tibble tomorrow morning, he qualifies - if not he will be in a play-off for a qualification spot.
Frances Colman, is looking for her first win and continues to take hoops off much higher ranked opponents.

Tomorrow morning Colman faces Double Would Champions Reg Bamford!
Follow the tournament on Croquet Scores here - https://croquetscores.com/2023/gc/british-open-championship/block-a

22 June - The GC British Open Championship - Singles Day 1

- follow the results on Croquet Scores -

Chris Roberts got off to a good start at Southwick (near Brighton) today, taking double World Champions Reg Bamford to 5-5 in hsi forts game of the tournament before going down 5-7 and then 3-7. He them beat Frances Colman 7-2, 7-2 and Morgan Case 7-2, 7-5.
Frances Colman, who is unexpectedly in the playing field rather than refereeing, is playing as the bottom seed but has been far from out-classed whilst looking for a first win.
Follow the tournament on Croquet Scores here - https://croquetscores.com/2023/gc/british-open-championship/block-a

22 June - Frances Colman joins Chris Roberts in The GC British Open Championship - (Singles preview)

- follow the results on Croquet Scores -

We know that a number of you like to follow the progress of the big tournaments and your fellow Phyllis Court members in particular.
TODAY (through to Sunday) is The GC British Open Championship, at Southwick near Brighton.

Chris Roberts starts as 16th seed in he 32 strong field.
Championship Referee Frances Colman, has downed he rule book to play as well!
Frances has not played competitive Singles for many years and has answered an emergency call to stand-in for a sick absentee.
Fresh from the doubles event, where Frances & Chris missed the cut for the knock-out stage by one win, they are both paired in the same Block A for the Singes.
Also in Block A is the double World Champion Reg Bamford - Chris plays him first!

Follow the tournament on Croquet Scores here - https://croquetscores.com/2023/gc/british-open-championship/block-a

Unfortunately there is no live-streaming this year, but Chris will also post an up-date on our website each evening.

19 June - Carol Huntington wins the Women's Advantage Tournament

Carol Huntington was undefeated today at the Women's Advantage Singles tournament and won the new pink ball trophy.

It tuned out that her first three games were her closest, each ending in 7-5 wins despite different Advantage starting scores against Liz Smith, Carol Wadsworth and Hilary Cowley.

Patricia Mulcahy was the most accomplished player on national ranking and handicap on the day ad so had the biggest Advantage leads to claw back and she did well to be undefeated after three of the five rounds.

But round four proved pivotal when Huntington scored early to make Mulcahy's task harder and the former pulled away for a comfortable victory in that match and did likewise in the last round over Marie Pearce.

Finishing order: Carol Huntington (5 wins from 5 games), Patricia Mulcahy (3 wins), Liz Smith (3), Carol Wadsworth (2), Marie Pearce (1), Hilary Cowley (1).

Congratulations Carol

Winner Carol Huntington

Winner Roger Goldring
(photo by Chris Roberts)

16 June - Roger Goldring is a new name on our 80+ Singles trophy

Roger Goldring was undefeated in winning our 80+ Singles tournament Yellow Ball trophy today.

In doing so, he became the first simultaneous holder of that Seniors tournament trophy and the Open category Blue Ball trophy

The six round 'Loose Swiss' formatted tournament proved to be just the ticket on an extremely hot day, as it allowed the nine participating players to play as much or as little croquet as they wished and a few of the players did opt for a reduced playing programme.

It was good to welcome John Howie to his first tournament and he defied his handicap by being very competitive in a number of his games, including taking the experienced Michael Christmas to the 13th hoop and winning one game against Stuart Crippen.

At the other end of the experience scale were our nonagenarians Robin Morrell and Don Rutherford, and the latter reprised form of old to give Goldring his biggest scare at hoop 13.

In the end it boiled down to a de facto final between Goldring and Christmas, both undefeated on four wins.

Christmas paced favourite Goldring in the first half of the game and lead at 2-3 but Goldring always looked to be in control, wrestled the lead at 4-3 and then won the remaining hoops, despite a prolonged battle at hoop 10, for a 7-3 win.

Finishing order: Roger Goldring 5 wins/5 games), Michael Christmas (4/5), Bill Pitkeathley (3/5), David Young (2/4), Don Rutherford (2/5), John Howiw (1/5)

- Stuart Crippen (1/4), Jim Walter (1/3), Robin Morrell (0/2)
Congratulations Roger

15 June - Alastair Broom wins the Woking C-Level (7+) Series tournament

- and Carol Huntington is runner-up in an 'All Phyllis Court' Final

Alastair Broom won his second C-level (7+) Series tournament today, this time at Woking.

And Carol Huntington was the runner-up in an 'all Phyllis Court' final.

Broom had already qualified for the C-Level Series National Final at Guildford on 16-17 September, and Hutington who now has 12 Series points is well placed to qualify too!

Detail of this tournament will follow shortly . . .

Congratulations Alastair (again!)

Winner Alastair Broom with Woking Tournament Manager Sara Anderson

14 June - Helen Essa win the Ealing C-Level (7+) Series tournament

Helena Essa scored a fabulous win at the Ealing C-level (7+) Series tournament today.

She won four out of her five games to win her block (including beating Phyllis Court clubmates Carol Huntington and her partner Rob Eagle).

In the final against the other block winner, she was a comfortable 7-3 winner.

Helen was presented with a miniature mallet trophy and her win also qualifiers her for the C-Level Series National Final at Guildford on 16-17 September.

Congratulations Helen!

Phyllis Court's other players at Ealing today were Daphne Spears, Carol Huntington and Rob Eagle

Winner Helen Essa (photo by Rob Eagle)

14 June - Richard Peperell wins the Budleigh Salterton AC B-class tournament undefeated

Richard Peperell was undefeated in the AC classed tournament at Budleigh Salterton yesterday and today, and he duly won his B-Class event.

His closest game was a 21-19 win on time over local player Nigel Amos, but he cruised to comfortable victories over his other four opponents.

Congratulations Richard!

Phyllis Courts' other players at Butleigh were Frances Colman and Chris Roberts, who had also enjoyed the baking sun at the Sidmouth AC tournament a few days previously.

Richard Peperell with engraved glass tankard trophy presented by Budleigh chairman John O'Gorman and manager Chris Williams.

(photo by Chris Roberts).

Winner Alastair Broom with the Black
Ball trophy (photo by Patricia Mulcahy)

7 June - Alastair Broom wins our 8+ Singles & Black Ball trophy

A scorcher of a day and some very competitive croquet was enjoyed in equal measure today by the best of our 8+ handicapper players on the way to eventual winner Alastair Broom winning another trophy.

The ten players were seeded into two blocks, each playing all the opponents in the other block so as to avoid any sit-outs, and although it was the top two seeds, Dee McKibbin and Broom, who contested the final, no player emerged from the block stage undefeated.

Michael Marcel impressed during the first four block play rounds and despite a slip up to Carol Wadsworth in the fifth, topped the blue block and qualified for the semi-finals. McKibbin qualified alongside him, with a last round 7-5 pivotal victory over Broom, which turned out to have been a dress rehearsal for the final.

In the Red block, Aly Warren lost her first game of the day to Marcel, but was undefeated thereafter to command block top spot on four wins, ahead of a trio on three victories, which had to be ordered on 'net hoops' - Broom's +7 got him the last semi-finals berth ahead of Wadsworth on 0 and David Young on -1.

Fittingly close semi-finals both ended 7-5 in favour of McKibbin and Broom over Marcel and Warren respectively, and in placing games played alongside, Rob Eagle and David Young beat Colin Hall and Carol Wadsworth respectively 7-4, to finish in equal 5th place.

Most of the competitions stayed to watch a high quality final, despite it not starting until 1745, and as manager Chris Roberts had to beat a retreat (off to work), Broom established a strong 4-0 lead.

Mckibbin wasn't done for that easily though and fought back valiantly to 4-3, the last score being a super angled jump shot at hoop 7.

Broom then really turned on the style and his ball placements became faultless as he stretched away for an eventual comfortable 7-3 win and collection of the Black Ball trophy.

National Grass Roots (8+) competition qualification

This tournament also acted as our club qualifying round for the National Grass Roots (8+) competition and we have four places in the final of that which is at Hunstanton, on the north Norfolk coats on 24 September. Players will be invited to participate in today's finishing order:

1 Alastair Broom, 2 Dee Mckibbin, 3= Michael Marcel & Aly Warren, 5= Rob Eagle & David Young, 7= Colin Hall & Carol Wadsworth, 9= Christine Searle & Jim Walter.

11 June - Charlie von Schmieder wins the GC Home Internationals with Ireland

Phyllis Court's Charlie von Schmieder was part of the Ireland team that won the GC Home Internationals at Carrickmines CC, near Dublin this weekend.

Von Schmieder won all six of his singles games beating in straight games: Jim Beach (Wales) 7-4, 7-5; Roger Binks (Scotland) 7-3, 7-4 and Stuart M Smith (England) 7-6, 7-4.

He added a doubles victory in the Scotland match as Ireland scores]d a clean sweep of 3-1 victories in test matches against the other home nations.

Charlie von Schmieder (far left), with victorious Ireland teammates Simom Williams, Patsy Fitzgerald and Mark Stephens (photo by Nick Holman)

5 June - PCC 'A' 1.5 - 6.5 East Dorset 'A'

A tough day was endured in good spirits at Poole today, as East Dorset's three 'minus 3' players were just too good for our side, who were out gunned.

Ian Norris scored an excellent match win over England AC international Jeff Dawson, and although Phyllis Court Captain Chris Roberts took a single game off the same player, the Henley side’s only other success came from first team debutant Andy Jones who halved an unfinished match at 1-1 with the hosts' David Kendrick.

PCC 'A' - Chris Roberts (-1), Ian Norris (-1), Roger Goldring (0), Andy Jones (3).

4 June - 60+ spectators at PCC as Roberts is runner-up in SCF Championship

Chris Roberts was runner-up un the inaugural Southern Croquet Federation Championship today.

He lost only once in seven games, and that to eventual winner Steve Leonard (East Dorset & England).

Roberts' day started in the best possible way with a 7-6 victory over top seed Jonathan Powe (East Dorset and England) and by lunch he was still undated with a share of the lead in the eight-player 'all play all' block.

The fourth round brought Roberts and Leonard's together in the pivotal game of the tournament, and the letter's deft positioning play on the lightning-fast Phyllis Court courts proved to be the difference between the two and enough to win 5-7.

Subsequent rounds were played out to victories by the pair without much incident, as the other Phyllis Court representatives Ian Norris and Andy Jones finished in 4th and 8th positions respectively.

Noris scored a god win over international Powe, and Jones victory over the greater experienced Paul Gunn was a deserving end to a good day's play as the outsider in the field, and the experience gained from the day will be invaluable to his development as he moves up the playing classes.

The planned play-offs between the top two finishes had to be abandoned due to the later hour of finishing which was a good call by the manager Frances Colman, who presented winner Leonard with a bottle of champagne donated by Phyllis Court Club.

Finishing Order:

Steve Leonard (East Dorset & England) - 7 wins

Chris Roberts (PCC & Wales) - 6 wins

Jonathan Powe (East Dorset & England) - 4 wins

Ian Norris (PCC) - 3 wins

Paul Gunn (Wingrave) - 3 wins

Raouf Allim (High Wycombe) - 2 wins

Duncan catterall (High Wycombe) - 2 wins

Andy Jones (PCC) - 1 win

4 June - Patricia Mulcahy finishes 12th at the Women's Open Championship - Day 3 (of 3)

Patricia Mulcahy played the last of her seven block games this morning and went down 4-7, 3-7 to Colchester's Ann Brookes.

She then went into a series of single consolation games to decide the minor positions and ended up a creditable 12th.

The Championship was won at something of a canter by former Women's World Champion Jenny Clark (New Zealand), who beat Sue Lightbody (Dulwich) in straight games in the final.

You can follow the tournament remotely on Croquet Scores - https://croquetscores.com/2023/gc/womens-open-championship/block-a

3 June - Patricia Mulcahy gets a win at the Women's Open Championship - Day 2 (of 3)

Patricia Mulcahy played three more 'best of three games' matches today and chalked up her first game win and then a match victory too.

This morning she won the middle game against the second seed in her block, Louise Smith (handicap 1) but went down 4-7, 7-4, 1-7.

However, Mulcahy bounced back to score a convincing win over Yvonne Marrinan (handicap 3) 7-5, 7-1.

She lost her last match of the day in straight games to the experienced Kath Burt of Winterbourne Valley.

Mulcahy has one more block match tomorrow morning versus Ann Brookes of Colchester.

You can follow the tournament remotely on Croquet Scores - https://croquetscores.com/2023/gc/womens-open-championship/block-a

2 June - Patricia Mulcahy plays in the Women's Open Championship - Day 1 (of 3)

Patricia Mulcahy played two 'best of three games' matches today on the opening day of this prestigious tournament

Her first opponent could hardly have been tougher, in former Women's World Champion, Jenny Clark (New Zealand), but Mulcahy took her to 5-7 in their first game, which was a terrific result for the underdog,

Mulcahy then lost to Northumberland's Jane Pringle in straight games, and will be looking for an easier day tomorrow.

You can follow the tournament remotely on Croquet Scores - https://croquetscores.com/2023/gc/womens-open-championship/block-a

2 June - PCC 'Murphy Shield' 4 - 3 Camerton & Peasedown (away)

This is a really good result from our Murphy Shield team, and the latest in a string of successes for our sides in National Competitions.

The 'Murphy Shield' is the second tier of the GC Inter-Club competitions and is restricted by handicap - (one player may have a handicap of 2, and the other players must be higher).

Kevin Ward got Phyllis Court on to the scoreboard with a straight games win over Marion Button 7-5, 7-5.

But that was countered by the home side when Jeff Smith was defeated 4-7, 6-7 by Des Back.

That left all eyes on the doubles rubber where Phyllis Court captain Andy Jones and Raghu Iyer were taken to a third deciding game by hosts' Brian Wilson and Mo Boys.

Jones reported later that it was Iyer's good positional play that kept them in it early in the match, and as Jones himself warmed to the task, the Phyllis Court pair eventually won 6-7. 7-5, 7-3, for a 2-1 team match lead at lunch.

In the number 3 head-to-head, Smith suffered a second 6-7 loss of the day to Button, who then levelled the team match with a 3-7 win, as the other three afternoon singles went to deciding third games.

Camerton went one game up in all three contests but only converted the number 4 game when Phyllis Court's Ward was beaten by Camerton's Back 7-5, 2-7, 3-7.

Iyer's 5-7, 7-3, 7-5 victory over Boyes tied the team match at 3-3 before Jones and Wilson embarked on the third game of their match, both knowing that the fixture hung in the balance.

Jones reported hooping better in that decider and he got well ahead before winning ''in style' with a 15 yard in/off!

Click here for the full match results.

The detail is also on Croquet Scores here - https://croquetscores.com/2023/gc/uk-inter-club-murphy-shield-camerton-peasedown-v-phyllis-court/camerton-peasedown-vs-phyllis-court

PCC 'Murphy Shield': Andy Jones (3), Raghu Iyer (4), Jeff Smith (5), Kevin Ward (5)

- Congratulations team :O)

Phyllis Court' Murphy Shield' will next play the winner of Hurlingham v Roehampton (who also played yesterday but the result is not yet known)

30/31 May - Woking visitor Michael Newman wins our AC 7+ Advanced Tournament jointly hosted with Blewbury

This was a close one that looked likely to be ending in a 4-way tie for most of the last round of five.

Fortunately for managers Chris Roberts and Frances Colman, the results fell the right way and Michael Newman (Woking CC) was the only player to achieve 4 wins from his 5 games, and so was the clear winner.

Phyllis Court players Raghu Iyer (last year's winner) and Robin Coates didn't fair so well this time.

Finishing order: Michael Newman (Woking, 4 wins), Julian Gibson (Middlesbrough, 3), Stephen Wingrove (Purley Bury, 3), Tony Mayer (Swindon, 3), Brian Jamieson (Blewbury, 2), Steve Fisher (Blewbury, 2), Raghu Iyer (Phyllis Court,2), Robin Coates (Phyllis Court, 1).

Click here for the full tournament results on Croquet Scores.

28 May - Patricia Mulcahy wins Plate in Dublin debut

Patricia Mulcahy returned to her native Ireland this weekend and impressed her countrymen by winning six games and the Plate event at the Carrickmines Championship.

She won two of the four block games but missed the cut for the main event knock-out.

In the Plate, however, it was all Mulcahy and she won all 6 games to win that section.

28 May - GC European Championships, Day 4 -

Roberts finishes 11th, von Schmieder 17th, and Fensome 21st (field of 32)

Day 4 was a even hotter than yesterday at Budleigh Salterton CC, in Devon.

Chris Roberts (Wales), lost his second round Bowl match to Patrico Garay Jnr. (Spain) 1-7, 6-7 this morning but bounced back to defeat Gerard Ehmes (Gernany) 7-4, 7-6 to finish in 11th place for the Championships.

Charlie von Schmieder (Ireland) had a better day today in the Plate event knock-out, starting with an avenging win over Begona Elzaburu (Spain) 7-6. He then beat Henri Hafgelbeerg (Finland) 7-4 to reach the final of the Plate, but his luck ran out soon after as Glenn Fausk (Norway) hit everything to win 2-7. 2-7. von Schmieder finished in 17th place overall.

Helena Fensome (Finland) lost to fellow Finn Henri Hagleberg this morning, so went into the 21st-24th places games section, where she beat Peter Balchin (Wales) 7-4. She ended in 21st place with largest increase on pre-tournament seeding of our trio.

Championship Referee Frances Colman was thanked by the tournament manager, overall winner and sevearl of the foreign players for giving up all four days to referee for their benefit. The overall winner was Rachel Gee (England), who is now Champion of Europe once again

The results of all four days are on the excellent 'Croquet Scores' website:

https://croquetscores.com/2023/gc/erc-european-golf-croquet-championship

28 May - PCC 'AC' 4 - 0 Caversham 'AC'

Raghu Iyer reports -

Our Association Handicap team enjoyed another satisfying win n the SCF AC Handicap league today, but all four games were timed out with close scores.

Caversham arrived in good time to start our match in glorious sunshine, with the courts looing in excellent condition.

The sun shine of the last few days had dried the court significantly and ball control was somewhat difficult for players on both sides.

Raghu (AC handicap 10) was matched against Michael Kay (4) and after a slow start in which Raghu used up all his bisques without much gain, most of the match was effectively played level with Iyer coming through to win 16-11.

Robin Coates (11) played Bob Eales (11), so a 'no bisques' game in which Coates managed an early lead after a good hit in when Bob got stuck in hoop 1. Thereafter, Coates maintained a small lead a very close game finished 16-14.

Roger Goldring (16) made a fine start against Mark Keogh (14) making 9 hoops with his 2 bisques but then the game slowed down and finally a Goldring win 15-9.

Kevin Ward (16) and Charles Briggs (16), both had a difficult game without any bisques and Ward came out on top 10-6.

Well played everyone!

PCC 'AC': Raghu Iyer (10), Robin Coates (11) , Roger Goldring (16), Kevin ward (16)

27 May - GC European Championships, Day 3 - Roberts qualifies for main Championship K-O but the loses to Spanish no.1

Day 3 was a scorcher here at Budleigh Salterton CC, in Devon.

Chris Roberts (Wales), beat Thomos Freimannis (Latvia) 7-2 , 6-7, 7-3 this morning to qualify directly for the 16-player Championship knock-out.

He then faced Spanish no. 1 international Andrez Alvarez-Sala and enjoyed a highly competitive match, including getting into the jaws of hoop 13 in game one, only to be jumped eventually going out 6-7, 5-7.

Roberts then fell into the Bowl event (for places 9-16) and beat Joi Elebow (Sweden) in a topsy-turvy match 7-2, 2-7, 7-3.

The bowl semis (for places 9-12) take place tomorrow morning with Roberts to play Patrico Garay Jnr. (Spain).

Charlie von Schmieder (Ireland) lost his play-off game to Lars Boman (Finland) this morning and so played in the plate event thereafter, winning two out of three block games, and is now in the plate knock-out (for places 17-24). He starts tomorrow with a re-match of his main block encounter with Bergona Elzaburu (Spain),

Helena Fensome (Finland) mirrored the record of von Schmieder, losing her play-off game to Jan Kral (Czech Rep.) but then winning two out of three plate block games.

She is now in the plate knock-out (for places 17-24) and will play fellow Finn Henri Hagleberg tomorrow morning, the prize of a possible meeting with von Schmieder if they both win.

Championship Referee Frances Colman had another exhausting day today, including judging probably the best shot of the Championships so far when Wales International Ian Burridge had to play over the top of another ball (that was incredibly close) to run his hoop, which he pulled off with aplomb.

You can follow the scores in real time via this link to the excellent 'Croquet Scores' website: https://croquetscores.com/2023/gc/erc-european-golf-croquet-championship

26 May - GC European Championships, Day 2 - Roberts on brink of qualification with three wins today

Day 2 was easier for our three players, with mostly maatches against mid-lower seeded opponents.

One significant item of note however is the increased accuracy of the younger players in the field, which has been seen to be very much better than only a year ago, with centre ball clearances being reeled off with unsettling regularity.

Chris Roberts (Wales), still smarting from three match defeats on Day 1, turned it all round today, with three moral boosting victories over Karen Davidson-Perris (Ireland), Daniel Studerus (Switzerland) and Glenn Fauske (Norway), the last of which required a scrambled recovery from 4-6 down to win the last three hoops to win 7-6 in the decider (all matches are the best of three games).

Roberts will qualify 'as of right' with victory over homos Freimannis (Latvia) tomorrow morning, and even with a defeat Roberts is assured of a play-off place.

Charlie von Schmieder (Ireland) continued his Day 1 woe with another defeat this morning, this time at the hands of Bergona Elzaburu (Spain) taking qualification out of his own hands,

He then pulled off a big surprise in beating the number one seed Richard Bilton (England) and the bottom seed david Fell (Scotland).

Von Schmieder now needs to beat Lars Boman (Finland) tomorrow morning and hope that Gerhard Ehmes (Germany) loses, which will then result in a play off between the two (and possibly others)

Helena Fensome (Finland) was pleased to win another match today. This morning she lost to Nicjolas Denziot (Spain), then beat Jan Kral (Czech Rep.) and the lst to England International Stuart M. Smith.

Fensome (playing under her Finish name Jansson)was bottom seed in her block and so has done well to pick-up two wins.

Championship Referee Frances Colman had an other busy day today, including adjudication two very different ball collisions with double-bankers and several balls jamming in in the incredibly tough hops here at Budleigh Salterton.

You can follow the scores in real time via this link to the excellent 'Croquet Scores' website: https://croquetscores.com/2023/gc/erc-european-golf-croquet-championship

26 May - PCC 'B' 4 - 4 High Wycombe 'B'

Russell Robinson reports:

It was the turn of our ‘B’ team today to enjoy a day’s croquet in unbroken sunshine at Phyllis Court, this time against our friends from High Wycombe, with a pleasant breeze off the river stopping us from sweltering. The morning started well for the home team with team captain, Andy Jones, and Russell Robinson both winning their matches comfortably in two games. Meanwhile, Dianne Browne recovered well from losing the first game to win in three, while Raghu Iyer was just on the wrong end of a tightly fought match, which meant that we took lunch on the terrace with a 3-1 lead. That became 4-1 when Robinson completed his second win, but unfortunately that was to be our high point as High Wycombe fought back valiantly to take the other three afternoon matches, two of them in the third game, thus drawing the tie at 4-4.

PCC 'B': Russell Robinson (3), Dianne Browne (3), Andy Jones (4), Raghu Iyer (4)

Click here for the full match results.

25 May - GC European Championships, Day 1 - Tough opening day for PCC playing trio and Ref Colman

Day 1 was a tough one for our four Phyllis Court members who are participating in the Golf Croquet European Championships at Budleigh Salterton, with an energy sapping schedule of 3 'best of three' matches for each of the players.

Championship Referee Frances Colman had no rest covering all 11 courts here at 'Croquet Heaven' as the sun shone gloriously for most of the day.

Charlie von Schmieder (Ireland) surprisingly lost all three of his opening day matches, with the only consolation being taking a game off Wales international captain Ian Burridge.

Chris Roberts (Wales) also had a torrid time and played 8 games virtually back to back after getting behind schedule thanks to a 4-hour encounter with sharp shooter Anton Kamne (Sweden) who cleared his Roberts center ball from distance multiple times. Roberts lost that match 1-2, lost to Spain international Manuel Alvarez-Sala 0-2, and then got a welcome game off current European and World under-21 Champion Aston Wade.

Helena Fensome (Finland) was the only one of our playing trio to win a match today, when she got the better of Ulf Saewart (Germnay) in straight games.

You can follow the scores in real time via this link to the excellent 'Croquet Scores' website: https://croquetscores.com/2023/gc/erc-european-golf-croquet-championship

24 May - PCC 'C' 12 - 4 Winchester 'B'

Russell Robinson reports:

PCC 'C' today entertained Winchester ‘B’ in the SCF Advantage League on a beautifully sunny afternoon at Phyllis Court. After the early excitement of some of the irrigation sprinklers briefly springing into action just after the first balls were struck, the home team started well, establishing a 3-1 lead from the first round of games.

With honours even in the second round, Winchester threatened a comeback by winning the first game of round 3 to narrow our lead to 5-4, but then our team went into overdrive, winning the remaining seven games to secure a comprehensive 12-4 victory.

Christmas recovered very well from a difficult start to win twice, including coming from behind to win the final game 7-6, the only game to go the full distance.

While many of the games were nevertheless tight affairs, Smith epitomised the PC spirit on the day as, keen to get off to work, in his final game he didn’t allow his luckless 2 handicap opponent, starting the game on minus 2, the luxury of getting back to zero, thus also securing his second win.

McKibbin continued her season’s excellent form, all the more impressively for having played a 3-hour doubles match in the morning, followed by an hour’s coaching beginners, she showed no apparent need for rest or sustenance as she continued by dominating all four of her opponents, rounding-off by allowing the visiting captain in her final game to run just one hoop and that from 14 yards with the wrong ball! Meanwhile, Ward continued his impressive form by completing a clean sweep of four victories, always looking in control after battling for 20 minutes on the first hoop of the day.

Some issues with the Advantage arithmetic and a number of wrong ball situations kept referee, Russell Robinson, on his toes for the duration.

The absence of any cake for the post-match tea on the terrace didn’t prevent a convivial chat before we sent our guests back down to Hampshire, perhaps slightly with tails between legs, but nevertheless saying how much they had enjoyed their afternoon on our hallowed turf.

PCC 'C': Jeff Smith (5), Michael Christmas (5), Kevin Ward (6), Dee McKibbin (8)

Click here for the full match results.

23 May - Follow PCC members at the GC European Championships

Four Phyllis Court members are participating in the Golf Croquet European Championships at Budleigh Salterton, starting tomorrow (Thursday) through to Sunday.

Championship Referee Frances Colman is again in demand and is in charge of this latest top-class event that brings together 32 players selected by 13 nations.

Charlie von Schmieder is the seventh seed playing under the Ireland flag.

Chris Roberts is the ninth seed representing Wales

Helena Fensome will hope to capitalise on recent good form in the colours of Finland.

You can follow the scores in real time via this link to the excellent 'CroquetScores' website: https://croquetscores.com/2023/gc/erc-european-golf-croquet-championship

18 May - PCC 'Federations Shield' 6 - 1 Swanage

Phyllis Court were flattered by a convincing score line in defeating South-West handicap champions Swanage in the national Federations Shield competition last week.

The Henley side, themselves handicap champions of the Southern region, won all the afternoon session games to run away 6-1 winners at the home of East Dorset CC at Poole, near Bournemouth, which gave the lie to just how tight this match actually was.

Chris Roberts (handicap -1) and debutant Paul Franklin (10) won an excitingly close doubles match in the morning session in which the former’s repeated clearances from distance, partnered by Frankin’s deft ball placements, seemed to dishearten the opposition, who played well enough, but were out manoeuvred by the Phyllis Court pair who won 7-5 , 7-3.

In the two morning singles rubbers, Raghu Iyer (4) fell to the hosts’ Nick O’Connor (5) by 3-7, 4-7, but Phyllis Court’s Patricia Mulcahy (6) took out William knight (6) 7-4. 7-3 in a game without any handicap extra turns.

The Phyllis Court team was quietly confident on a 2-1 lead at lunch, and not long after the break Roberts overpowered the Swanage number one Greg Vaughn 7-3, 7-4 despite conceding five extra turns in each game, leaving his side needing one more victory in any of the remaining three afternoon matches.

It was not easy to see where that crucial fourth win was likely to be coming from though, especially when Iyer dropped his first game in his ‘best of three’ match against Swanage captain Tony Green, and later each of the remaining three matches became tied a 1-1.

Iyer finally got into gear however, ran some long-range hoops with great confidence and sealed the team match with his own win 4-7, 7-5, 7-5.

News that the team result was in the bag, didn’t reach Phyllis Court’s Mulcahy and Frankin mid-games, but with the former exuding confidence with every stroke and the latter showing growing maturity in extra turns usage, a double icing of the metaphorical victory cake was applied when the pair won 5-7, 7-3, 7-6 and 7-2, 5-7, 7-4 respectively.

This victory sets up an intriguing quarter-final tie with Sheffield, who Phyllis Court have never played before, at a time and venue to be decided.

PCC: Chris Roberts (-1), Raghu Iyer (4), Patricia Mulcahy (6) & Paul Franklin (10)

17 May - Andy Jones wins our internal 3+ tournament (and the Red Ball trophy)

Fresh from his win a Ryde the previous week, Andy Jones was in great form again today, to win our 3+ Singles and the Red Ball trophy but a clear two games.

Jones was undefeated until the last game when Dianne Browne, so often a tricky opponent, dented his otherwise clean record.

This was a very closely contested tournament behind Jones out in the lead with three players ending tied on 4 wins and three more on 3 wins.

Manager Frances Colman did the 'net hoop' maths to sort out the finishing order and had proceedings done and dusted before 1730!

Finishing order: Andy Jones (6 wins), Jeff Smith (4), Patricia Mulcahy (4), Dianne Browne (4), Raghu Iyer (3), Michael Christmas (30, John Rumford (3), Colin Morgan (3).

Congratulations Andy!

14 May - Rick Lilly wins High Wycombe AC handicap tournament

Rick Lilley won his first AC tournament today in a close finish at High Wycombe.

A three-way tie (all on four wins from five full-length games) had to be separated by 'quality of wins', in which Lilley got the nod over fellow Phyllis Court members Kevin Ward and Richard Peperell.

Also in the field were Raghu Iyer and Paul Franklin, the latter making his AC debut away from Phyllis Court.

Congratulations Rick!

10 May - Andy Jones wins B-Level (3+) Series tournament at Ryde

Andy Jones was undefeated across all six games and won the latest B-level (3+) Series qualifying tournament at Ryde, on the Isle of Wight, today.

He won three games in his morning block, then saw off the tough challenge of Tom Grievson 7-6 in the quarter-finals before defeating Nick Westmore and Marian Manning in the semis and final 7-3, 7-2 respectively.

This super win qualifies Jones for the National B-Level (3+) Final at Compton (Eastbourne), on 2-3 September.

Patricia Mulcahy scored a very good win over Peter Adams but thiat ws the highlight of her day as she went on to finish 16th.

Congratulations Andy!

5 Phyllis Court players are in the Ryde C-Level (7+ ) Series tournament tomorrow, so it's the best of luck to Alastair Broom, Rob Eagle, Ruth Raunkiaer, Liz Smith and Helen Essa.

Charlie von Schmieder

5 May - PCC 'A' 4.5 - 2.5 Roehampton

Fabulous win for PCC 'A' knocks holders out of National Inter-Club Championship

Phyllis Court knocked-out GC Inter-Club Championship holders Roehampton in an intriguing tie between two evenly matched sides on paper, and as it turned out, on grass too. A novel late afternoon / evening match had been agreed between team captains, Chris Roberts for hosts Phyllis Court and Tim Russell for Roehampton, in order that both sides could field working age players but the visitors were still without top gun international Harry Fisher.

Down the playing card, the opposite number clashes really were too close to call with any certainty, and as Phyllis Court fielded a vastly more experienced side than the visitors, the match looked like hinging on whether Roehampton’s improving, yet unproven, number three and four players, Nick Yates and Dan Pearson, could live with the tournament nous of the hosts Ian Norris and Roger Goldring.

At the top end of the teams, Phyllis Court’s Irish international Charlie von Schmieder also had all the experience and an interesting match-up was in prospect with Roehampton’s sharp-shooting AC player Joel Taylor. Roberts and Russell both played as their sides number two players and later in the fixture played out yet another in their series of evenly matched encounters that punctuate their busy tournament seasons.

Play got underway at 3pm as a moderate crowd of spectators assembled on a dry but chilly late afternoon beside the Thames.

Phyllis Court were straight out of the blocks and scored first game wins in all three of the first-round matches.

Roberts’ long range clearance shooting was on fire in the doubles match between the number one and two players, and his repeated successes kept his team in the match as rusty von Schmieder took time to find his form.

Norris beat Pearson 7-4, 7-6 in the first match to finish as the other two matches went to deciding third games.

Yates got Roehampton back in the tie when he came from behind to beat Phyllis Court’s Goldring 7-5, 4-7, 2-7, showing his great promise in only his second full season in croquet, which he is now juggling with his international standard paddle tennis career.

The doubles match was tighter still, with Phyllis Court winning the last three hoops in the first game to snatch a 7-6 win, only to see Roehampton fight back 5-7 in the second and then a cliff-hanger finish in the third that the hosts again wrestled from Roehampton’s grasp to win 7-6.

The second round saw Norris with too much cleverness and relentless accurate ball placements for the relative novice Yates and Phyllis Court moved 3-1 ahead in the overall team match score and so only needing one more win for victory.

However, Roehampton stayed alive thanks to Pearson’s accuracy and Goldring’s own usual reliability in that department deserting him when needed most, and the visitor won comfortably 4-7, 3-7.

Roberts and Russell both managed croquet ‘own-goals’ peeling each other through a hoop and Roberts threw away a potentially pivotal hoop score to lose the first game 5-7.

Russell matched Roberts long range clearance strikes in their second game which the latter won 7-4 as the evening gloom arrived to scupper the playing of the deciding game.

Fortunately for the hosts, and the resolution of the fixture, von Schmieder had made short work of Taylor 7-1 in their first game, and was always in control of the second despite Taylor’s spirited defence, and the Phyllis Court man wrapped up the match 7-5.

This gave Phyllis Court a joyful 4-2 team victory with the Roberts/Russell match halved.

The Phyllis Court spectator gallery remained well attended throughout despite the 8:45 finish.

It included the visiting captain’s dog, who was beautifully behaved throughout and didn’t seem to mind at all which of several Phyllis Court members took turns walking him around the club’s beautiful grounds, while keeping a keen eye on the unfolding action.

It is great that we get such wonderful support form our members; it really does make a difference to the whole atmosphere - thank you to all who came along.

Phyllis Court advance to the quarter-final round for the first time in three seasons and will face the winner of Sussex County v Dulwich.

Scores digest (Phyllis Court names first):

Charlie von Schmieder & Chris Roberts beat Joel Taylor & Tim Russell 7-6, 5-7, 7-6

Ian Norris beat Dan Pearson 7-4, 7-6

Roger Goldring lost to Nick Yates 7-5, 4-7, 2-7

von Schmieder beat Taylor 7-1, 7-5

Roberts drew with Russell 5-7, 7-4 (unfinished)

Norris beat Yates 7-5, 7-5

Goldring lost to Pearson 4-7, 3-7

4 May - Ruth Raunkiaer earns yellow Club Coach badge

Following attendance at a Coaches Qualification Course at the Chiltern Academy a few weeks ago, Ruth Raunkiaer has now completed the required five observed coaching sessions necessary for the awarding of a yellow Club Coach badge.

Congratulations Ruth!

Fellow course attendees, Paul Franklin and Dee McKibbin are expected to complete their observed coaching sessions shortly.

3 May - Kevin Ward wins our Advantage Singles (White Ball) tournament

Kevin Ward won his second trophy in a week when he added our Advantage Singles tournament to his national C-Level tournament win (see the 26 April item below).

Ward dropped a morning block game to David Channon, who had an excellent tournament himself today.

In the morning blocks, Rodger Goldring came through unscathed which really was quite something given that he played successive games conceding the full -4 : 2 advantage to his opponents and he was joined by the also undefeated David Young and also Carol Wordsworth and Christine Searle.

The other two blocks both had ties with three in each block on two wins, so net hoops had to be calculated to separate the six hopefuls.

Carol Huntington and Dee McKibbin came through block A, ahead of Patricia Mulcahy who missed out, while in Block B Ward and Channon made the quarter-finials at the expense of Ian Norris.

There were comfortable quarter-final wins for Wadsworth, Searle, McKibbin and of course Ward, over Huntington, Channon, Young and Goldring respectively.

Ward had to work a bit for his 7 4 semi-final success over Wadsworth but the on-form Mckibbin sailed past Searle 7-2.

Ward established an early lead in the final against McKibbin and the latter did will to keep pace with the favourite's solid hoop running.

Eventually, Ward got home by the slimmest of margins 7-6, and with it came the White Ball trophy and qualification for the end of season 'Grass Rotes' competition.

28 April - Carol Huntington's runner-up spot at Watford C-Level (7+) Series heads good day for PCC players

Carol Huntington squeezed through the morning block rounds on 'net hoops' but had a storming afternoon at Watford today, going all the way to the final and only losing out by a single point 6-7.

The achievement is rewarded by 6 points in the national C-Level (7+) Series competition which will go towards qualification for the national final.

Helen Essa also had an excellent day to finish in 4th place and win 2 Series points, whilst (winner two days ago, see below) Kevin Ward was 5th this time out and Hilary Cowley finished a creditable 8th.

Jane Probitts missed the halt-time 'cut' but was undefeated in the afternoon and won the 'Plate' for 9th overall (adding +21 points to her handicap index tally), and Rob Eagle and Ruth Raunkiaer were 11th and 12th respectively.

26 April - Kevin Ward wins our National C-Level (7+) Series tournament - and qualifies for the National Final

Kevin Ward's tournament victory headed a great day for Phyllis Court today as our club dominated this National C-Level (7+) Series tournament.

Not only did our club fill 11 of the 16 places, they showed very well indeed in the final positions too, with Alastair Broom finishing runner-up, Steve Morton third amongst home players qualifying from the block for the afternoon main knock-out.

The four morning blocks were very evenly contested with only Morton winning all three games, and the other three blocks all had to be decided on net hoop scores to separate players tied on two wins each.

One had to feel for visitors Paul Brown (Sussex County) and Nigel Wulco (Camerton and Peasedown) who both missed the 'cut' by a single hoop.

Only top seed Carol Jamieson (Blewbury) and Phil Hendy (C & P) kept the visitors' hopes alive in the main knock-out and the latter fell in the quarter finals to Broom.

In the other quarters Ward beat late replacement Hugh Crook, Morton beat Christine Searle, and Jamieson got past Ruth Raunkiaer.

The semis were unexpectedly one-sided 7-1 successes for Ward and Broom over Morton and Jamieson respectively, and then Ward established an early lead in the final to win 7-3.

Meanwhile a fully completed plate event was won by Wulco to give the visitors some consolation.

This victory for Ward sees him join Broom in qualifying for the end of season National C-Level (7+) Final at Guildford on 16-17 September.

Congratulations Kevin

26 April - PCC 'AC' 4 - 0 Blewbury 'AC'

Raghu Iyer's AC team got their season off to a terrific start this afternoon with a maximum 4-0 victory away at Blewbury in the Southern Croquet Federation (SCF) AC Handicap League.

Judging by the scores, all four games were competitive and all went to 'time'.

Phyllis Court scores first (with handicaps in brackets):

Raghu Iyer (10) beat Steve Fisher (9) 18-8

Robin Coates (11) beat Andy Robertson (12) 23-14

Rick Lilley (12) beat Minty Clinch (18) 14-9

Roger Goldring (16) beat Claire King (24) 14-7

PCC 'AC' - Raghu Iyer (10), Robin Coates (11), Rick Lilley (12), Roger Goldring (16)

24 April - PCC 'B' 3 - 3 East Dorset 'B'

Heavy rain that quickly produced standing water this afternoon, resulted in the early curtailment of this first SCF B-League fixture of the season.

Andy Jones and Chris Roberts put in good effort pushing the Bowdry water removal machine ahead of the play of two matches that were close to finishing as the rain poured down.

This allowed those two matches to be completed to make the fixture score 3-3, with a further two matches left unfinished.

A 'provisional' draw was agreed between the teams, with the proviso that, if the League title ends up being dependent on the completion of this fixture, East Dorset's David Fuller will return to Phyllis Court to complete his two outstanding matches (v Andy Jones and Raghu Iyer) which are suspended at one game apiece.

Of the completed matches, Russel Robinson and Raghu Iyer were morning winners, whilst Dianne Browne lost 5-7 twice.

And in the afternoon, Jones got the third win for Phyllis Court, as Robinson and Browne put up good fights before going down in deciding third games.

PCC 'B' - Russell Robinson (3), Dianne Browne (3) Andy Jones (4, captain), Raghu Iyer (4)

22 April - Roberts wins Blewbury Open

Chris Roberts (left), with manager Brian Jamieson, was undefeated over seven games in an 'all play all' block that won him the Blewbury Open today.

Phyllis Court represented half the field of eight, with Roger Goldring (four wins) only a last game defeat away from claiming second place.

Helena Fensome and Andy Jones scored two game wins apiece.

21 April - PCC 'C' 4 - 12 PCC 'D'

PCC 'D' scored a resounding 4 - 12 victory in this opening Advantage League match of the season.

Starting late because of previous over-running competition matches and then some highly contested hoops, all made for a long afternoon and the final ball wasn't struck until nearly 1900.

Hero of the day was debutant PCC 'D' Rob Eagle who was undefeated in his four games, and with only one loss, was a second debutant Daphne Spiers.

PCC 'C' - Michael Christmas (4), Gillian Symons (6), Patricia Mulcahy (6, captain), Kevin Ward (8)

PCC 'D' - Trevor Day (9), Paul Franklin (9, captain), Daphne Spiers (10), Rob Eagle (10).

Click here for the full match results.

19 April - Dee McKibbin wins the delayed final of our 10+ (Green Ball) tournament

This final was delayed from 5 April tournament which was reported earlier (scroll down to that date below).

Dee McKibbin and Michael Marcel agreed to contest the matter as a 'best of three' match, and it turned-out to be a close encounter and well worthy of a final.

The first game was very evenly matched, going with the 'serve' that saw toss winner Marcel's hoop score countered at the next hoops by McKibbin's own scores, until the break came at hoop 7 when McKibbin got into the jaws, and score to take the lead for the first time.

Again the hoops were score alternately and this eventually gave Mckibbin the first approach to hoop 13 which she converted to win the game 7-6.

The second game was quite different and Marcel lead throughout to win comfortably 3-7, before the tables were turned again in the deciding third game, where McKibbin got away well and stayed in command to win 7-4, for game, match and tournament victory.

There was some impressive play here today from both players with Marcel's repeated centre ball clearances and McKibbin's excellent confident hoop running very much in evidence.

McKibbin was duly presented with the Green Ball trophy.

Congratulations Dee

18 April - Richard Peperell qualifies as an AC Referee

Richard Peperell received notification this week that he had qualified as an AC Referee, following his attendance at Chiltern Academy course and examination a couple of weeks ago.

He joins Chris Roberts and Frances Colman in our ranks of qualified AC Officials.

Congratulations Richard

Russell Robinson and Roger Goldring

All our independently playing AC players

It has been more than 15 years since we have had this many competing AC players. Long-time AC supremo Raghu Iyer sits proudly centre stage for this recent times record setting group photo (taken by Cliff Hampton)

Back row: Russell Robinson, Paul Franklin, Rob Eagle, Robin Coates, Richard Peperell, Kevin Ward.

Front row: Jeff Smith, Chris Roberts, Frances Colman, Raghu Iyer, Patricia Mulcahy, Rick Lilley, Roger Goldring.

18 April - Goldring wins our AC Handicap tournament Senior Class at the 'golden hoop'

There was high drama at the end of the final of the senior class of our 2-day AC handicap tournament today, when Roger Goldring and Kevin Ward ended with tied scores at the time limit.

Both had been undefeated going into the final, having each won their four player blocks.

Ward looked to have been in the box seat when in play at 'time' but he stuck in the jaws of a hoop that would given him a crucial lead with Goldring permitted one more visit to the court.

Goldring had to hit the jawsed ball from a tight angle but so gently that he didn't cause it to score the hoop point and he managed this with a deftness of stroke to be proud of.

The game went the into a 'first to score' tie-break, and after much cat and mouse inter-play Goldring got the 'golden hoop' victory, and was rewarded with the senior Barnes Cup for the first time

Congratulations Roger

Robinson wins our AC Handicap tournament Junior Class

Russell Robinson beat a competitive field of five (the largest for many years) and was undefeated in the Junior Class that ran alongside as the other half of our AC Spring Tournament.

Russell reports:

Playing 14-point games in an 'all play all' format over the two days, each player had between two and four bisques in each game.

The two-hour time limit seemed apt in the opening game which saw Robinson peg out his second ball in the 'after-time' turn to defeat Patricia Mulcahy 14-3.

Mulcahy had two closer games on day one, a 9-7 win over Rob Eagle but she lost on the 'golden hoop' to Jeff Smith who jawsed his ball with the scores tied at 7-7 in the time turn, presenting an easy tap-in win in extra time.

Earlier Robinson had defeated Smith 10-3 and then Paul Franklin entered the fray in style, beating Eagle 14-4, and then took that excellent form into the second day, to get the better of Mulcahy 14-3 well within the time limit.

Meanwhile, Eagle was very much in the hunt against Robinson, before the latter pulled away at the end to win 14-9, again needing the full two hours.

Undefeated Franklin and Robinson then fought out what was probably going to be the 'title decider', in which Robinson established a strong early lead and, with more bisques left in hand, looked the favourite.

As both players struggled with Court 4’s undulations, Franklin overhauled Robinson's early tally and ground his way to an 8-6 lead himself.

Robinson then pounced on a Franklin error, made a break in the last fifteen minutes and ran out an 11-8 winner, thus staying unbeaten in his four games.

By then, the early morning sunshine had turned into a very cold afternoon; Franklin and Smith went back into action for the last game of the event, in what had become, the 2nd/3rd place decider, which proved to be one of the best and hard-fought games of the tournament.

Smith led for much of the game, but a late break saw Franklin prevail 14-10.

Congratulations Russell

16 April - Kevin Ward represents us at the SCF Champion of Champions (GC) alongside Carol Wadsworth for Blewbury

As the winner of our Advantage season-long competition last season, Kevin Ward represented Phyllis Court at the Southern Croquet Federation (SCF) tournament at Hamptwortb today.

The event gathers together all of the SCF club's handicap competition champions and/or representatives.

Carol Wadsworth was also in the field representing Blewbury.

Wadsworth beat Ward 7-5 in their block game and, after some play-offs for position, they finished 4th and 5th respectivly.

16 April - Roberts and Norris have mixed results at the Cheltenham Open Series tournament

Chris Roberts played to his third place seeding by finishing in that very position at the end of a tough player/manager weekend at Cheltenham.

Roberts set a gruelling day 1 schedule of 9 games for the field of 20, and qualified with ease from his block despite three losses, including one to Norris, who himself was in-line to qualify for the day 2 main knock-out before a last game stumble scuppered his progress.

Norris played well in the Bowl event on Sunday and finished 10th overall, while Roberts got to the main event semi-finals before losing-out to Engald international James Death.

16 April - Broom wins debut CA tournament at Budleigh Salterton

There was a fantastic win today for Alastair Broom, in his first CA tournament, at Budleigh Salterton, Devon.

He lost one game in his block to Sue Custance-Baker but was undefeated thereafter, and made his way through two knock-out rounds to reach the final, where revenge was sweet when he beat Custance-Baker 7-3.

Rob Eagle also qualified for the main knock-out, impressively winning his block on net hoops, but his afternoon was more difficult and he had to settle for 8th place.

Paul Franklin was also involved in a tied block and his 6-7 loss to Ruth Raunkiaer proved costly when he missed qualification by a single net hoop point, but he rallied well in the afternoon Plate event to finish 10th overall.

Helen Essa got a late place in the tournament thanks to a withdrawal, and did well in her first tournament, where she beat Ruth Raunkiaer for 13th/14th place.

- The five strong Phyllis Court contingent at Budleigh today represents the tip of an iceberg of Phyllis Court players who have entered C-Level Series tournaments this season. 17 different players have entered one or more Series tournaments, and have amassed a whopping collective 87 entries between them.

15 April - Jones and Mulcahy step-up to the B-Level Series at Budleigh Salterton

Andy Jones and Patricia Mulcahly out-grew the C-level (7+) Series last season, and dipped their toes into the B-Level (3+) series at Budleigh Salterton today.

They finished in 7th and 12th places respectively.

14 April - PCC 'A' v Blewbury 'A' abandoned (wet court conditions)

There was disappointment this morning when the first SCF League match of the season was called-off inside its first half hour when rain retuned to puddle the courts.

Chris Roberts and Rick Lilley had worded hard, respectively moving the hoops to new holes and pushing the Bowdry (water removal) machine for a couple of hours before the visitors arrived.

We could have easily used the Bowdry for a hour or so, to return conditions to those deemed playable at the start of the match, but Blewbury requested the abandonment and that was reluctantly agreed.

12 April - Charity One-Ball raised £ 340 for the UNHCR - Robin Coates enjoys a narrow victory

This is our contribution to the Croquet Association's annual charity fund raining effort, and this year, funds are being raised for the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

The a money raised, allows three of our players to attend the National Final at Surbiton on 7 May.

Robin Coates won this One Ball Handicap tournament by the narrowest of margins, from Patricia Mulcahy and Chris Roberts, who all tied on 4 wins from six games, and had to be separated (in that order) by the 'who beat whom' tie-break.

Mulcahy lead the field of 12 after four rounds but was pegged back in the last two rounds by the other two.

Coates is away on the date of the finals unfortunately, but Mulcahy will be be flying the Phyllis Court colours.

Finishing order: Robin Coates (4 wins/ 6 games), Patricia Mulcahy (4/6), Chris Roberts (4/6), Jeff Smith (3/6), Rick Lilley (2/5), Carol Wadsworth (3/5), Jim Walter (1/4), Julia Green (0/4), Raghu Iyer (2/3), Joanna Iyer (2/3), Dee McKibbin (1/3), Frances Colman (0/3).

11 April - Rainbow Social Evening

Hilary Cowley (Rainbow Manager) reports:

A successful Rainbow Social was held on 11 April and, despite the rain, 30 players attended and we were delighted to welcome 16 of our new members.

We all gathered in the Isis room with a drink in hand, with Madeleine Probert (referring to the new website on her iPad) and Julia Green assisting, we explained the initiatives offered to our 10+ hnadicapped players.

Rainbow, Evening Series, 10+ competitions and the twice weekly Mix-In were all discussed and questions were answered by members in the room who explained their experiences.

Ten of our new members have signed up for the Rainbow and some players will be applying for the Evening Series and 10+ Competitions following the evening.

The social was a good way to put names to faces and was appreciated by the members who were able to attend, another social is in the planning stages for May.

Click here for more details of the Rainbow.

Michael Marcell in action (photo by Chris Roberts)

5 April - Dee McKibbin and Michael Marcel reach final of the 10+ Singles day-tournament

Dee McKibbin and Michael Marcel won through to their tournament final today, before essential ground maintenance works had to take priority, forcing a postponement of the final to a later date - subsequently decided to be 19 April by mutual agreement.

- Having had such a wet Spring, our splendid groundsman Mark and his team had not been able to complete the top-dressing works that follow the solid tining undertaken a couple of weeks ago, and this afternoon presented a narrow window of opportunity before more forecast rain tomorrow.

So, unfortunately yet understandably, the climax of today's tournament was the casualty.

The day started well with everyone arriving on time which allowed a prompt start with expeditious play in the first two rounds of three in the blocks phase.

Round 3 was rather more disjointed and three games were very delayed in finishing and, with others taking far too long over a simple sandwich lunch, the afternoon programme (which was already on a tighter than usual schedule), got an unhelpful staggered start.

X-Games (for those not making the last 8 main knockout) were organised as players became available, to get as many games in as possible.

Star of the morning was Sue Rumford (seeded 15 of 16) who won all three of her games, a feat equalled by Carol Huntington and Aly Warren.

Rumford fell in the quarter-finals to McKibbin, while Marcel, Warren and Alastair Broom beat Huntington, Stuart Crippen and Julia Green respectively.

In two close semi-finals, Marcel beat Broom 7-5, and Mckibbin survived a spirited comeback from Warren to win 7-4.

And that was it, as groundsman Mark closed in with the top-dressing machinery, the hoops were removed to the side of the courts and the players went to the bar!

The final will be played at 1200 on 19 April by McKibbin and Marcel's agreement, and they also went with the 'bast of three' games option offered by manager Frances Colman, who had officiated all day, along with referee duties that were supported by Andy Jones and Helena Fensome.

Click here for the full results.

Groundsman Mark Becinsale spreading the top dressing this afternoon (photo by Chris Roberts)

4 April - PCC 'A' 6 - 1 Camerton & Peasedown, National Inter-Club Championship first round

Phyllis Court 'A' cruised to a comfortable 6 - 1 victory over visitors Camerton & Peasedown in the national Inter-Club Championship first round today.

Robin Coates and Roger Goldring were each pressed to a 7-6 result on one of their games, but both recorded straight game victories over their morning and afternoon singles opponents and Ian Norris (playing at number 2) was also undefeated throughout his morning doubles (partnering Chris Roberts) and afternoon singles.

Camerton's Andy Loakes was on fire in the afternoon 1 v 1 rubber and he hit Chris Roberts centre ball repeatedly from up to 14 yards in a quite remarkable display that earned him a thoroughly deserved personal victory and consolation for Camerton.

Phyllis Court 'A' will now play defending National Champions Roehampton in the last 16 of this competition, in an unusual afternoon / evening match on Friday 5 May (starting at 1500).

PCC 'A': Chris Roberts (-2), Ian Norris (-1), Robin Coates (1), Roger Goldring (0).

Click here for the full results.

1 April - Goldring wins exciting Open Singles Tournament

Roger Goldring retained the Open Singles day-tournament title, and with it the Blue Ball trophy, ahead of a quality field of 8 of our top 10 players today.

it was nice to see a good number of croquet members supporting the tournament this afternoon, on what was not a warm day.

Many thanks to Frances Colman for Managing and Refereeing all day in the cold, and to Andy Jones and Russell Robinson who manfully helped Chris Roberts push the heavy Bowdry water removal machine this morning (despite not being in the playing line-up themselves).

It was a long day (starting with Bowdry at 0800) and the highly contested tournament went on until 1840 with an exciting deciding last game.

Going into the last round, Charlie von Schmieder was out in front on 5 wins, followed by Roger Goldring and Ian Norris on 4 and this trio had Chris Roberts, Helena Fensome and Robin Coates to play respectively.
If von Schmieder won his last game, he would win the tournament but if he lost and either or both Goldring and Norris won, there would be a tie on 5 game wins each, with net hoops deciding the tournament winner.
Norris lost surprisingly to Coates, who had had a bad day up to that point, so that put Norris out of the running, before Goldring beat H.Fensome to equal von Schmieder's 5 wins, and so the tournament hung on the von Schmieder v Roberts result.

Roberts stormed ahead to 5-2 due to some tidy hoop running and a lucky fortune ricochet at hoop 6.
Hoops 8 and 9 were long contests but eventually Roberts lead 6-3 and then ran hoop 10 for the win, which created the tie on 5 games win each for von Schmieder and Goldring.

Manager Frances Colman calculated the net hoop tallies which were +9 and +12 making Goldring the winner at the end of an excellent day all-round.

Finishing order: Goldring (5 wins from 7 games), von Schmieder (5), Roberts (4), Norris (4), M.Fensome (3), Lilley (3), H.Fensome (2), Coates (2).

2023 News

31 July - PCC 'B' 3 - 5 Ryde 'B'

31 July- PCC 'D' 9 - 6 Caversham (part 2 of previously rain affected fixture)

28 July - PCC 'Federations Shield' 5.5 - 1.5 Sheffield

~ through to the National Semi-Finals ~

27 July - Christine Searle wins final of our 10+ Singles (Green Ball) tournament no.2.

26 July - Dee McKibbin & Carol Huntington qualify for All England National final

21 July - PCC 'A' 6.5 - 1.5 High Wycombe 'A'

21 July - PCC 'D' 8 - 8 Winchester 'B'

19-20 July - Aldermaston's Martin Burger wins the Phyllis Court & High Wycombe AC Advanced 7+ tournament

18-20 July - Rick Lilley just misses the cat at the GC National Seniors

17 - 19 July - Richard Peperell is behind the lens at the AC World Chaampionship

15 July - PCC 'AC' 2 - 1 Harwell / Eynsham

14 July - Phyllis Court 'AC' 5 - 2 Winterbourne Valley - National Inter-Club Secretary's Shield (AC Handicap) quarter final

- Great win for PCC who reach semis for the first time!

12 July - Phyllis Court 4 - 3 Roehampton - National Inter-Club Championship quarter final

- Mulcahy keeps cool head to win match deciding game at hoop 13

8 July - Chris Roberts wins Open Singles (Blue Ball) Tournament by one hoop in three-way tie

07 July - PCC 'A' 1.5 - 5.5 Dulwich - National Inter-Club Championship

06 July - Phyllis Court still in 4 National Inter-Club team competitions - in action TOMORROW and coming weeks

28 June - PCC 'B' 4 - 4 Blewbury 'B'

25 June - PCC trio Morton, Essa & Wadsworth do well at the Guildford C-Level Series tournament

25 June - The GC British Open Championship - Singles Day 4

- follow the results on Croquet Scores -

24 June - The GC British Open Championship - Singles Day 3

- follow the results on Croquet Scores -

Double World Champion Reg Bamford with Frances Colman before their match

23 June - The GC British Open Championship - Singles Day 2

- follow the results on Croquet Scores -

22 June - The GC British Open Championship - Singles Day 1

- follow the results on Croquet Scores -

22 June - Frances Colman joins Chris Roberts in The GC British Open Championship - (Singles preview)

- follow the results on Croquet Scores -

19 June - Carol Huntington wins the Women's Advantage Tournament

Winner Carol Huntington

Winner Roger Goldring (photo by Chris Roberts)

16 June - Roger Goldring is a new name on our 80+ Singles trophy

15 June - Alastair Broom wins the Woking C-Level (7+) Series tournament​

- and Carol Huntington is runner-up in an 'All Phyllis Court' Final

Winner Alastair Broom with Woking Tournament Manager Sara Anderson

14 June - Helen Essa win the Ealing C-Level (7+) Series tournament​

Winner Helen Essa (photo by Rob Eagle)

14 June - Richard Peperell wins the Budleigh Salterton AC B-class tournament undefeated

Winner Alastair Broom with the Black Ball trophy (photo by Patricia Mulcahy)

7 June - Alastair Broom wins our 8+ Singles & Black Ball trophy​​

11 June - Charlie von Schmieder wins the GC Home Internationals with Ireland

Charlie von Schmieder (far left), with victorious Ireland teammates Simom Williams, Patsy Fitzgerald and Mark Stephens (photo by Nick Holman)

5 June - PCC 'A' 1.5 - 6.5 East Dorset 'A'​

4 June - 60+ spectators at PCC as Roberts is runner-up in SCF Championship​

4 June - Patricia Mulcahy finishes 12th at the Women's Open Championship - Day 3 (of 3)​

3 June - Patricia Mulcahy gets a win at the Women's Open Championship - Day 2 (of 3)​

2 June - Patricia Mulcahy plays in the Women's Open Championship - Day 1 (of 3)​

2 June - PCC 'Murphy Shield' 4 - 3 Camerton & Peasedown (away)​

​

This is a really good result from our Murphy Shield team, and the latest in a string of successes for our sides in National Competitions.

The 'Murphy Shield' is the second tier of the GC Inter-Club competitions and is restricted by handicap - (one player may have a handicap of 2, and the other players must be higher).

Kevin Ward got Phyllis Court on to the scoreboard with a straight games win over Marion Button 7-5, 7-5.

But that was countered by the home side when Jeff Smith was defeated 4-7, 6-7 by Des Back.

That left all eyes on the doubles rubber where Phyllis Court captain Andy Jones and Raghu Iyer were taken to a third deciding game by hosts' Brian Wilson and Mo Boys.

Jones reported later that it was Iyer's good positional play that kept them in it early in the match, and as Jones himself warmed to the task, the Phyllis Court pair eventually won 6-7. 7-5, 7-3, for a 2-1 team match lead at lunch.

In the number 3 head-to-head, Smith suffered a second 6-7 loss of the day to Button, who then levelled the team match with a 3-7 win, as the other three afternoon singles went to deciding third games.

Camerton went one game up in all three contests but only converted the number 4 game when Phyllis Court's Ward was beaten by Camerton's Back 7-5, 2-7, 3-7.

Iyer's 5-7, 7-3, 7-5 victory over Boyes tied the team match at 3-3 before Jones and Wilson embarked on the third game of their match, both knowing that the fixture hung in the balance.

Jones reported hooping better in that decider and he got well ahead before winning ''in style' with a 15 yard in/off!

Click here for the full match results.

The detail is also on Croquet Scores here - https://croquetscores.com/2023/gc/uk-inter-club-murphy-shield-camerton-peasedown-v-phyllis-court/camerton-peasedown-vs-phyllis-court

PCC 'Murphy Shield': Andy Jones (3), Raghu Iyer (4), Jeff Smith (5), Kevin Ward (5)

- Congratulations team :O)

30/31 May - Woking visitor Michael Newman wins our AC 7+ Advanced Tournament jointly hosted with Blewbury​

28 May - Patricia Mulcahy wins Plate in Dublin debut​

28 May - GC European Championships, Day 4 -

Roberts finishes 11th, von Schmieder 17th, and Fensome 21st (field of 32)

28 May - PCC 'AC' 4 - 0 Caversham 'AC'​

27 May - GC European Championships, Day 3 - Roberts qualifies for main Championship K-O but the loses to Spanish no.1

26 May - GC European Championships, Day 2 - Roberts on brink of qualification with three wins today

26 May - PCC 'B' 4 - 4 High Wycombe 'B'​

25 May - GC European Championships, Day 1 - Tough opening day for PCC playing trio and Ref Colman ​

24 May - PCC 'C' 12 - 4 Winchester 'B'​

23 May - Follow PCC members at the GC European Championships ​

18 May - PCC 'Federations Shield' 6 - 1 Swanage​

Winner Roger Goldring
(photo by Chris Roberts)

15 June - Alastair Broom wins the Woking C-Level (7+) Series tournament

14 June - Helen Essa win the Ealing C-Level (7+) Series tournament

Winner Alastair Broom with the Black
Ball trophy (photo by Patricia Mulcahy)

7 June - Alastair Broom wins our 8+ Singles & Black Ball trophy

5 June - PCC 'A' 1.5 - 6.5 East Dorset 'A'

4 June - 60+ spectators at PCC as Roberts is runner-up in SCF Championship

4 June - Patricia Mulcahy finishes 12th at the Women's Open Championship - Day 3 (of 3)

3 June - Patricia Mulcahy gets a win at the Women's Open Championship - Day 2 (of 3)

2 June - Patricia Mulcahy plays in the Women's Open Championship - Day 1 (of 3)

2 June - PCC 'Murphy Shield' 4 - 3 Camerton & Peasedown (away)

30/31 May - Woking visitor Michael Newman wins our AC 7+ Advanced Tournament jointly hosted with Blewbury

28 May - Patricia Mulcahy wins Plate in Dublin debut

28 May - PCC 'AC' 4 - 0 Caversham 'AC'

26 May - PCC 'B' 4 - 4 High Wycombe 'B'

25 May - GC European Championships, Day 1 - Tough opening day for PCC playing trio and Ref Colman

24 May - PCC 'C' 12 - 4 Winchester 'B'

23 May - Follow PCC members at the GC European Championships

18 May - PCC 'Federations Shield' 6 - 1 Swanage

14 May - Rick Lilly wins High Wycombe AC handicap tournament