PHYLLIS COURT CROQUET CLUB
2024 News
05 December 2024 - ENGLAND v WALES - full international match at Phyllis Court on Saturday 25 January
For the first time ever, Phyllis Court will host a full international match! - save the date!
England will play Wales in a 'warm-up' fixture before heading off to Tasmania for their World Teams Championship (17-23 February).
Do come along to watch the spectacularly hard-hitting young England team with three players under 23, including UK number 1 Jack Good.
Our own Chris Roberts will be in the Wales team.
More soon, as other details are announced . . . .
05 December 2024 - Well attended AGM today - Patricia Mulcahy continues as our Chairman for 2025
Our AGM was well attended by members in the Findlay Suite this morning.
The full minutes are being prepared and will be circulated shortly.
However, the headline news is the election for our committee members for 2025.
As per our constitution, the new committee met immediately after the AGM to elect the Club Officers.
Patricia Mulcahy was elected to continue as Chairman, likewise Julia Green as Secretary, and Alastair Broom is our new Treasurer (taking over from Russell Robinson, who retired at the end of his 5-years' sterling service).
Other committee roles will be assigned by our Chairman on or before the first committee meeting on 9 January.
Our Committee 2025
Patricia Mulcahy - Chairman
Julia Green - Secretary
Alastair Broom (New) - Treasurer
Hilary Cowley
Helen Essa (New)
Paul Franklin
Rick Lilley
Chris Roberts (returning)
Kevin Ward​​
Frances Colman & Chris Roberts awarded Honorary Membership
​Our President Frances Colman and former Chairman Chris Roberts were awarded Honorary Membership of Phyllis Court Croquet Club in recognition of their hard work and devotion to the Club and with wides sport of croquet over more than 15 years.​​
Links to their full citations will appear here shortly:
04 December 2024 - Play resumes after 8 days of cancelations
The river level and water table have fallen substantially and our courts have dried out sufficiently to aallow play o Courts 1, 2 & 3 today.
Court 4 still has standing water and will likely be out of action for another few days.
26 November - 03 December 2024 - No play for over a week as winter wet, freeze and frost arrive - followed by rising river and water table level
Below:
30 November - 0800 - The river level and water table are now extremely high.
Courts 1 & 2 remain waterlogged, 4 and half of 3 are lakes and the pavilion is inaccessible without wellies! (photos Chris Roberts)
Below:
29 November - 0730, 0900, 1130 - The river level has been steadily rising all day rising and the water table is now extremely high and the water table has flooded our courts
Far left - 0900 - Court 4
Near left - 0730 - Jumping area and court 3
(photos above by Patricia Mulcahy and Paul Franklin)
Below:
26 November - 0900 and a lovely winter morning's sky, but frost and waterlogging meant no play (photo by Paul Franklin)
28 November - 0930 and a really think frost hid frozen and then still waterlogged courts with the river level remaining very high (photo by Chris Roberts)
21 November 2024 -
Coming-up . . .
Thu 5 Dec
Annual General Meeting (AGM)
1030 - for tea, coffee & biscuits
1100 - meeting starts
83 attend our Annual Prizegiving Dinner
to hail our all our prize winners, including our
2024 Club Champions
Charlie von Schmieder (AC) & Rick Lilley (GC)
and our
National Champions GC Federations Shield team
Above - National Champions! : The Phyllis Court team celebrate retaining our National GC Federations Shield title
(from left) Chris Roberts, Kevin Ward, Patricia Mulcahy, Paul Franklin & Andy Jones, with President Frances Colman
(photo by Nick Fontannaz) (see news item 21 November)
Right above - Our AC Champion Charlie von Schmieder (see news item 16 November)
Right below - Our GC Champion Rick Lilley (see news item 21 September)
(photos by Chris Roberts)
Von Schmieder is our AC Club Champion!
1 - Charlie von Schmieder with the Boucher Trophy and today's last match opponent Richard Peperell
2 - Peperell assesses what to do having been cleverly cross-wired at the peg
3 - von Schmieder attempting his triple peel
4 - von Schmieder with President Frances Colman (photos by Chris Roberts)
16 November 2024 - Von Schmieder wins our AC Club Championship for 12th time despite good fight by Peperell
Charlie von Schmieder was properly challenged in this year's Phyllis Court AC Competition but fought off the twin challenges of Chris Roberts and Richard Peperell to win his record twelfth title in the final game of the series today
Von Schmieder lost to Roberts in their first game of three back in the summer, but went on to win the match 2-1 six weeks ago and before Roberts recorded a match win in straight games against Peperell soon after.
Von Schmieder went in to Saturday's final episode of this season Championship 1-0 up against Peperell and he further tightened his grip on his latest title when he took his first ball round to 4-back (hoop 10) early in the game.
Peperell responded well reaching 4-back himself but then breaking down at 2-back (hoop 8) with his second ball, leaving the game well poised.
No stranger to the top lines of play, von Schmieder then embarked on a 'triple-peel attempt', in which the striker takes his second ball around the 12-hoop course, whilst between scoring stokes, also peels (manoeuvres his own first ball through its remaining hoops) three times.
The reward is high as it denies the opponent a return to the court, not unlike a top snooker player 'clearing the table'', but the risk is high because a slip usually hands the game to the opponent,
All went well until, with two of the required peels done, von Schmieder unluckily hit the centre peg when trying to propel his partner ball to its last target hoop and the triple peel attempt had to be abandoned.
Peperell was left with along shot which he missed and the spectators were left aghast when von Schmieder came back in, ran his last hoop and then inexplicably missed a routine peg-out end of game score.
Peperell grasped the lifeline offered and went on multi peeling turns of his own, while moving von Schmieder's remaining single ball to far off comers, but was interrupted by the game timer sounding which left him a near impossible line of play to tie, and he ended up one short.
Von Schmieder was full of praise for Peperell's spirted fight-back and Phyllis Court resident Frances Colman congratulated both players as she awarded von Schmieder his familiar Boucher Trophy to hold for another year.
Roberts finished runner-up in the Championship thanks to his earlier defeat of Peperell.
Congratulations again Charlie
President Frances Colman flanked by winners
Helen Essa (Rothwell Cup) & Russell Robinson (Adlam Tankard)
(photo by Chris Roberts)
12 November 2024 - Essa wins the AC High Handicap 'Rothwell' Competition
​​​​Helen Essa was confirmed as the winner of the AC High Handicap competition by organiser Paul Franklin, and she was presented with the Rothwell Cup today by President Frances Colman.
Essa won her second Ac trophy of the season, and as previously, the victory was decided on net hoops resolution after a tie on game wins - this time, it was a three-way tie with Patricia Mulcahy and jJff Smith, with each winning and losing one game apiece.
​
12 November 2024 - Robinson beats Iyer in Final of the AC handicap 'Adlam' knock-out competition
Russell Robinson beat Raghu Iyer 25-9 in the final of the AC handicap knock-out competition this morning,
Iyer won the opening, controlled the early exchanges and was first to score as he kept control of the innings to the extent that it was fully 20 minutes below Robinson hit his first roquet.
In the low scoring first half of the game, Iyer hung onto his one bisque realising the threat of its deployment was as as powerful as the extra turn itself.
Robinson eventually nosed in front and, with a sustained period where he controlled the innings, he began to score hops with every visit to the court, whilst showing greater caution, befitting the status of this final,
Iyer chose wisely to take his bisque with a potential four-ball break ahead of him, but failed to convert the chance and Robinson was pleased to see the advantage yield only one hoop, as he extended the lead soon after.
Iyer's challenge evaporated in the last quarter of the game and, with game all but technically won, Robinson iced his victory 'cake' with two mulit-hoop breaks at the close, to give the score-line amore comfortable feel.
Congratulations Helen & Russell
08 November 2024 - Broom wins delayed 3+ Plate Final
​​​​
Alastair Broom won the delayed final of the 3+ Plate season-long competition today in a close match versus Carl Billson.
Broom won the firts game at a canter 7-2, but was pegged back by Billson's 5-7, before returning winning form 7-5 in the decider.
Membership Secretary Hilary Cowley was on hand to congratulate the winner, and took this photo of Carol Billson (left) and Alastair Boom (right) in the Regatta Bar.
Congratulations Alastair
01 November 2024 - Robinson wins the AC 5+ Section Tankard
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Russell Robinson's AC improvement in the second half of this season, was again in evidence this morning when he best Frances Colman 26-7 to secure the second tier AC Advanced 5+ season-long competition for 2025.
This was the last of Robinson's four block games and he had already beaten Patricia Mulcahy and Raghu Iyer by similar score lines, so finishing undefeated made him the worthiest of winners.
Colman and Iyer were both two-time previous winners and Robinson will be a new name for our engravers to mark on the Section Tankard.
Congratulations Russell
30 October 2024 - Colman & Roberts win the Open Doubles Club Championship at the last hoop!
Frances Colman and Chris Roberts won the Open Doubles Club Championship in an epic 4-hour marathon final with Delia & Ian Norris today.
The Norrises came from behind to steal the first game 4-7 with better ball placement and centre-ball clearances, together with good fortune on occasions.
Most notable was when Roberts's ball nestled against the leg of hoop 7 allowing Ian an in-off from the most improbable of angles, and leaving Colman hampered with only a very wide approach to hoop 8 possible.
Buoyed by this, Delia ran hoop 8 with confidence and the Norrises carried that lead to the end of the first game.
Colman and Roberts raced to a 2-0 and then 3-1 lead in the second game before Delia ran the best hoop of the match to score hoop 5 from the angled on the south boundary sailing past her opponents two scoring balls it got her side right back into contention.
Thereafter, there was only one score in it and the thirteenth hoop beckoned with Roberts first to approach but badly as it turned out when he only got to level with the hoop, putting his side on the back foot having to defend when both opponents placements were better.
After some interaction, it was Roberts' turn for good fortune and his clearance of Ian's saw the striker's ball come off at just the right angle to smash in to Delia's 'scoring' ball too, and after two easy missed hoop shots Colman eventually score to take the match to a decider.
Colman and Roberts were more comfortable in the third game but couldn't quite get the two hoop advantage they were seeking and this came home to roost when Delia 'snicked-off' Colman's ball that she was trying to clear at hoop 11, to take the lead for the first time.
Colman ran hoop 12 well but the Delia had the crucial first approach to to hoop 13 that would decide the match, and although she got the distance, Roberts got a more threatening position, Ian was short and Colman got in front but further out than ideal.
Delia chose to move Roberts rather than shoot, which was probably wise, but ensured more jockeying for position until Colman took on a bold hoop shot with probable in-off score for Delia next if she missed.
Instead, Colman ran the hoop really well and celebrated with an involuntary skip and hop in the air as she clinched the Open Doubles Club Championship 4-7, 7-6, 7-6.
This was a wonderful match that had it all, good skills from all for players, occasional luck for both sides and was played in an excellent spirit throughout.
30 October 2024 - Warren & Marcel also win 7+ Doubles at the last hoop!
Aly Warren and Michael Marcel won the delayed final of the 7+ Doubles competition this afternoon which ended with the second 'last hoop' dramatic finale of the day.
They were pushed all the way by the excellent play of Carol Huntington and Tony Peperell, who got better the longer that match went on were in the ascendency going into the third and deciding game, having come back from a 7-4 loss to win the second game 7-6.
Warren and Marcel combo did well to counter this and the decider built to an exciting finale at 5-5 with Warren first to approach hoop 11 and well.
Peperell decided to clear with his side's first ball, and hit Warren though he did, the move allowed Marcel to take commend of that short hoop and although Huntington also hit, she and P confined to defending and eventually had to concede the crucial 6-5 shoreline.
Huntington scored hoop 12 to take the game to the 13th hoop where Warren and Marcel's first approach
allowed them to command and eventually convert when Marcel maturely snuggled up to Huntington denying her a shot at Warren who was poised to score.
A rotation later, Huntington had a desparate and ambitious jump attempt to save the game, got airborne, but it was too far out really and she pushed Warren through to score for the 7-4, 6-7, 7-6 win
26 October 2024 - Essa clinches AC Women's Orr Plate by a single point
Helen Essa was beaten by Frances Colman today but not by enough to deny her the AC Women's Orr Plate trophy.
Going into this last game in a three player block, which also included Patricia Mulcahy, Colman needed to win in order to tie the block on one game win each; and a win by 10+ points would have won her the title on net hoops.
Essa had a nightmare start and squandered her 5 bisques (extra turns) without scoring and Colman slowly extended her lead to wards the target victory margin.
In an exciting finish, Colman finally achieved the goal at 13 - 3 ahead as she finished her break after 'time' was called, but then an unfortunate brush with the ground took the pace off her ball as she attempted to put it safely in a corner.
Essa came in with one last visit to the court and duly hit Colman's ball that hadn't got far enough away.
Then with great maturity, she used the other balls to position in front of her required hoop at the other end of the court, and scored the crucial point that reduced Colman's winning margin to 9.
Essa lost the game 13-4 but won the competition on net hoops by that single point.
Today's game was played in an excellent spirit throughout, and as our photo shows, there was pleasure on both sides as President Colman presented winner Essa with the lovely silver Orr Plate.
26 October 2024 - Day 9 report - Mulcahy watches 18 year old Fields become the GC World Champion
Patricia Mulcahy playing tournament ended yesterday and today was mostly about the Would Championship Final.
Alongside the main event of the day, Mulcahy firstly supported James Galpin (England) winning the Plate Final before switching her attention to teenager Blake Fields' remarkable victory against hot favourite Robbie Fletcher (Australia).
This link includes the Would Championship Final coverage: - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsKaCggIltFL8eBUg5wHYH6191-Ewu1l
​
Patricia subsequently wrote a report for the Croquet Association of Ireland, detailing her experience at the Championships and here is a link -
https://www.croquetireland.com/index.php/node/615
25 October 2024 - Day 8 report - Mulcahy plays on
Patricia Mulcahy enjoyed the opportunity to play further consolation games at the World Championships today.
This morning she lost to Anton Kamne (Sweden) 2-7 and this afternoon 3-7 to Tom Halliday (Scotland).
In the main event, Robbie Fletcher (Australia) looks unstoppable and in today's first semi-final, he beat the last English hope Euan Burridge 3-0.
Fletcher is on 19/20 game wins in tis Championship and he hasn't lost a match since last November.
The other semi-final teenager Blake Fields (USA) beat Khaled Karmel (Egypt) 3-0.
The Final - Robbie Fletcher (Australia) v Blake Fields (USA) - will be live-streamed from 1400 tomorrow.
24 October 2024 - Day 7 report - Mulcahy get a second game win today
Patricia Mulcahy recorder her second game win of the Championships today, and a convening one it was too.
She beat Alexander Kirsten (Germany) 7-1.
Before that, Mulcahy was very competitive against Spain International Nicholas Denziot in a 5-7 defeat this morning and her Plate programme finished with a 1-7 reverse to former World AC finalist David Maloof (USA).
I am not sure if that is then end of play for our Chairman, or if their are any further consolation games on offer on the last two days of the Championship.
In the main event, it was quarter-finals day today and England's Euan Burridge got through to his first semi and will face hot favourite Robbie Fletcher (Australia) in a 'best of five' match tomorrow.
In the other semi-final, teenager Blake Fields (USA) eventually beat his former tutor Brian Lozano (Mexico) in near darkness at the 13th hoop of the deciding game of their 'best of five' match.
24 October 2024 - Stefan was hard at work today (and everyday) treating our courts and chemical spraying for disease prevention
23 October 2024 - PCC 'D' are the SCF Advantage League Champions again - PCC 'D' 14 -2 Ryde
PCC 'D' team:
Liz Smith, Rob Eagle,
Helen Essa & Michael Marcel
PCC 'D' are the SCF Advantage League Champions again after they thrashed Ryde 14-2 in the League Final at Phyllis Court today.
The match started in a typical fashion for a final, with two seemingly evenly matched sides winning two games apiece in the opening round, with Phyllis Court's Michael Marcel and Helen Essa on the wrong end of score lines.
But thereafter, Phyllis Court really took the match to their visitors and they were undefeated in the second round, which included an exciting finale in the Helen Essa v Jim O'Keeffe match where Essa scored the game winner at hoop 15 from a very tight angle, to take Phyllis Court 6-2 up in the team match lead going into lunch.
If Ryde had been hoping that the break might have worked in their favour, they were to be disappointed, and if anything PCC 'D' looked even more on to in the third round.
Again the won all four games, including Liz Smith's 7-4 win over Ryde captain Mick Abbot which gave Phyllis Court the crucial match winning ninth point, not that she realised the significance at the time.
Helen Essa added a tenth victory for Phyllis Court with a super angled shot that nobody watching thought to be a scoreable hoop.
Captain Rob Eagle was back to his beat form and, by way of showing that he had shaken-off his C-Level Series National Final blues, he was first to finish his final round game, and he ended unbeaten in the match.
Marcel finished next and with another win, giving him three for the match, which Essa equalled soon after, and Smith was all smiles when she won for a fourth time to keep an unblemished record.
In fairness to Ryde, the team match result of 14-2 did flatter Phyllis Court rather, and five of the 16 results were by 7-6, but take nothing away from PCC 'D' this was a super performance and they truly deserved to glory of the presentation of the SCF Advantage League Cup.
- - - This win gives Phyllis Court two teams in the National Federations Shield competition in 2025! - - -
PCC 'D' - Michael Marcel (5), Rob Eagle (5), Helene Essa (6), Liz Smith (8)
23 October 2024 - Day 6 report - Mulcahy continues in the Plate event
Patricia Mulcahy continued in the Plate event today along with 35 other players.
She lost all five of her Plate Block A games today, 1-7 to both Ian Burridge (Wales) and Stu Smith (England), 3-7 to both Richard Bilton (England) and Adam Barr (Canada) and got very close to Thomas Ingram (Hong Kong) 6-7.
Mulcahy has three more games tomorrow.
See 22 October news item below for links to watch live-streaming and real-time results.
22 October 2024 - Day 5 report - "I am thrilled to bits!" - Mulcahy's 6-7 impresses World no. 2 Ahmed Elmahdy
Patricia Mulcahy said the she was 'thrilled to bits" to have taken the World no.2 Ahmed Elmahdy (Egypt) to 6-7 in a game that she had lead 4-1 and 6-5 and looked on route to, what would have been, the biggest upset of the Championships!
Elmahdy had been 'flicking-off' Mulcahy's balls to position at next hoops in order throughout the match and Mulcahy recognised the danger of that as he controlled hoop 12, trailing by one hoop score and need that hoop and the 13th.
Mulcahy neutralised that threat by positioning her balls on the East boundary, forcing Elmahdy to go for an 'all eggs in one basket' promotion instead, but she was then just short with her own first ball with the game for the taking.
Mulcahy did have a hoop shot for the game but failed it and a few stokes later the Egyptian got the match winning score.
Elmahdy complimented Mulcahy at the end of their 1-7, 6-7 match, saying that the second game had been his 'toughest yet'.
Elmahdy is have a storming tournament, has won all his matches, has only dropped 1 game in 19 and is now even more the most likely challenger for favourite Robert Fletcher (Australia).
22 October 2024 - Michael Christmas R.I.P.
It is with sadness that we report that our long-standing member Michael Christmas died yesterday following a long illness.
Michael was a lovely fellow and a true gentleman who always had a happy disposition, be that on a croquet court, at the snooker or bridge tables, or socialising more generally around Phyllis Court, and he leaves a lasting memory of his beaming smile for his many friends at the Club.
At croquet, Michael was no mean player, and while centring on Golf Croquet, he also played Association Croquet for a short time and, as a high handicapper, was successful at that too.
He played social games most frequently and, in later years, was a stalwart of the 'Saturday 8am quartet' with John Ethridge, Deon Melck and Jim Walter.
Michael also played for Phyllis Court GC teams in the SCF 'B' (3+) League and SCF Handicap League and was also successful individually and as a doubles partner.
Our achieves record the following achievement (click on the 'past winners' tab above):
Golf Croquet
3+ Singles - 2019 (runner-up)
7+ Singles - 2018 (runner-up)
7+ Doubles - 2017 (runner-up, partnering Jim Walter)
7+ Doubles - 2019 (tied WINNER, partnering Jim Walter)
Association Croquet
Summer tournament (high handicap class) - 2018 & 2019 (winner)
One Ball Handicap tournament - 2018 & 2019 (winner)
Chris Roberts
(on behalf of Chairman Patricia Mulcahy who is abroad)
22 October 2024 - Live Streaming STARTS TODAY - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0acGDxvi0Vo
Former World Champion Chris Clarke will be commentating on the Live-Stream, so you can follow all the action from the comfort of your own home.
Remembering that Virginia is 5 hours behind the UK, so I'd expect the coverage to start at around 1400 our time
You can also follow the resulst in real time on CROQUET SCORES - https://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/wcf-golf-croquet-world-championship/block-b
This link goes to Patricia's Block B, from where you can access all the other blocks too.
21 October 2024 - Day 4 report - Mulcahy gets first game win
Patricia Mulcahy won her first game this morning and so nearly the 'best of three' match versus Paul Neubecker (USA), to break her duck at the Championships. Showing tremendous spirit to come back from a 1-7 first game reverse, Mulcahy won the second 7-6 and then, in an exciting finish, she hit a game 3 saving clearance at hoop 13, all the way from beyond hoop 1 (corner to corner!). This earned her a hoop shot for the match, but then she had the heartbreak of accidentally touching her ball in preparation and had to watch Neubecker steal the result: 1-7, 7-6, 6-7.
Mulcahy was cock a hoop with the first game win and even more enthused for her second match v Amr Hamdy (Canada) which took place around 2130 our time - she was competitive again but went down 4-7, 3-7.
Mulcahy has one game block game left to play and it's' the 'big one' versus the top seed in her block and second seed in the whole Championships, Ahmed Elmahdy (Egypt) who is ranked Number 2 in the World. Elmahdy is have a storming tournament, has won all hsi matches and only dropped 1 game in 17 so far.
20 October 2024 - Day 3 report
Patricia Mulcahy continues with spirted performances, scoring more hoops in the second games of her matches against her string of illustrious opponents This morning (USA time), she got some hoops off Greg Fletcher (Australia international and world number 99) in a 1-7, 4-7 defeat.
Thais afternoon, she lost to Andres Alvarez-Sala (Spain international and world number 29) 2-7, 3-7,
19 October 2024 - Day 2 report
Patricia Mulcahy came unstuck in her third 'best of three' match of the Championships this morning, and went down to the 10th seed Mohamed Walid (Egypt) 1-7, 4-7. This afternoon it was more of the same, 2-7, 4-7 to David Maloof (USA).
Although Mulcahy is yet to win a game, it should be remembered that there is a gulf between her ranking position and those of all her opponents at these Championships.
19 October 2024 - Over a dozen happy new mallet owners on our Mike Pervical Mallets Day a Phyllis Court
Although the heavy overnight and morning rain put paid to any on-court action at Phyllis Court today, there was plenty of excitement in the ballroom where, friend of Phyllis Court CC, Mallet Maker Mike Percival and his wife Ann made their fourth visit to the Club.
Coaches Frances Colman & Chris Roberts were on hand to advise and several members (and visitors from High Wycombe, Eynsham and Thames Valley Clubs) all tried Mike's mallets for size and then placed orders.
Mike has given us a new mallet to add to our club stock by way of commission :O)
18 October 2024 - Day 1 report
Patricia Mulcahy got off to a good start in her opening match versus Dom Aarvold (England) today scoring hoop 1 and trading hoops thereafter round to 5-5, before Aarvold broke 'serve' to win 7-5 and then followed up with a 7-3 for the match win.
Mulcahy was competitive again in her second match, a 4-7, 4-7 loss to Te Kiri King (New Zealand).
18 October 2024 - Chairman Mulcahy debuts at Full GC World Championship in the USA (preview) - STARTS TODAY -
Patricia in the green of Ireland at the Opening Ceremony
​​​Chairman Patricia Mulcahy takes her croquet career to the very top of our sport today, when she debuts at the full GC Would Championships in the U.S.A.
Mulcahy lines-up as the only representative of Ireland in an 80-strong field at Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club in Virginia, with play starting tomorrow (18th) and running through to Saturday 26th October.
She is the lowest ranked player bar one in the field, so has nothing to loose, in what will be a fantastic and probably once in a life-time opportunity.
The programme for the tournament - https://issuu.com/uscacroquetnews/docs/2024_croquet_news_fall_edition-cnm24v3?fr=sNjc3ZTc3NjE1NjY
The Programme includes profiles of all the players, and Patricia of course gives Phyllis Court a mention!
Live Streaming - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0acGDxvi0Vo
Former World Champion Chris Clarke will be commentating on the Live-Stream, so you can follow all the action from the comfort of your own home.
However, the link is currentl saying that coverage is not going to start until the block play-offs on Tuesday 22nd.
That seems a bit odd to me, so it could be worth trying it out at about 1430 today, Thursday, (remembering that Virginia is 5 hours behind the UK)
Follow on CROQUET SCORES - https://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/wcf-golf-croquet-world-championship/block-b
This link goes to Patricia's Block B, from where you can access all the other blocks too.
Good luck Patricia!
17 October 2024 - Robinson retains the AC Poulton Handicap Cup in some style
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Russell Robinson beat Chris Roberts in some style and ease this morning, to retain one of our oldest trophies, the AC Poulton Handicap Cup.
Robinson was near flawless in restricting Roberts to just three stokes with mature use of less than half of his 11.5 bisques allocation, which always looked like being too many for Roberts to defend.
Using two bisques to set-up a neat four-ball-break, Robison took his first ball round to the peg without putting a foot wrong, and then left Roberts with a 20 plus yard hit-in, which he got close but missed.
The investment of one more bisque to deftly set up a break for his second ball was another wise move and Robinson was unphased when he made his first error of the game, blobbing in hoop 2.
Excellent placement of his advanced pioneers kept Robinson from further mishap, save for a careless over-run at penult (hoop 11), by which time, with multiple bisques remaining, Robinson was home a dry.
He pegged-out a few strokes later for an emphatic 26-0 win which was thoroughly deserved.
President Frances Colman was on hand to present Robinson with the Poulton Cup (pictured), and he was further rewarded (for this and other performances) with a handicap reduction from 11 to 7 by Club Handicappers Colman & Roberts.
Congratulations Russell
10 October 2024 - Phyllis Court players end the Corfu AC Open with honours & trophies
​​​​Frances Colman was a semi-finalist in the Handicap Singles Main Event
​​​​Frances Colman & Chris Roberts WON the Handicap Doubles (photo left)
Patricia Mulcahy & Paul Franklin were 2nd in the Handicap Doubles (photo below right)
Rob Eagle picked-up the 2nd place prize in the 14-point consolation Singles (photos below left and centre)
Today, the main singles event final was won by Charles Harding (Bowdon) whilst the 14-points Consolation Singles ran to its conclusion with play well inti this last afternoon.
Chris Roberts picked up three wins in his last three games today to end on 72.7%, to finish with the second best record, and only just ahead of Charles Harding and Rob Eagle both on 71.4%.
Because Roberts and Harding were picking-up other prizes, it was Eagle's very good 5 wins from 7 games that earned him the presentation of the runners-up trophy at this evening's Gala Dinner at the Corfu Town Yacht Club.
At the end of a super time away, the 12 strong Phyllis Court contingent mostly fly home tomorrow, leaving only Maureen and Kevin Ward to enjoy an extra day in the sun.
09 October 2024 - Colman bows out at the semi-finals of the Corfu AC Open Handicap Singles main event
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Frances Colman, lost an exciting and very good natured semi-final of the Corfu AC Open, when Peter Wilson (Fylde), made a crucial hit-in right across the court and from that, went round to peg making half a dozen hoops along that way.
Colman had done well after burning a number of bisques (extra turns) early in the games and a couple pf excellent breaks established a commanding lead as time began to runout the experience Wilson.
He missed a number of long-hit-ins before hitting with the last in great display of patience and holding of nerve.
For Colman, this event has seen a return to the very best of her play and she should be pleased to be ending on a high.
In the consolation 14-poing event:
Rob Eagle had only lost once in six games and so was pitted against the undefeated leader of the event, Fiona Crompton (York), and he lead by some way going into the final phase of the game. A crucial unwise decision to leave his balls joined-up, was punished mercilessly by Crompton, who hit in well, established a break and rattled through six hop points to rob Eagle of the victory in the last turn of the game!
Chris Roberts is emerging as a contender (probably for second place given Crompton is seemingly invincible form)
Patricia Mulcahy's winning percentage has been pegged back and, despite playing lots of games, she is out of the running for a 'podium' finish.
The other PCC players mentioned below, are mostly participating in this event, but a someway off the winning pace of playing enough games to qualify for the final winning percentage analysis.
08 October 2024 - Colman is sole Phyllis Court survivor for the semi-finals of the Corfu AC Open Handicap Singles main event
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Day 4 of play in the main 26-point Singles event saw the end of the road for two more Phyllis Court players, but one still remains to fly our Club flag at the Corfu AC Open.
Frances Colman, who took had taken the longest route to the second round (of 16), revelled in the hard earned opportunity and defeated David Boyd (Guildford) by +2 this morning and then beat Carol Steinberg (Bowdon) by +3 in her quarter-final.
She is the only Phyllis Court player to reach the semi-finals and will face Peter Wilson (Fylde) tomorrow morning.
Rick Lilley lost his quarter-final this morning by just -4 to Sue Longcroft (York)
Helen Essa got even closer to victory in her quarter, and went down by a single point to Charles Harding (Bowden)
In the consolation 14-poing event:
Patricia Mulcahy is playing lots of games and winning most.
Rob Eagle has played less but, crucially, has a better wining percentage.
Chris Robbers is holding back a bit as the manager but starting to chalk up victories too.
The other PCC players mentioned below, are either struggling results wise or playing few (or no) games in this event
07 October 2024 - Phyllis Court trio still in the Corfu AC Open Handicap Singles main event
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After three days of Singles play there are three Phyllis Court players left in the main 26-point event at the Corfu AC Open.
Rick Lilley is through to tomorrow's (Wednesday) Quarter-Finals to face Sue Longcroft (York), having beaten Frances Colman (Phyllis Court) and John Crompton (York) in earlier rounds.
Helen Esssa (photo left) has also qualified, and will play Charles Harding (Bowdon, Cheshire), thanks to wins over Peter Allan (Blewbury) and Liz Wilson (Fylde).
Frances Colman, who came through the repêchage route after that first round defeat by Lilley and had to beat Liz Taylor-Webb (Bowdon) and Jon Diamond (Tunbridge Wells) to get back into the main event. She will play her Round of 16 game versus David Boyd (Guildford) tomorrow morning in a bid to join Lilley And Essa in the quarters.
- The other Phyllis Court players are all out of the main event:
Kevin Ward beat Chris Roberts (Phyllis Court) handsomely +26 in the first round but then lost -8 to Fiona Crompton (York) -8.
Paul Franklin beat Cas Sinclair (Bowdon) +6 but then lost to Carol, Steinberg (Bowdon) -3.
Patricia Mulcahy beat Liz Taylor-Webb (Bowdon) +1 but then lost to Charles Harding (Bowdon) -7.
Bob Eagle lost to David Boyd (Guildford) -8 and then lost his repêchage game to Charles Ostler (Pinchbeck, Norfolk) -10
Raghu Iyer lost to Peter Wilson (Fylde) -7 and then lost his repêchage game to Jonathan Toye (Downham, Norfolk) -9.
Chris Roberts lost heavily to Kevin Ward (Phyllis Court) -26 and then lost his repêchage game to Cas Sinclair (Bowdon) by a single point.
- All six are now contesting the 14-point consolation event.
03 October 2024 - Colman & Roberts win Corfu AC Open Handicap Doubles title
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Frances Colman and Chris Roberts won the Handicap Doubles event at the Corfu AC Open today.
The record will show they they were undefeated in their five rounds of play, but the detail is that four of their games were won by the narrowest of margins by a single hoop.
And three of those four were in the extra time period where the next hoop wins - the so called 'golden hoop' situation.
The pivotal result was actually in round three, when they faced fellow Phyllis Court club mates Patricia Mulcahy partners Paul Franklin who also went into the game undefeated.
Most of the filed elected to play the alternate strokes variant of doubles play, and the Mulcahy and Franklin combination led for the whole game and by three hoops as 'time' was called in their turn, meaning that Colman and Roberts had one last visit to the court, and crucially had their balls fairly close together.
Colman played a necessarily gentle stoke to roquet her team's partner ball into a scoring position in front of the hoop required by both balls, and Roberts capitalised by peeling the partner ball before Colman scored with the strikers ball for a double score.
The pair needed one more hoop to tie, and two to win, and did well to achieve the first objective at hoop eight and then had a good chance to win at hoop nine but not without a significant risk, so they chose to lay-up in a safe position back hoop eight which was needed by the partner ball.
This line of play gave Mulcahy a long shot to wrestle back the innings for her side, and when she missed Colman and Roberts scored the golden hoop decider.
The pair went on to win twice more on the second day of play to establish an unassailable lead at the end of round five which ended the event with a one-two for Phyllis Court with Mulcahy and Franklin wearing just that one loss as runners-up.
The final standings involving Phyllis Court players were:
Frances Colman & Chris Roberts - (5 wins) - winners
Patricia Mulcahy & Paul Franklin - (4 wins) - runners-up
Helen Essa & David Boyd (Guildford) - (3 wins) - 3rd=
Rob Eagle & Peter Allan (Blewbury) - (3 wins) - 5th
Raghu Iyer & Sue Longcroft (York) - (2 wins) - 6th=
Rick Lilley & Jonathan Toye (Downham) - (2 wins) - 6th=
Kevin Ward & Fiona Crompton (York) - (1 win) - 11th
Rob Eagle in aactio at the Cqouet Club of Corfu. Photo by Paul Franklin
3 October 2024 - Bob Clapp wins 10+ Evening Series
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Russell Robinson reports - After an earlier postponement due to waterlogged courts, the final of the 10+ Evening Series took place under lovely, sunny skies today, involving two of this season’s most promising beginners, Bob Clapp and Paul Wooldridge. The format was a single 19-point game. Wooldridge made the better start with a ricochet into the jaws at hoop one, and was in the jaws again at hoop two, but Clapp was able to clear and ultimately claim the hoop. At hoop 3, it was time for Clapp to put a ball in the jaws, which Wooldridge narrowly failed to jump over, but the latter was able to claw back to 2-2 at the next hoop. Both players were positioning very well throughout, but Clapp consistently had the edge and cleared and ran hoops more decisively than his opponent in a run of five consecutive hoops that took him out to a formidable 7-2 lead. Wooldridge then upped his game with some excellent approach shots which enabled him to cut the deficit to three at hoop 15, but with Wooldridge’s black only dribbling though and so being severely hampered, Clapp played an excellent yellow to six feet in front of the next hoop, which he calmly slotted on the next rotation to take the game 10-6. Very well done to both players for performances throughout the season’s competition which belie their inexperience in the sport and which show great promise for next season and beyond. - Congratulations Bob!
01 October 2024 - 11 Phyllis Court players are in Corfu
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11 Phyllis Court players are in Corfu for the Greek Open AC Championship which starts with the Doubles event today and tomorrow.
President Frances Colman partners Chris Roberts
Chairman Patricia Mulcahy partners Paul Franklin
Raghu Iyer will play with Sue Longcroft (York)
Kevin Ward will play with Fiona Crompton (York)
Rick Lilley will play with Jonathan Toye (Downham)
Helen Essa will play with David Boyd (Guildford)
Rob Eagle will play with Peter Allan (Blewbury)
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Joanna Iyer and Maureen Ward will play in the single day golf croquet event on Saturday and Rick Lilly's wife Jill Meredith is also in the Phyllis Court party.
29 September 2024 - ​​​​Four members are flying the Phyllis Court flag in NATIONAL FINALS this weekend - Day 2 report
Andy Jones continued with a short Day 2 at the rain threatened A-Level (0+) Series National Final at Sidmouth today.
He was already through to the Plate semi-finals having won his quarter last evening.
Today he beat Chester's Sarah Clements 10 - 6 to reach the Plate Final, where he put up a good fight against the vastly experienced Mike Bilton.
Jones wens down 5-7 2-7 to finish a creditable 10th overall.
There is a digest of results on Croquet Scores here - https://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/sodmouth-a-level-series-0-national-final/block-b
Rob Eagle, Michael Marcel & Pete Falle all had mixed second days at the C-Level (7+) Series National Final at Watford today.
The completion of the big 16-player 'all play all' block required another seven games to be played today, on the back of eight games yesterday - so it was quite a punishing schedule.
Marcel could not repeat his shine of yesterday and he lost his opener to Falle, which somewhat dented his chances of getting at least a share of the lead.
He still did well enough today to eventually finish with 9 wins from his 15 games, which as three behind winner John Lane (Dowlish Wake), and well placed in fifth overall.
Eagle and Falle both scored twice as amy wins as the two this they had each won on day 1, and so can draw some comfort from their tall of six apiece.
There is a digest of results on Croquet Scores here - https://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/england-c-level-7-series-national-final/all-play-all-block
28 September 2024 - ​​​​Four members are flying the Phyllis Court flag in NATIONAL FINALS this weekend - Day 1 report
Andy Jones is at the A-Level (0+) Series National Final at Sidmouth and he got off to a good start by winning his first block game, but that was his sole success before lunch.
He recovered with two more wins later onto give himself a chance of qualifying for tomorrows main event knock-out, with a last block match victory.
But that game was lost putting Jones in to the plate event, which was started early due to the threat of very heavy rain tomorrow.
Jones won his Plate quester final 7-3 against Tom Grieveson (Chester) and will face Sarah Clements (also Chester) tomorrow morning.
You can follow the results as they happen in ‘real time’ on Croquet Scores here - https://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/sodmouth-a-level-series-0-national-final/block-b
Rob Eagle, Michael Marcel & Pete Falle are all at the C-Level (7+) Series National Final at Watford, where competition Director, Chris Roberts was also the manager today.
The format is a challenging 16-players all play all 'block' with eight games today and seven tomorrow.
Marcel was cross with himself for losing his first game of the day, having been well on front, but he recovered really well to end the first day on 6 wins from 8 games, which puts him in joint second place being over-night leader David Artingstall (Bury).
Eagle and Falle both had tough days, winning 3 and 2 games respectively.
You can follow the results as they happen in ‘real time’ on Croquet Scores here - https://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/england-c-level-7-series-national-final/all-play-all-block​
24 September 2024 - Eagle beats Tonks in quality 10+ Singles Final
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Rob Eagle (left) beat Doug Tonks in a 10+ Singles Final this evening, that defied its high handicap title and was a credit to both players.
Decision making and advanced mallet skills that included the promotion of the partner ball to position, wiring (hiding in line with a hoop) and the deeming of stokes were all in evidence in a close contest that was good to watch.
Pre-match underdog Tonks was unfortunate to peel Eagle's ball through hoop 7 of the firts game having traded hoops with the favourite up until that point, and the inadvertent action allowed Eagle first approach to hoop 8 and establish a crucial two hoop lead, as springboard to a 7-3 win.
The second came mirrored the first with hoops traded evenly to 5-5 amid excellent play from both players.
Tonks was then unfortunate though, to only just run hoops 10 and 12, leaving himself hampered for the next hoop on both occasions and this was little short of disaster for his chances at hoop 13 especially.
Eagle placed his first approach well enough, if rather further out than ideal, and Tonks responded right alongside.
Eagle was then short with his second ball and only saved by Tonks' own second being forced wide due to the hampering.
A mature decision by Eagle to clear and maintain position, rather than risk the hoop shot, forced Tonks to shoot from an angle because he was out-numbered, and when he hit the upright, Eagle calmly took the game and match 7-6.​​​
Congratulations Rob
21 September 2024 - Lilley is our GC Club Champion
Rick Lilly became only the 10th name to be added to the GC Club Championship trophy on a day of drama on our Finals Day today.
The new Champ outplayed a below par four-time winner Chris Roberts and thoroughly deserved his win with repeated long and strong clearances featuring high in his quality play.
The first game turned on a fortuitous well played hampered stroke at hoop five, when Lilley hit his target ball wide of hoop six and deflected into the jaws of that hoop, which establish a two-hoop lead that Lilley was never to lose.
Roberts hung in but the 7-3 score line was as much as he deserved and, buoyed by this success, Lilley with tail up, raced to a 2-0 lead in game two and was soon in the jaws of hoop three op to boot.
Roberts then pulled-off an excellent bouncing jump shot to stay in the game at hoop three and the pair traded hoops thereafter to arrive at the deciding 13th.
Roberts missed a far from difficult clearance which shifted balance firmly in Lilley's favour and following Roberts' closely missed desperate full length of the court defensive shot to stay in the game, Lilley scored the winner in sure style from three yards to win 7-3, 7-6.
Congratulations Rick
Finals day was a big hit for Champ Lilley & five other winners​
Left: GC Champion Rick Lilley with President Frances Colman
Right: 3+ Singles winner Raghu Iyer with Tony Peperell
Left: 7+ Singles winner Helen Essa with David Young
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Right: 10+ Plate winner Graham Pattie with Pippa Wynne-Ellis
Below right: 10+Doubles finalists Eva Kompanik & Des Walsh with winners Liz Smith & Carol Wadsworth​
Left:
7+ Plate
winner
Pete Falle​
. . . and five other Club titles were decided on our successful 'Finals Day'
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​There were five other Competition Finals played today and the morning action saw three close contests.
The 3+ Singles Final provided the senior action and Raghu Iyer romped to a first game win 7-3 against Tony Peperell, but the latter improved to construct a commanding 4-6 lead in second game, before disastrously peeling Iyer though hoop 11, which altered the course of the game entirely.​
Having been gifted the hoop, Iyer took full advantage of his first approach to hoop 12, won that to tie at 6-6, and, scarlessly able to believe his luck, wrapped up the game and match wining hoop in some style for a 7-3, 7-6 victory.
Congratulations Raghu!
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The score line of the 7+ Singles Final was only one hoop different, but was achieved in more convectional fashion, with Helen Essa winning the first game straight forwardly 7-3 and than having to hold off a rally by David Young who ed a hoop trade right round to hoop ten.
here, Essa nailed a game changing six yard clearance to finally win tow hoops in a row, and when Young missed his target at hoop twelve, Essa pounced for the match winner, for victory 7-3, 7-5.
Congratulations Helen
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The morning 10+ Doubles Final eventually became the afternoon 10+ Doubles Final whn the first two game took over three hours.
Favourites Liz Smith and Carol Wadsworth won the first game 7-4 but were paced throughout the second game by Eva Kompanik and Des Walsh who defied their low seeding to win 6-7.
The decider took the match close to a fifth hour before Smith & Wadsworth wrapped it up at hoop eleven to win 7-4, 6-7, 7-4.
Congratulations Liz & Carol
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The days' action was completed this afternoon by two Plate finals.
In the 7+ Plate Final, Pete Falle was always in control over John Howie, who had perhaps used-up his best competitive play in squeezing past Steve Morton 6-7, 7-6, 7-6 in last night's semi. Falle won 7-4, 7-2.
in the 10+ Plate Final, the boot was on the other fool, when Graham Pattie, riding high on victory in his own late played semi, he maintained that good form to get past his challenging opponent Pippa Wynne-Ellis 7-4, 7-4.
Congratulations Pete
Congratulations Graham
19 September 2024 -
​​​​PCC 5 - 2 Meldreth
​Phyllis Court are the National Advantage Champions for the second year in a row, and for the third time in four years!
They beat Cambridgeshire side Meldreth 5-2 in the National Final of the GC Federations Shield at the neutral venue of Northampton CC today.
Convincing though that score line sounds, Meldreth put up a very good fight and lead the team match 0-1 in completed games at the the lunch break.
Phyllis Court's Andy Jones (handicap 2) could not catch Meldreth's number one player David Edwards, who enjoyed a -2 to zero starting score advantage over the Henley player who lost 5-7, 3-7.
The other morning singles also looked to be going Meldreth's way when Phyllis Court's Patricia Mulcahy (handicap 4) fell 2-7 in a quick time opener to Roger Wallbridge who also enjoyed starting score advantage.
However, Mulcahy has a wealth of big match experience to draw on, and she recovered superbly to win the second match of three 7-3.
​In the morning doubles match, Chris Roberts (-1) and Paul Franklin (7) also had to concede a hoop on handicap to their Meldreth opponents but unwound that advantage and more when Roberts ran a strong hoop one down to hoop two and won that as well!
We are National Advantage Champions!
Our team beat Meldreth in the GC Federations Shield final
The Phyllis Court pair cruised to a 7-4 first game victory but were pegged pack 5-7 in the second by tow wonder jump shots by Meldreth's Sue Bishop, and a careless own goal peel from Roberts.
The deciding game of the doubles match and Mulcahy's singles decider were put on hold so as not to delay the afternoon program of four head to head singles matches.
This meant that Phyllis Court had an uncomfortable lunch break in which to ponder the 0-1 score line and accept that they had a fight on their hands to retain their national title.
The break seemed to them good and both Franklin and and Jones scored straight games victories for Phyllis Court over Meldreth's Wallbridge and Sue Bishop 7-6, 7-4 and and 7-6, 7-6 respectively.
Mulcahy again lost her first game 5-7 to John Bishop but came back well for the second time in the day to with games two and three by the same scores, but Roberts had reversed fortunes after repeatedly hitting Edwards to the boundary to win his first game 7-3.
But defending a -2 to +2 starting score line was never going to be easy, and when Edwards settled into a very calm and accomplished second game performance, he was rewarded with a 5-7 win to set up their decider which was an excellent game.
Roberts slowly reeled in Edwards advantage to be level 5-5 going to a pivotal short hoop 11, where Roberts nailed his second ball clearance having noted that his first ball had settled in an old hop hole.
Edwards missed his clearance leaving Roberts a routine jump shot for the lead in what would have been the team match deciding game, but in the heat of the moment, the Phyllis Court player forgot about his ball being in the old hoop hole and his jump launched the ball high over the crossbar and with it went that hoop and, due to being woefully out of position so went that match, 7-3, 5-7, 5-7.
So, with Phyllis Court sitting on a 3-2 lead and four points needed for the team win, it was a return to the suspended morning third games in the doubles and Mulcahy's singles match with Wallbridge, with Phyllis Court needing to win one and Meldreth needing both.
Franklin and Roberts were fairly confident going into the doubles decider and played like it, winning the first four hops to unwind Sue and John Bishop's Advantage head start.
The never looked like losing and cruised to crushing 7-1 victory to settle that match and the overall team victory, following which they were able to join team mate Jones watching Mulcahy ice the Phyllis court cake with a 7-4 victory over Wallbridge.​
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Competition Director and England International player Lionel Tibble was thanked for hosting the day and for his refereeing duties before he complimented Meldreth on a spirited fight in defeat and Phyllis Court on another ground out victory earning the presentation of the GC Federations Shield for 2024.
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There is a digest of all the results on Croquet Scores here -
​PCC - Chris Roberts (-1), Andy Jones (2), Patricia Mulcahy (4), Paul Franklin (7)
Meldreth - David Edwards (4), Sue Bishop (4), John Bishop (4), Roger Wallbridge (5)
15 September 2024 - Mulcahy earns runner-up spot at the NATIONAL FINAL of the All England Handicap Competition
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- DAY 2 report: Patricia Mulcahy came agonisingly close to winning the National Final of the All England Handicap (Advantage) competition at Guildford & Godalming CC today.
She ended up just one game victory short of the winner's (Sandra Guildford of Woking CC) tally of nine (out of 13).
An analysis of hoop scores separated Mulcahy from two other players tied on 8 games wins and gave the Phyllis Court Chairman second place on hoops percentage.
Kevin Ward had a better Day 2 and took his winning tally to 7 game wins to finish in a creditable equal fifth.
Croquet Scores has the results detail here - https://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/all-england-adv-final-at-ggcc/block
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15 September 2024 - Colman & Roberts win the AC Handicap Doubles trophies
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Frances Colman and Chris Roberts won the final of the AC Handicap Doubles today, defeating the very game Helen Essa and R0b Eagle this morning.
Essa and Eagle rain through a good number (perhaps too many) of their 13 bisques on their way to a good lead on the two hours mark before Roberts and Colman got the decisive break that eventually won them the game 22-13 on time.
AC manager Paul Franklin was back from his holiday to present Roberts & Colman with the lovely Greenbury Bowl trophies.
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14 September 2024 - Clapp and Wooldridge to meet in all-beginner final of the 10+ Evening Series
Russell Robinson reports: Several of this year’s 45 new members that we have welcomed to the croquet club are showing real promise and two of those, Bob Clapp and Graham Pattie, were pitting their skills today against the more experienced Sue Rumford and John Howie in the second semi-final of the 10+ Evening Series.
Both novices set the tone for the afternoon with Pattie defeating Rumford in the first game 7-4, while Clapp and Howie played out some very keenly contested hoops to be only 3-3 after 45 minutes, before Clapp moved into another gear to secure a 7-3 win. Clapp then defeated Rumford in a much faster-paced game by the same margin, while Pattie and Howie had a titanic battle culminating in the advantage swinging both ways at the 13th hoop before Pattie finally prevailed. That set up a decider between the two newcomers for a place in the final and Clapp set the early pace.
Pattie then launched a spirited comeback and seemed well placed to level the game at 5-5, when Clapp ran a slightly fortuitous hoop from long distance, from which position he was able to close out the game at 7-5, to set up an all-beginner final showdown against Paul Wooldridge at a date to be arranged.
​Wooldridge, who had completed his training only in July this year, had come through a very closely contested semi-final group on 30th August, comprising himself, Liz Smith, Sally Batty and Martin Cranstoun. All four players won one of their first two games, all bar one of which had been won 7-6 or 7-5, so any of the four could still prevail going into the last pair of games, which were equally close affairs. Wooldridge defeated Cranstoun 7-6 and Smith got the better of Batty 7-5.
With Wooldridge and Smith both on two wins, the tie was resolved in Wooldridge’s favour by virtue of having defeated Smith 7-6 in their head-to-head game.
14 September 2024 - Mulcahy & Ward play in the NATIONAL FINAL of the All England Handicap this weekend
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Patricia Mulcahy & Kevin Ward fly the Phyllis Court flag today and tomorrow in the National Final of the All England Handicap (Advantage) competition at Guildford & Godalming CC.
They qualified from Area Finals at Phyllis Court and Surbiton respectively to line-up in a filed of 14 players for an 'all play all' format of 13 games over the weekend.
You can follow Patricia & Kevin's progress on Croquet Scores here - https://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/all-england-adv-final-at-ggcc/block
- DAY 1 report: Patricia has won 5 out of 7 games and shares the lead with four others (two of who she is yet to play), and Kevin if far from out of it on 3 wins.
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11 September 2024 - Cowley & Roberts win the Restricted Doubles tournament & Cowley her first silverware!
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Hilary Cowley won her first croquet silverware today, partnering Chris Roberts to success in the Restricted Doubles tournament (for partnerships with a combined handicap of 10+).
The pair were undefeated in their six games and saw off several challenging opponents, most notably Patricia Mulcahy and Dee McKibbin who took them to the 13th hoop.
At the end of a rain interrupted day, the last round of the 'all play all' block was left unplaced, save for the 'de facto' final between the only two pairs that could affect the tournament's first and second tournament.
Cowley & Roberts opposition in that last game were Roger Goldring and Carol Huntington who had lost just once going in to that last game and had amassed a superior 'net hoops' tally over everyone else.
Therefore, victory by any score would tie them with Cowley and Roberts and win them the tournament on those net hoops.
The scene was set but when Roberts ran hoop one strongly down to hoop two to win that on the next rotation, it game his side a lead that they were never to lose.
The two middle hoops were won thanks to deft ball placement by Cowley and the finishing line was in sight with a 5-1 lead, and that was converted four hops later when Cowley ran hop ten for a 7-3 victory.
Goldring and Huntington were confirmed in second place because their 4 wins and +11 net hoops tally couldn't be overhauled by Pete Fall and Ramsay Adams (who far exceeded their bottom seeding) if that pair had won an un-played last round game.
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- President and tournament manager/referee Frances Colman presented the Hilda Dobson Cups to runners-up Goldring and Huntington, and the Cave & Wolff Salvers to winners Cowley & Roberts.
08 September 2024 - PCC 'A' earn good 'victory' in unfinished last game of the league season
PCC'A' 4 -1 Winchester 'A' (incomplete match)
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The last fixture of the season for PCC 'A' had something of an 'after the Lord Mayor's Show about it, because East Dorset had already wrapped-up the SCF Open League title a few weeks ago.
Nevertheless, there was pride and crowing rights at stake and Pcc 'A; gor off to a good start with Chris Roberts, Rick Lilley and Andy Jones all winning their opening games and Roger Goldring just pipped in his first game.
Lilley and Jones went on to win their 'best of three games' matches 7-3, 7-3 and 7-6, 7-0 against Winchesters Jan Johnston and Ron Monger respectively.
However, Roberts allowed the visitors Roger Barnacle to draw level 7-5, 5-7 (in a match that was then paused) and Goldring lost his match against Winchester's number one Ian Harrison 5-7, 4-7, making the half-time score 2-1 in completed matches to Phyllis Court.
In the afternoon session, Jones made short work of Johnston 7-4, 7-2, and after letting the first game slip, Lilley was equally dominant against Monger 6-7, 7-3, 7-2, so a draw at least in the team match was secured for PCC 'A'.
In the top half of the fixture, Roberts and Goldring won their first games but were then checked in their seconds, and in the former's case to two fortuitous in-offs at hoops 11 and 13.
Roberts and Goldring tied with Harrison and Barnacle 7-4, 6-7 and 7-6, 4-7 respectively, at which point an 'inconclusive result' was agreed due to our splendid groundsman Stefan needing to apply some much needed chemical treatment (for outbreaks of fusarium and dollar spot lawn disease that had become apparent on our courts in the last week or so).
PCC 'A' - Chris Roberts (-1), Roger Goldring (1), Rick Lilley (1), Andy Jones (2).
08 September 2024 - Date for the SCF Advantage Final is agreed - PCC 'D' v Ryde - Monday 23 September, at Phyllis Court
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The date for the final was finally agreed with Ryde today and a good match is in prospect.
Due to the logistics of travel for our Isle of Wight visitors, the match will start later than usual at 1100 and be staged with two rounds of games either side of lunch.
Please make a note of this date, to come along an support our team!
08 September 2024 - Shock win as Lilley beats von Schmieder to reach his first PCC Championship Final
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Rick Lilley scored a well deserved semi-final victory over nine-time Phyllis Court Champion Charlie von Schmieder to reach his first Open Singles competition final this afternoon.
It was a day full of incident dominated by a bout of torrential rain which halted the 'best of three games' match with only six hoops run, but crucially with Lilley 5-1 ahead.
Standing water soon took hold and a blocked drain in the car park right beside Court 2 corner 4 caused all the water gathered on the hard surface to flow onto the Court and case a large lake that filled the court to include hoop 4.
Play was abandoned in the double-banking 7+ Singles semi-final match between Carol Wadsworth and Helen Essa, whilst Lilley and von Schmieder eventually headed for the bar and then home respectively, with no more than a glimmer of hope that play might be able to resume much later this afternoon.
Tireless work by Von Schmieder with the courts dew brush and Chris Roberts with the fabulous Bowdry water removal machine gave the court a fighting chance and glorious sunshine in the early afternoon helped no end.
Play resumed in the Lilley v von Schmieder match at 1500 and Lilley duly pressed home is interim 5-1 lead to win the first game 7-4.
von Schmieder came back well to win the second game 7-5 and things lok ominous for Lilley when he missed easy hoop scores at 5 & 6 in the deciding game, but he weathered that mid-game blip to match von Schmieder to 4-4, before winning the crucial ninth hoop after a good tussle.
Hoop 10 followed quickly for Lilley, who's confidence was, by now, sky high and he followed that with the shot of the match sending his opponents balls one on to the other for an excellent strong and mid-range clearence.
von Schmieder had too much to do there after and Lilley stayed cool to close the game out 7-4 for the match and a ticket to the final.
Lilley will play the winner of the other semi between Chris Roberts and Robin Coates, which is being played on this coming Friday (13th).
06 September 2024 - Rob Eagle wins 6-9 Evening Series
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Russell Robinson reports - The final event of the 6-9 Evening Series was played out tonight. To keep alive her hopes of lifting the trophy, Aly Warren needed to win all three games, including against hot favourite, Rob Eagle. While she managed to beat Eagle 7-6, she came unstuck against Dee McKibbin, which handed the title to Eagle, who finished level with John Rumford on 11 wins from 14 games, but was awarded first place by virtue of having won their head-to-head match last month. Warren finished third and Michael Marcel fourth.
More details are at https://www.phylliscourtcroquet.com/10plus-evening-series.
Congratulations, Rob!
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Rob Eagle receiving the 6-9 Evening Series trophy from the competition manager, Russell Robinson. Photo by Helen Essa.
04 September 2024 - Smith wins AC Summer junior tournament Zia Sterling Cup
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Jeff Smith won the delayed final and deciding game in his match versus Helen Essa to win our AC Summer tournament junior event this evening.
​Essa beat Smith 10-7 in their first 14-point game of a 'best of three' match but Smith had bounced back to win the second game 11-7 before a need to apply an emergency chemical treatment to the courts at 4pm, forced a postponement of the third game.
This evening Smith was first to score but Essa was quick to follow and the level pegging score-line was a feature of the firts half of the match.
Essa got the first truly decisive break and only Smith's repeated medium and long range hit-ins allowed him to mount a stern reply, such that the players had almost identical scores with 30 minutes to go.
Smith eventually made the centre hoops separately and, with on clip on the peg ant the other at hoop 6 (rover), the game was his to lose, and all the more so when he made that last hoop and pegged-out one ball.
Bur Essa Was not done just yet, hit in and made three more hoops under tremendous pressure from Smith.
Essa got to needing just two breaks to win before Smith made another long hit-in with his remaining ball, took off to the peg and finished, to win 14-9.
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Chairman Patricia Mulcahy presented Jeff Smith with the Zia Sterling Cup.
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Croquet Club President Frances Colman presents the Connell Cup to
Bridge captain Dave Young (photo by Patricia Mulcahy)
02 September 2024
Croquet Club rally in afternoon croquet not enough to counter thumping in morning Bridge session
Bridge Club beat Croquet Club in annual match
Once the morning difficulties with the bridge scoring system were by-passed and play got underway, the Croquet Club were really under the cosh in the morning bridge session.
The Croquet Club lost that session by 20% to 80% leaving an all but insurmountable hill to climb in the afternoon croquet session.
And it got worse before it got better when the Bridge Club had actually extended their lead after two of the six rounds had been played.
Croquet struck back well in the third round to close the gap considerably, before halving the fourth round and leaving themselves a good challenge to win their own discipline in the final two rounds.
Five wins from the six gams in the fifth round finally established a good lead which Croquet extended in the final round to win the afternoon 20 - 16 on games and 112 - 103 on hoops, but this victory margin was nothing like the Bridge Club's dominance in the morning bridge session, and they won the combined match as a result.
Croquet Club President Frances Colman presented the Connell Cup to Bridge captain Dave Young.
The Croquet team's 'most valuable pair' were Ian & Delia Norris with 5 croquet wins, just ahead of Croquet's Rob Eagle & Helen Essa and Bridge's David Young & Mike Sayer on 4 wins each.
29 August 2024 - Phyllis Court lose hold of National Secretary's Shield with loss at Peterborough
​Peterborough 6 - 1 Phyllis Court
National Holders of Croquet England's Secretary's Shield, Phyllis Court were beaten 1-6 in their semi-final by hosts Peterborough today.
Patricia Mulcahy (AC handicap 11) got the team off to a good start, using her bisques (extra turns) to good effect to win +19 over Home captain Adrian Kirby (handicap 0).
But that was as good as it got and, despite four close contests, the Henley side came up short in all the remaining games.
Reigning Woman's World Champions Debbie Lines (-2) controlled the morning doubles game, marshalling her alternat stroke partnership with novice Justin Beaumont (20) to a +17 victory over Phyllis Court's Chris Roberts (-0.5) and Roger Goldring (14).
In the other morning game Phyllis Court's Raghu Iyer (8) was just overhauled by Stephen Cornelius (6) by -5 in timed-out game.
Iyer was the first to finish of the four afternoon head-to-head games when Kirby found his A-Class game to win +13, leaving Phyllis Court needing to win all three of the remaining games, and they made a good fist of all three before losing on time by small margins.
Roberts, Mulcahy and Goldring lost to Lines, Cornelius and Beaumont by -6, -5 and -3 respectively.
Team: Chris Roberts (AC -0.5), Raghu Iyer (8), Patricia Mulcahy (11) Roger Goldring (14)
A digest of results will appear here Croquet Scores shortly -
29 August 2024 - Broom & Marcel win 3+ Doubles - the first season-long competition final of 2024​
Alastair Broom & Michael Marcel beat Jeff Smith & Dee Mckibbin in an early playing of the 3+Doubles Final this morning.
They won 7-4, 7-6 with the highlight stokes apparently coming from Smith on the vanquished side, when he ran hoops from the other end of the court 4 times!
Winners Broom & Marcel win the Smith & McKibbin win the Eades Cups, and runners-up Smith & McKibbin win the Chris Read & Anne Attfield Cups.
Congratulations all!
26 August 2024 - Evening Series updates
Russell Robinson reports:​​
The 10+ Evening Series has now completed its qualifying phase, with 61 members having played, some more than others, on 19 evenings from mid-May through to the last one yesterday. By winning all three of their games on two or more occasions, eight members have qualified for the semi-finals, which will be played as two blocks of four on August 30th and September 14th, with the winners of each block contesting the Final for the coveted trophy. The semi-finalists are Martin Cranstoun, Sally Batty, Liz Smith, Paul Wooldridge, Bob Clapp, Sue Rumford, Graham Pattie and John Howie, so congratulations to all of them. It’s great to see three of this year’s beginners in this number. More details are at https://www.phylliscourtcroquet.com/10plus-evening-series.
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Meanwhile, the 6-9 Evening Series is reaching its climax. This has been contested by 15 members, with the logistically challenging target of all playing all once. Rob Eagle stormed into early domination winning his first nine games, but last time out, he was pegged back by Michael Marcel and Helen Essa, and he still has to play Aly Warren and Steve Morton, both of whom, along with John Rumford, could still pip Rob to the title. More details are at https://www.phylliscourtcroquet.com/6-9-evening-series.
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25 August 2024 - Phyllis Court 'Team B' lose narrowly in the Federations Shield (Advantage) ​
Meldreth 4 - 3 Phyllis Court 'Team B''
Phyllis Court 'Team B' were pipped 3-4 by Cambridgeshire side Meldreth on Sunday at Wrest Park, near Bedford, to deny Phyllis Court the unique achievement of getting two teams into a National team final.
Like 'Team A' three days previously, Team B also got off to a good start when captain Raghu Iyer (handicap 4) and Hugh Crook (7) won the morning doubles runner in straight games against John Bishop (4) and Sue Bishop (5) 7-5, 7-4, but Meldreth won the opening salvos of the two singles rubbers as a foretaste of the close match to unfold.
Phyllis Court’s Rob Eagle (5) and Helen Essa (6) levelled those matches with game two victories against David Edwards (4) and Roger Wallbridge (5), but the Meldreth men came back to win the deciders for 4-7, 7-3, 5-7 and 3-7, 7-3, 7-6 match wins respectively.
At 1-2 down at lunch, all was to play for in the four afternoon singes rubbers and when Iyer beat John Bishop 7-4, 7-5 and Crook beat Wallbridge 7-5, 7-4, thinks really looked up for Phyllis Court team B.
In the two remaining singles matches, Essa was game up versus Sue Bishop and Eagle was down versus Edawards, before both matches were brough level in the second games.
Meldreth, who had shown good ball placement and especially jumping skills, brought those to the fore in the two deciders and Phyllis Court’s Eagle & Essa lost 5-7, 7-6, 3-7 and 7-5, 4-7, 4-7.
Team - Raghu Iyer (4), Rob Eagle (5), Helen Essa (6), Hugh Crook (7)
You can follow the team's progress in (as close to real time as we can manage) on Croquet Scored here -
22 August 2024 - Can our 'Team B' make it an 'All Phyllis Court' National Final by winning against Meldreth on Sunday? Follow on Croquet Scores on Sunday
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The second of our double-header of National Federations Shield (Advantage) semi-finals takes place on Sunday.
PCC 'Team B' are away to South Cambridgeshire side Meldreth in a match being played at Wrest Park CC, near Bedford - Good Lock team!
Team - Raghu Iyer (4), Rob Eagle (5), Helen Essa (6), Hugh Crook (7)
You can follow the team's progress in (as close to real time as we can manage) on Croquet Scored here -
PCC's Federations Shield 'Team A' , winners at West Worthing today.
L-R: Kevin Ward, Andy Jones, Patricia Mulcahy, Chris Roberts (and the injured) Paul Franklin.
(photo by Andy Woon)
22 August 2024 -
Phyllis Court 'Team A' reach the Federations Shield (Advantage) NATIONAL FINAL ​
West Worthing 2 - 5 Phyllis Court 'Team A''
National holders Phyllis Court 'Team A' won this semi-final fairly comfortably on a windswept and rainy day on the Sussex coast today.​
Enforced to make one personnel change due to Paul Franklin's frustrating shoulder injury, the Phyllis Court team welcomed in Kevin Ward (handicap 5) to the number four berth for this fixture.
Ward took some time to settle in a new partnership for the opening doubles rubber with Chris Roberts (-2) and the pair both struggled to find their length on West Worthing's relatively slow (but level) courts.
They were beaten all ends up in their first game 1-7, by West Worthing's Andy Woon (4) and Stella Russell (4), but came back well to record 7-4, 7-5 victories in the second and third games to take the doubles rubber 2-1.
Before the end of their second game, Andy Jones (2) had made restively short work of the host's Andrew Stewart (2), 7-4, 7-5, in a level-play contest giving Phyllis Court an early lead in the team match, and the other morning singles match was also a level play encounter between West Worthing's captain Charlie Preston (5) and Phyllis Court's Patricia Mulcahy (5).
This one went to a third game after Preston came back from a first game defeat to win the second, with the match eventually won by Mulcahy, 7-5, 6-7, 7-5, giving Phyllis Court a welcome, but perhaps flattering 3-0 half time lead, given the closeness of the morning's croquet.
West Worthing provided a lovey home made lunch (thank you Mrs Preston) before the players braved the wind and rain of the afternoon, with Phyllis Court needing a win in just one of the remaining four rubbers for victory in the team match, and it came along in just over the hour when Mulcahy (5) beat Russell (4) in quick-time 7-3, 7-0.
Roberts (-2) had really found his shooting accuracy by then and repeatedly hit Stewart (2) from range to overhaul a -2 : 1 starting score, and win 7-3, 7-5, but West Worthing were not to be completely out-done and the impressively accurate Woon (4) beat Phyllis Court's Jones (2) 6-7, 2-7, and Preston (5) beat Ward (5) 6-7, 5-7.
A digest if the results is here on Croquet Scored here -
​​Team - Chris Roberts (-2), Andy Jones (2), Patricia Mulcahy (5), Kevin Ward (5)
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​*******
Can our 'Team B' make it an 'All Phyllis Court' National Final by winning against Meldreth on Sunday? - See the next news item above.
*******
21 August 2024 - Mulcahy wins our AC Summer tournament Caversham Plate
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Phyllis Court Croquet Club Chairman Patricia Mulcahy won our AC Summer Handicap Tournament today and was presented with the lovely Caversham Plate by our President Frances Colman.
Mulcahy opened her account with an 18-0 defeat of Chris Roberts who was restricted to just four strokes as Mulcahy used her bisques to great effect, and furth wins came at the expense of Colman and Raghu Iyer.
Only holder Roger Goldring could dent Mulcahy's winning streak and when he faces Colman in their last round game, a win for last year's winner would be enough to give him the tournament win over Mulcahy on the 'who beat whom' tie-break.
However, despite a good break of six hoops, Goldring couldn't claw back Colman's lead.
So, Mulcahy finished in front on 3 wins from the rat of the small field on 2 or 1.
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In the junior event, for the Zia Sterling Cup, Helen Esaa beat jeff smith 10-7 in their first game in a best of three, but Smith bounced back to win the second game 11-7.
With groundsman Steffan wanting to apply a chemical treatment to the courts at 4pm, theer was no time for their decider games which will be played on a later date.
18 August 2024 - Jones helps Oxfordshire win promotion to the County Championship Division 1
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Phyllis Court's Andy Jones helped Oxfordshire in a successful County Championship Division 2 campaign this weekend, that ended with the 'dark blues' winning promotion to the top tier for next season.
Oxfordshire lost only one team match and that was a narrow 3-4 reverse to the new Lincolnshire 'super-team' of four young England International players, who beat everyone except Oxfordshire by the maximum 7-0.
Playing as a mixture of singles and doubles over two days at Cheltenham, the Oxfordshire team also featured former Phyllis Court member Raouf Allim (now at High Wycombe), Scotland International Stephen Wright and former Women's World Champion Jenny Clarke from New Zealand.
Well done Andy Jones and Oxfordshire!
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18 August 2024 - Roberts & Colman and Mulcahy & Franklin are 2nd & 3rd in the Doubles at Budleigh's AC tournament
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Phyllis Court had a strong presence at Budleigh Salterton's Summer week-long tournament which finished today.
The best success was Chris Roberts and Frances Colman's runner-up position in the Handicap Doubles on the opening day, when the par won four games (including a semi final against clubmates Patricia Mulcahy and Paul Franklin) before losing to world Top 20 player Duncan Reeve and his higher handicapped partner in the final.
Mulcahy & Franklin beat two minus players 26-0 in the 3rd/4th play-off.
In the Handicap Singles, Roberts won all four of his games on the first day of that event, but went from hero to zero on day two when he lost all four.
Mulcahy did best of our quartet with 5 wins from her 8 games (62%), Colman and Roberts were both just one win behind (50%) and poor Paul Franklin had to withdraw with a recurrence of his shoulder injury.
In the Class event that ended the week, Roberts was delighted to win 4 from 9 and take some notable scalps in the A-Class, while Colman's win over Mulcahy with six hoops in her last turn after time to win by 1 hoop, was the pair's closest contect in a tough C Class where they were both out gunned by much lower handicapped players.
16 August 2024 - PCC 'D' thrash Winchester 'B' to win the SCF Central Division title - PCC 'D' 13 - 3 Winchester 'B'
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PCC 'D' got off to a flyer in this last scheduled Advantage League Central Division match, with Andy Jones (2), Michael Marcel (6), Rob Eagle (5), Helen Essa (6) winning all four first round games.
Round two was much the same, with only Jones suffering a loss, to put PCC 7-1 up at the half way stage.
There was more misery for Winchester with another clean sweep on round three before the visitors recovered some dignity by halving the the last rounf 2-2, with losses incurred by Jones and Essa.
But with Captain Rob Eagle and debutant Michael Marcel both sporting unblemished 4/4 records, the final team score of 13-3 was not only Phyllis Court's largest ever wining margin in a league match, it also secured PCC 'D' the Central Division title and a play-off place against the other two divisional winners
​PCC 'D' - Andy Jones (2), Michael Marcel (6), Rob Eagle (5), Helen Essa (6)
- Congratulations PCC 'D'
15 August 2024 - AC C-League team miss out on title - ​PCC 1-1 High Wycombe
Paul Franklin reports:
With the three matches played so far this season resulting in wins versus Blewbury and Hamptworth and a draw against East Dorset, this remaining home match was pivotal for the league title.
We needed to win in order to tie with East Dorset on match wins and the tie break would have come down to scaled net hoops.
However, High Wycombe's' Robin Morrison hadn't read our script and his defeat of Raghu Iyer did for our title hopes, althogh Kevin Ward's win for Phyllis Court, did at least preserve our team's unbeaten record with the 1-1 draw.
We may well come second overall in the league depending on the results of the remaining matches
PCC - Raghu Iyer (AC 8), Kevin Ward (AC 11)
11 August 2024 - Iyer's fourth place is best of PCC sextet in our B-Level Series 'Smokey's Cup' tournament
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Raghu Iyer finished with a 'podium' fourth place in a very tight Cup block contested at co-hosts' Blewbury today's ground today.
He won 4 of his 7 games to be just one victory behind the winner, Adam Newbould (Bromley) and runner-up Sarah Clements (Chester).
Alastair Broom also won 4 games to finished in fifth place behind Iyer on net hoops.
Patricia Mulcahy scored 3 game wins and was sixth.
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The plate event at Phyllis Court was also a close run affair, with Phyllis Court's Kevin Ward falling just short in his last game to tie with outright winner Jane Powel (Ealing).
Helen Essa won three games to easily outplay her seeding and it could have been so different for Rob Eagle had he converted some of his four 6-7 losses.​
See all the results as the come in here - https://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/england-b-level-3-series-at-phyllis-court-blewbury/phyllis-court-block
10 August 2024 - Iyer, Broom & Mulcahy all make the 'cut' to play for the Cup in our National B-Level Series tournament​
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Raghu Iyer, Alastair Broom and Patricia Mulcahy all finished in the top four of their blocks to qualify for the 'Cup' event of out National B-Level (3+) Series tournament co-hosted with Blewbury CC.
Iyer and Broom were winner and runner-up of the Phyllis Court located block and Mulcahy finished third at the Blewbury based block.
They will all be at Blewbury tomorrow trying to win 'Smokey's Cup' and to qualify for the National B-Level Final next month.
Congratulations to them all and good luck for tomorrow
​​
Helen Essa was only one win away from joining the 'Cup' qualifiers, having put in a truly spirited performance to record three wins from bottom seed.
She will play at Phyllis Court tomorrow in the consolation Plate event, along with Kevin Ward and Rob Eagle.
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​On Sunday from 0930:
At Phyllis Court (contesting the Plate) - Helen Essa, Kevin Ward & Rob Eagle
At Blewbury (contesting the Cup) - Raghu Iyer, Alastair Broom & Patricia Mulcahy
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See all the results as the come in here - https://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/england-b-level-3-series-at-phyllis-court-blewbury/phyllis-court-block
09 August 2024 - Please come to support 6 PCC players in tournament action this weekend
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This weekend we have SIX PCC players contesting our National B-Level (3+) Series tournament co-hosted with Blewbury CC.
'Smokey's Cup' remembers our former President R.S. 'Smokey' Eades, who died in 2021 at the age of 102.
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Please come along and support your clubmates this weekend -
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On Saturday from 0930:
At Phyllis Court - Raghu Iyer, Alastair Broom & Rob Eagle
At Blewbury - Kevin Ward, Patricia Mulcahy & Helen Essa
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On Sunday from 0930:
At Phyllis Court - The bottom 4 from each venue will contest the Plate
At Blewbury - The top 4 from each venue will contest the Cup
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See all the results as the come in here - https://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/england-b-level-3-series-at-phyllis-court-blewbury/phyllis-court-block
7 Augusty 2024 - The Fensomes win our Open Doubes Tournament
This has been a week for ‘come backs’ and at the Phyllis Court Open tournament, fortunes did not look good for Helena and Mike Fensome when they lost their opening game 3-7 to top seeds Chris Roberts and Frances Colman.
The Fensomes then chalked up four wins in row to get right back into contention in the 'all play all' block of eight pairs.
Challenging the Fensomes going into the penultimate round were Roger Goldring and Rick Lilley who had also only lost once, to the Fensomes themselves, so both pairs were tasked to win their last two games and hope that they had the better net hoops tie-break score.
The Roberts/Colman duo and the Ian and Delia Norris partnership were one win behind should either faulter, but the sixth round proved to be a disaster for three of the leaders who all lost unexpectedly with the Norris’ defeat of Goldring and Lilley the most damaging.
This tied the Fensomes and Norrises and, when they both won, manager Roberts had some hurried net hoop calculations to make, and these gave the tournament victory to the Fensomes by +12 to +10.
The Fensomes were presented with the Iain Lindasy cups at a later date by croquet club President Frances Colman
​​Finishing order:
(1) Henena & Mike Fensome, (2) Ian & Delia Norris, (3) Chris Roberts & Frances Colman,
(4) Roger Goldring & Rick Lilley, (5) Robin Coates & Dianne Browne, (6) Patricia Mulcahy & Paul Franklin,
(7) Terje Johansen & Raghu Iyer, (8) Alastair Broom & Rob Eagle.
29 July 2024 - Ward joins Mulcahy in qualifying for the All England Handicap National Final
Kevin Ward qualified fairly comfortably from the Area Final South-East. Managed by Chris Roberts, at Surbiton today.
He lost his first game on Surbiton's 'lighting fast' courts about was undefeated thereafter.
Hugh Crook also played in this Area Final but losing his opening two games was too big a hill to climb despite playing well and looking good.
04 August 2024 - Women's European Championship (Day 4) - Patricia Mulcahy finishes on a high, in 15th from starting seed 30.
- Frances Colman referees the Final and presents the prizes on behalf of the World Croquet Federation -
Patricia Mulcahy was joined by Phyllis Court Referees Frances Colman and Chris Roberts for the Championships final day at Compton CC (Eastbourne).
Colman had been appointed to referee the main event final in the afternoon and to present the prizes on behalf of the World Croquet Federation.
Mulcahy had one last match today against the top tournament experienced Glynis Davies of Northampton to be decided over a single 19-point game and Mulcahy dominated the encounter from the start.
She won the first two hoops and extended that Advantage to lead 6-2 and then commandingly 8-4 before closing out the game decisively 10-4.
This game Mulcahy a hugely creditable finishing position of 15th from a starting seed 30 - congratulations Patricia!
Colman took charge of the afternoon Championship Final between Louise Smith of Budleigh Salterton and Maria Taylor of Spain who had not lost a single game all tournament.
Smith was in the first game and came from behind for a chance of the lead at hoop 11, but when that fell by the wayside so did her spirits and Taylor, who's excellent hoop running and strong clearances in particular just got better and better, bringing her victory 7-5, 5-4.
On behalf of the World Croquet Federation, Colman presented the main prize to the delighted Taylor and medals to the placed players.
See a digest of all the results on Croquet Scores here: https://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/erc-european-womens-tournament/block-c
03 August 2024 - Women's European Championship (Day 3) - Mulcahy loses narrowly to 2nd seed Smith
Patricia Mulcahy was "thrilled to bits" to have pushed second seed Louise Smith in two very close games in this mornings first round of the main knock-out.
Despite well out-performing her own seeding to have made the qualification cut yesterday, Mulcahy was very competitive this morning and was only a failed jump at hoop 13 away in her first game from beating the experience Smith.
And she kept the pressure on Smith in their second game too, before going down 6-7, 5-7.
She dropped into the Bowl event (for positions 9-16) and llost a close match with Scotland full International Rosemary Sunders-Robertson 6-7, 7-4, 4-7.
Mulcahy was then disappointed to have to play another match late in the evening and lost a single 19-point game 4-10 to Bridget Goodman of Ealing in what she described as her worst performance of the tournament.
One last match remains for Mulcahy tomorrow.
Follow Patricia's endeavours on Croquet Scores here: https://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/erc-european-womens-tournament/block-c
02 August 2024 - PCC 'A' hold star-studied League Champions East Dorset to a creditable draw
PCC 'A' 4 - 4 East Dorset 'A'
On blisteringly hot day today, PCC 'A' matched an East Dorset team boasting three England internationals and sitting as League Champions 'elect'.
In the morning only Chris Roberts, himself a Wales international, could manage a match win and he needed a jump shot at hoop 13 of his deciding game of three against Southern Federation Champion Steve Leonard to do it, winning 7-5, 2-7, 7-6
Phyllis Court's Ian Norris lost 2-7, 5-7 to East Dorset's top player Jeff Dawson, Roger Goldring went down in three games to Mark Hamann 6-7, 7-6, 5-7, and Andy Jones did really well when out-classed massively on paper to tie with England international Jonathan Powe 3-7, 7-5.
The deciding game of that rubber was postponed going to the afternoon session of 'head to head' matches with East Dorset leading the team match 1-2 in completed rubbers.
In another against the form book match-up, Norris narrowly got the better of Leonard 7-6, 7-5 to level the team match as all the other rubbers went to deciding third games.
Goldring eventually fell to Powe 6-7, 7-4, 5-7, Jones did very well to come from behind to beat Hamann 5-7, 7-6, 7-5, and in the match of the number ones, Roberts came back from near dead at 2-5 and 3-6 down in his second game with Dawson to win 7-6 having lost his first game 6-7.
Roberts and Dawson abandoned their deciding game and likewise the morning's postponed Jones/Powe decider was not returned to, because of the late hour and distance home for the visitors, and by that stage they had mathematically secured the league title, and agreeing to half the unfinished rubbers for a match draw would not effect that.
But this was a very good team performance by PCC' 'A' against the stiffest opposition ever fielded in the League.
PCC 'A' have one league match remaining versus Winchester on a date to be decided later this moth or early next.
PCC 'A' - Chris Roberts (-2), Ian Norris (-1), Roger Goldring (1), Andy Jones (2)
02 August 2024 - Women's European Championship (Day 2) - Mulcahy qualifies for main knock-out!
Patricia Mulcahy was both stunned and delighted to qualify for the main knock-out of the Championship today at Compton CC (Eastbourne).
She did not add to her overnight tally of 3 wins, as the remaining block games were completed on Day 2.
Mulcahy ended tied on 3 game wins with Kathy Brown (Scotland) and Simone Huber (Switzerland) and went into a play-off between them for the lats qualification place.
Mulcahy had beaten both players in the block already and did so again with 7-5 results against the pair.
Qualification in fourth place in her block will very likely mean a tough first round draw verses a block winner.
There is no live-streaming of this one, but you can follow Patricia's endeavours on Croquet Scores here:
https://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/erc-european-womens-tournament/block-c
01 August 2024 - Women's European Championship (Day 1) - Mulcahy wins 3 out of 4 after surprise last minute call-up
HOT NEWS - PCC Croquet Chairman Patricia Mulcahy received a phone call very early yesterday morning offering a last minute place in the Championships, and was down in Eastbourne by mid-afternoon to line-up the other Irish players in the Opening Ceremony!
The tournament starts today and runs for the next 4 days (1-4 August) concluding on Sunday and is being hosted by Compton CC (Eastbourne).
There is no live-streaming of this one, but you can follow Patricia's endeavours on Croquet Scores here:
https://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/erc-european-womens-tournament/block-c
On Sunday, PCC Croquet President Frances Colman be the Referee for the Championship Final and has also been asked to Award the Prizes.
Good luck Patricia and Frances!
Day 1 - Mulcahy had a dream start winning her opening three games, 10-8 v Simone Herber (Switzerland), 7-5 v Michelle Leonard (England) and 7-6 Cath Browne (Scotland) .
Such were these sucesses, it was a surprise when she lost 5-7 to Alison Murray (England) in the late afternoon
31 July 2024 - Adams wins his first tournament, the 10+ Singles (for the Green Ball Trophy)
Ramsay Adams looks like a name to to keep an eye on after an an impressive debut 10+ tournament win today.
He as pipped 6-7 in his first game of the day by the experience of relative tournament veteran Carol Wadsworth but turned the tables, and score line, on her when the pair met again in the final.
In the morning session, Wadsworth , Ian Forster and Cliff Hampton won the three blocks and only the latter (who was beaten by Adams) failed to win their afternoon quarter-fails.
Hilary Cowley scored a convincing 7-2 quarter-final win over newcomer Philip Rowley who had looked like a contender until that point.
Wadsworth beat Cowley 7-5 in one semi and Adams beat Forster 7-6 in the other, to set-up an interesting final that changed dramatically when Adams scored hoop 12 from beside hoop 11!
Wadsworth held the advantage with first stroke to the 13th hoop but was short with that ball and disappointingly likewise with the second, while Adams got in front but was fairly deep with both balls.
Wadsworth cleared Adams first ball but he scored impressively from four yards with the second, and was presented with the Green Ball Trophy by President Frances Colman.
Finishing order:
(1) Ramsay Adams, (2) Carol Wadsworth, (3) Ian Forster, (4) Hilary Cowley, (5) Cliff Hampton, (6) Daphne Spiers,
(7) Philip Rowley, (8) Maureen Ward, (9) Dilys Gordon, (10) Pippa Wynne-Ellis, (11) Barbara Gibbs, (12) Penny Morgan.
29 July 2024 - Ward joins Mulcahy in qualifying for the All England Handicap National Final
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Kevin Ward qualified fairly comfortably from the Area Final South-East. Managed by Chris Roberts, at Surbiton today.
He lost his first game on Surbiton's 'lighting fast' courts about was undefeated thereafter.
Hugh Crook also played in the Area Final (South-East) but losing his opening two games ws too bigh a hil to climb despite playing well and looking good.
28 July 2024 - Goldring and partner Jenny Clark are equal third at the GC National Doubles
Roger Goldring and partner Jenny Clarke got a very creditable ‘podium place’ in joint third at the National Doubles Championship this weekend.
Clarke, who is a former Women’s World Champion at Association Croquet, had asked Goldring to partner her following the pair’s successful performances for Oxfordshire at last season’s County Championship.
Flattered Goldring more that played his part in the pairs’ good run in Devon, when they won five of their seven block matches on Saturday to finish comfortably in second place to qualify for Sunday’s knock-out stage.
Almost joining them were Phyllis Court’s Chris Roberts and Frances Colman who won three games but missed out on qualification by two hoops in a tie-break calculation.
They went on to win the Saucer event to finish level with their 17th seeding place.
Goldring and Clarke however, did well to win a close quarter final 7-5, 3-7, 7-6 against Taunton pair Stephen Custance-Baker and Neil Fillery, but then came up against favourites James Death and Sam Cuthbert in the semis.
England international Death and 18-year-old Cuthberts, who played in the Under 21 Would Championship two years ago controlled the first game well but were given a real scare by Goldring and Clarke in the second, before wining 3-7, 6-7 and going on the win the final fairly easily.
Goldring and Clarke played two games of a third/fourth placed match, with 6-7 and 7-4 results before agreeing to half the match with Colin Britt and Andy Loakes.
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26 July 2024 - Mulcahy holds her nerve, as PCC win again, to qualify TWO teams for the Federations Shield Final
Budleigh Salterton 3 - 4 PCC 'Fed Shield Team A'
Phyllis Court's Federations Shield Team A, who are the holders of the national title, were pleased to have got over the tricky hurdle of South-West Champions, Budleigh Salterton, in Devon today.
The fixture set a new record as the furthest away match every played by the Henley club, and they needed all their cup-tie experience to get the win in a team contest that was close throughout.
In the morning session, Phyllis Courts Chris Roberts (-2) and Paul Franklin (7) were comfortable winners 7-5, 7-5 against Budleigh's Pat Coulter (3) and John Duplock (5).
But Phyllis Court narrowly lost the two singles rubbers which both went to deciding games.
Patricia Mulcahy (5) lost 3-7, 7-5, 4-7 Paul New (5), and Andy Jones (2) lost 7-5, 2-7, 3-7 to Ervine Kewley (6) so trailed 1-2 in the team match at lunch.
In the afternoon session, Phyllis Court number one Roberts (-2) was again fairly confirmable but had to survive a late survive from Coulter (3) before wining 5-7, 6-7 to level the team score at 2-2, and not long afterwards, Franklin (7) gave Phyllis Court the match lead with the defeat of Kewley (5) 7-6, 7-5.
The match was thrown back to level when Jones (2) lots to new (5) 3-7, 6-7 and all eyes then fell on the Mulcahy v Duplock match that would decided the fixture.
Mulcahy is no stranger to pressure situations and this one echoed the national final last season when the title rested on her match that was again the alst to finish.
Muchaly had won the first game but lost the second and, by the time the other players gathered she had a healthy 5-2 lead in the deciding game.
Duplock won two hops in a row to cut the deficit from three to two, but Mulcahy had the game in enough control to take on in score a risky jump shot at hoop 10, which then gave Duplock too much to overhaul and Mulcahy brought home the crucial four match win 7-5, 5-7, 7-5.
- This win gives Phyllis Court two teams in the semi-finals of this National competition, which it's self is a national first.
Phyllis Court Team A will next face West Worthing (East Sussex), and Team B will play Meldreth (South Cambridgeshire), with both dates and veuse yet to be agreed.
PCC ''Fed Shield' Team A: Chris Roberts (-2), Andy Jones (2), Patricia Mulcahy (6), Paul Franklin (7)
26 July 2024 - PCC 'B' held to a draw on an overly-long match at Eynsham
Eynsham 4 - 4 PCC 'B'
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​Report to come . . .
PCC 'A': Dianne Browne (4), Alastair Broom (5), Dee Mckibbin (5), Jeff Smith (5)
24 July 2024 - Mulcahy qualifies for the All England Handicap (Advantage) National Final
​Patricia Mulcahy was the top finisher of our four players competing in the All England Handicap Area Final South, hosted at Phyllis Court today.
Carol Wadsworth, John Howie and Liz Smith were also in the field of eight, that was completed by two players from each of Blewbury and Woking.
Mulcahy won her frst four games, including beating Howie and Smith, to lead the filed, until she was pegged back Blewbury's Carol Jamieson.
Also keeping pace were Wadsworth and Woking's Sandra Guildford and, going into the lats tow rounds, the two qualifying places looked set to be decided between the three of them.
Mulcahy dented Wadsworth's chances 7-3 in the penultimate round but still needed to beat Guildford in the last round but lost, so had to wait anxiously for Wadsworth's last result.
When Wandsworth was pipped 6-7 by Jamieson, it settled matters in Mulcahy and Guildford's favour and both qualified for the National Final in September, whilst Wadsworth will be high on the national reserves list.
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23 July 2024 - PCC score good AC 7+ League away at East Dorset
East Dorset 1 - 1 PCC 'AC 7+'
Phyllis Court’s 7+ team recorded a creditable 1-1 draw in their B-League match their longest away trip of the year, to the East Dorset Club at Poole, near Bournemouth.
Robin Coates lost his match to East Dorset’s Chris Rice but the improving Kevin Ward beat and his host John Speigle, to continue his good form that subsequently earned him a handicap reduction.
PCC 'A': Robin Coates (AC 12), Kevin Ward (AC 12)
22 July 2024 - PCC 'A' disappointed with day on the Isle of Wight
Ryde 4 - 4 PCC 'A'
Phyllis Court 'A' team travelled to the "South Island", as the locals like to refer to their home at Ryde on the Isle of Wight, for a Southern Federation Open League match.
Chris Roberts and Rick Lilley won both their ‘best of three games’ matches and the fixture result eventually hung on Roger Goldring's third and deciding game with Ryde's Jonathan Smith which had been suspended from the morning session.
Golding saw a two-hoop lead calmly clawed back by Smith in that final game and a 5-7 reverse, gained Ryde the result they needed to hold Phyllis Court to a 4-4 draw in the team match.
Earlier, 'A' team debutant Jeff Smith had lost to Ryde's Pam Sim in straight games but had done well to get the experienced Stuart Peters to 5-7, before losing that match too, but it was an encouraging performance from Smith who was stepping-up in standard significantly for this Open League match.
Phyllis Court's Roberts beat Roy Tillcock and later Smith, both in straight games, and clubmate Lilley had beaten Peters in two games and Sim in three.
Goldring tied with Smith at one game each in the morning but then went on to lose to Tillcock heavily in the afternoon, leaving the fixture dependent upon returning to the deciding game of the morning's rubber.
Phyllis Court looked to be in a good position at one rubber ahead and with Goldring at 5-3 up in that final game, and more so when he hit a terrific clearance at some distance when he could only see half a ball.
The worm certainly turned after that though, when Smith won a very long hoop 9 battle and then sent his ball into the jaws of hoop 10 from over ten yards.
That pulled the score back to 5-5 and at hoop 11 it all started to fall apart for Goldring, when he missed the hoop entirely with an uncharacteristically poor scoring attempt.
Smith won that hoop for three in a row and despite a valiant effort from Goldring who hit Smith from the boundary three times in a row, he went down 5-7, and Ryde competed their escape with a 4-4 team match score.
PCC 'A': Chris Roberts (-1), Roger Goldring (1), Rick Lilley (1), Jeff Smith (5)
20-21 July 2024 - von Schmieder (Ireland) & Roberts (Wales) play in the GC Home Internationals
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Charlie von Schmieder and Chris Roberts captained and played for Ireland and Wales respectively, in the Home internationals at Nailsea CC (North Somerset) this weekend.
A young England side with players aged 22, 20, 19 and (only just) 18, were too strong for the other nations, and they won all three of their Test matches to win back the title after losing it to von Schmieder's Ireland last year in Dublin.
On Saturday, Ireland opened with a comprehensive 0-6 defeat by England, then beat Scotland 5-0, with von Schmieder winning both his Doubles maatch and his singles match 2-0.
Meanwhile, Wales beat Scotland 2-0 and then went down 2-4 to England, with Roberts getting a game off Aston Wade and together with partner Ian BUrridge, the pair halved their doubles rubber with Wade and Jack Good, to maintain their excellent record of never having lost a 'bets of three' match.
On Sunday, Phyllis Court's Championship Referee Frances Colman arrived to officiate, boosting the Club's participation to three and Chairman Patricia Mulcahy called by to spectate on er way home from Budleigh and she stayed all day!
England trounced Scotland for their clean sweep and Ireland lined up with Wales for a Test to decided the runner-up spot.
In the Phyllis Court players' clash, Wales' Roberts and partner Burridge beat Ireland's von Schmieder and Simon Williams 7-4, 7-3 and then von Schmieder got the first singes game off Burridge before losing 7-6, 5-7, 5-7.
Roberts renewed his rivalry with Ireland's Mark Stephens, with two 2-1 victories over the Irishman already in the bag from earlier in the season at the European Championships, and he competed a hat-trick of match wins over Stephens with another victory 7-6, 2-7, 7-3, helping Wales to a 4-2 Test match win and second place over-all.
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Results digest on Croquet Scores here - https://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/home-internationals
20 July 2024 - Franklin & Roberts win their Classed events at the National Seniors Championship
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Paul Franklin (left) and Chris Roberts (below left) are celebrating their individual successes at the National Seniors Association Croquet Championships last week, as Phyllis Court featured highly in all the events they entered.
The pair won their respective Classed Singles events at the end of the week, following on from creditable finishing positions in earlier handicap events, in the week-long tournament at Budleigh Salterton in Devon.
First up was the Handicap Doubles in which Roberts played with regular partner Frances Colman and Franklin teamed up with Phyllis Court Chairman Patricia Mulcahy.
The latter dropped one early block game, whilst the former were undefeated until the two pairs met, in what turned out to be, an effective semi-final with only pair to qualify for the final from their block.
Franklin and Mulcahy used their bisques (extra turns) sparingly and well, and gave little away, in a controlled and mature performance to close-out the game against their own club coaches.
Roberts and Colman had to win their remaining game and hope that Franklin and Mulcahy tripped-up in their last block encounter, but when both Phyllis Court pairs won, the latter’s victory in the head-to-head game gave them precedence.
The final called for different tactics from Franklin and Mulcahy when they faced A-Class player Joe King of Blewbury and Budleigh’s Duncan Reeve who is in the top 20 players in the World.
Knowing that letting either opponent on the court would likely result in a large break, the Phyllis Court pair used their bisques to keep in the innings as much as possible but were eventually overhauled by the star partnership when the bisques ran-out.
The Handicap Singles event followed in the mid-week and was again a closely fought affair with both Mulcahy and Roberts involved in another tied block, this time with England player David Maugham.
Roberts had beaten Maugham which was a good scalp, Maugham had got past Mulcahy by a single point on time and Mulcahy had beaten Roberts easily, but with net points being unusable as a tie-break in handicap play, a coin-toss decided and fell in Mulcahy’s favour.
She beat another minus handicap player David Marsh in the semi-finals and then met the fast-improving Neil Adams of Crake Vally, Cumbria, in the final.
Mulcahy made a perhaps rash move to use several bisques right at the start of the game with only three balls on the court and the ploy didn’t really work, and Adams always looked comfortable, and especially so, when he made an all-round break and pegged one of Mulcahy’s balls out of the game.
A three-ball ending was unfamiliar territory for the Mulcahy and Adams duly extracted the last of her bisques and left Mulcahy as a runner-up for the second time in the week.
In the Class events, a stronger than usual entry list relegated Chris Robets to top seed in the B-Class and he swept all before him to win the Colin Hemming Cup for the first time, winning all seven of his games with a net hoop score of plus 120.
The D-Class was almost a Phyllis Court only event with Geraldine O’Rourke from Carrickmines, Dublin joining the Henley Club’s Frances Colman, Paul Franklin and Patricia Mulcahy.
Colman set the pace in the double round-robin schedule of games and won her first four games all by good margins, and her clubmates both also put O’Rourke (who had the best handicap of the quartet) to the sword.
In round five O’Rourke finally won a game and sneaked past Colman just before time was called and Franklin beat Mulcahy to set-up an effective final in the last round with Colman.
At the end of a low scoring match, Colman was unfortunate to stick in, what would have been, a winning hoop, and this allowed Franklin, who’s shooting and hitting in was by then really on-song, to seize the opportunity and make the iconic ‘golden hoop’ for victory 10-9.
For Franklin, this was a first solo tournament class win and to have done it at a major national championship, and against a former winner is very much to his credit.
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Results digest on Croquet Scores here - https://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/home-internationals
16 July 2024 - PCC 'C' lose to Caversham
PCC 'C' 6 - 10 Caversham
Report to come . . .
PCC 'C': Pete Falle (6), Carl Billson (7), Steve Morton (8), Carol Wadsworth (10)
18 July 2024 -GC Mix-in cut short today for essential maintenance of our courts
the GC Mix-in ran for just 2 hours (rather than the usual 3 hours) today, because grounds men Mark and Stefan needed to amply a maintenance treatment.
As picture here, the regulars adjourned to the Club terrace in good spirits.
17 July 2024 - PCC 'Federations Shield Team B' score great win over northern visitors Southport
PCC (FS) B 4- 3 Southport & Birkdale
The first of our TWO teams in the National GC Federations Shield, successfully got past the challenge of Southport & Birkdale today, and so qualified for for the semi-finals.
Southport & Birkdale were debutant visitors to Phyllis Court and enjoyed their stay in our beautiful setting and took rooms in the PCC Hotel.
The Phyllis court 'most valuable player' in this Advantage rules fixture was Steve Morton, who won both his morning and afternoon 'best of three games' matches.
Captain Raghu Iyer and Hugh Crook won their morning Doubles and Rob Eagle won hsi afternoon Singles, so all four of our team members contributed to the winning 4-3 score line.
Very well done team!
PCC (FS) B: Raghu Iyer (5), Rob Eagle (5), Hugh Crook (6), Steve Morton (8)
17 July 2024 - PCC 'A' suffer surprise loss to Blewbury 'A'
PCC 'A' 3 - 5 Blewbury 'A'
A below strength PCC 'A' team were unlucky to lose this fixture which Blewbury have not won for many a year.
PCC 'A' were on yeh wrong end of five deciding games 6-7, and actually won 14 more hoops in tyhe day, but crucially matches were lost.
Rick Lilley won both of his morning and afternoon 'best of three games' matches and Roger Goldring won one and lost one.
Unfortunately, that was as good as it got and i the bottom half of the fixture, both Andy Jones and Helena Fensome lost both their matches as Blewbury won the team match 3-5.
PCC 'A': Roger Goldring (1), Rick Lilley (1), Andy Jones (2), Helena Fensome (2)
16 July 2024 - PCC 'B' lose a close one
PCC 'B' 3 - 5 High Wycombe 'B'
Pcc 'B' lost 3-5 at High Wycombe today, in a very tight league fixture today, in which all but one match went to a third game and a few contests were were lost on the thirteenth hoop!
I the morning set of four 'best of three' matches, only captain Raghu Iyer could record a win, making light of his 5 handicap to beat Mark Higgings (5) 7-2, 4-7, 7-1.
In the afternoon quartet if matches, Dianne Browne and Jeff Smith each added to Phyllis Court's tally, but both Iyer and Alastair Broom lost 6-7 in the deciding game of thei contests, swinging the team match in the favour of hosts Wycombe, by the slimmest of margins.
PCC 'B': Dianne Browne (4), Raghu Iyer (5), Alastair Broom (5), Jeff Smith (5)
13 July 2024 - Roberts retains the Blue Ball Trophy at our Open Singles tournament
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Chris Roberts won our Open Singles tournament and retained the coveted Blue Ball Trophy at Phyllis Court today.
He won six of his seven games, including a last round de facto 'final' against Charlie von Schmieder.
The pair reached the last round of an 'all play all' block, which brought together the Club's best eight available players for a day of exciting croquet in which all eight had their moments.
The first round went with the seeding, but Rick Lilley caused the first upset when he beat third seed Ian Norris in round two.
The big upsets came in the fourth round just before lunch, when Roger Goldring beat von Schmieder 7-4 and Roberts let a 3-0 lead over Helena Fensome slip to a 3-5 reverse, which included a charitable accidental peel of Fensome's ball through hoop 7, and Fensome's resolute defence was reward with a worthy 7-6 victory.
Goldring's challenge evaporated when he fell 6-7 to Andy Jones's first win, from which the latter went on to win twice more.
Roberts had to come from 3-5 down to beat Rick Lilley 7-5 and von Schmieder beat him by the same score in the penultimate round as Roberts made short work of Norris 7-3.
With the rest of the field on two or more losses, no-one could catch the top two seeds Roberts and von Schmieder going into their last round head to head game.
Roberts got an early lead thanks to a very long scoring shot to score hoop 2, and he maintained that two hoop advantage under good pressure from von Schmieder's attempt to score the two hoops in a row that he needed.
4-2 became 5-3 and, when along tussle at hoop 9 was resolved in Roberts favour, 6-3 looked too much for von Schmieder to come back from.
And so it turned out when Roberts benefitted from an uncharacteristic von Schmieder missed clearance to score the 7-3 winning hoop.
- This was a sixth time Blue Ball trophy win for Roberts, and fully ten years since his first.​
Finishing order - Chris Roberts (6 wins), Charlie von Schmieder (5 wins), Roger Goldring (4 wins), Helena Fensome (4 wins), Rick Lilley (3 wins), Ian Norris (3 wins), Andy Jones (3 wins), Kevin Ward (0 wins).
12 July 2024 - PCC 'AC Handicap' lose in title decider
PCC 'AC Handicap' 1 - 3 High Wycombe
PCC 'AC Handicap' lost their crucial SCF Northern Division match this morning to High Wycombe, almost certainly handing the divisional title to their rivals.
With Eynsham yet to play or organise any of their matches and likely to be scratched from the league, the match today was effectively the title decider.
Phyllis Court's Russell Robinson recorded a convincing 26-0 win over visitor David Cotton, but 13-26 and 6-16 losses for Rick Lilley and Patricia Mulcahy against Mike Porter and Kenny Weir, and a close 11-13 reverse for captain Paul Franklin against Matt Griffith sealed the hosts' fate.
PCC 'AC Handicaps': Rick Lilley (11), Russell Robinson (12), Patricia Mulcahy (14), Paul Franklin (16)
10 & 11 July 2024 - Last round agony for Iyer & Ward at PCC/High Wycombe AC 7+ Advanced Tournament
- High Wycombe's Robin Morrison wins -
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Day 1 (at Phyllis Court) - A cold, sometimes rainy, and in the afternoon, noisy day's croquet was endured, if not enjoyed, by the field of three PCC players and five visitors today.
The blaring din from the Henley Music Festival sound-checks, which is so often a delight, spoilt the afternoon for some of the players but all three PCC representatives, Frances Colman, Raghu Iyer and Kevin Ward, ended the day with at least one win.
Ward led the way with a double triumph over pre-tournament favourite Robin Morrison (High Wycombe) and then Colman.
Iyer had two close games, pegging-out to win against Adam Newbould (Bromley) and loing by a last turn point to Richard Coward (high Wycombe), and Colman beat Tony Mayer (Swindon) in her opener, before going down to Ward.
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Day 2 (at High Wycombe) - a much nicer, and even warm, day was enjoyed by the players today, with the over-night pegged-down games starting proceedings.
In the all Phyllis Court clash, Iyer saw is lead closed considerably by Colman before he pegged-out for a second time.
At the top of the field, Ward stayed very focussed to win a low-scoring game versus Coward, and he maintained his unbeaten record going into round 4.
Iyer had come back well from his first round reverse and was rewarded with pairing against against leader Ward.
A terrific start set the pace for the rest of the game, and Ward never really recovered from Iyers opening onslaught.
Colman scored a good second win over Steve Fisher (Blewbury) and manager Chris Roberts set about finding a last round line-up that would work for everyone with out repeat games.
Iyer had played very well for a day and a half, to be on 3/4 and if he would win the tournament with victory in the last round versus Morrison.
Ward was also on 3/4, would win the tournament if he won
If both Iyer and Ward both lost, the Robin Morrison would win the tournament.
And in the end that, the last one of those was he scenario! - Congratulations to Robin Morrison (High Wycombe).
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Finishing order - 1. (4 wins) Robin Morrison (HW), 2= (3 wins) Raghu Iyer (PC), Kevin Ward (PC), Richard Coward (HW), 5= (2 wins) Frances Colman (PC), Tony Mayer (Swindon), Adam Newbould (Bromley), 8 (1 win) Steve Fisher (HW)
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29 & 30 June 2024 - Chairman Mulcahy wins 11 out of 12 games for IRELAND WOMEN v Scotland Women in Edinburgh
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Croquet Chairman Patricia Mulcahy contributed more than any other Ireland Women's team mate in their victory over their Scotland hosts in Edinburgh this weekend.
On Saturday, Mulcahy won both her singles matches and backed this up with 50% doubles record with partner Yvonne Marrinan.
On Sunday, Mulcahy went one better and won all her games!
Mulcahy's second appearance for Ireland Women's team could hardly have gone better and congratulations to her!​
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Singles:
beat Janet Brunton 7-2, 7-2
beat Jean Wood 7-4, 7-5
beat Mary Bowden 7-6, 7-1
beat Kim Darland 7-3, 7-6
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Doubles (with Yvonne Marrinan):
beat Fraser and Emma Jamie 7-3
Lost to Rosemary Saunders Robertson & Kathy Brown 6-7
beat Kim Darland & Mary Bowden 7-6
beat Jean Wood & Janet Brunton 7-4
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See all the results on Croquet Scores here: https://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/sca-v-cai-womens-match/sca-vs-cai
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29 & 30 June 2024 - Play-off agony for Roberts at the BRITISH OPEN SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIPS (Days 3 & 4 report)
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Chris Roberts lost his last block match narrowly 6-7, 6-7 against England player Euan Burridge yesterday (29th) morning, so needed to beat former AC World Champions Stephen Mulliner again in a single game play-off to reach his goal of qualifying for the main knock-out.
The pair played for over 70 minutes, partly due to Roberts declining to run hoop 9 at 3-5 down as he looked for a double-hoop score to get back level.
Roberts eventually fell 3-7 and went into the Plate event.
He won his first round match against the tricky Giles Pepperell (no relation) 10-8 but then let former Phyllis Court player (and 'Swing Doctor') Raouf Allim get away to an early lead which he never caught and lost 7-10.
Today (30th), Roberts and Frances Colman had a lot of pre-play preparations as appointed Referee's of the event, including hoop settings and much measuring of misplaced half-way markers, before the main event semis and finals could take place (Jamie Burch beat Stuart M Smith in that final).
In the meantime, Roberts played a 'best of three' match against Bristolian David Goacher, for 20th place and won 7-4, 6-7, 7-4.
Croquet Scores has all the results here: https://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/british-open-championship/block-c ​
28 June 2024 -
Raunkiaer wins the Phyllis Court dominated C-Level (7+) Series tournament at Swindon
- and qualifies for the National Final - ​
Andy Jones reports:
Ruth Raunkiaer beat Carol Wadsworth 7-2 in and 'all Phyllis Court' final at the Swindon C-Level Series (7+) tournament today.
Both players won 5 of their 6 games in the day and Pete Falle also came along and finished 7th of the 12 entrants.
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- Raunkiaer's win qualifies her for the National Final in September, alongside fellow Phyllis Court players, Rob Eagle, Pete Falle Michael Marcel.
28 June 2024 - PCC 'B' crash again
PCC 'B' 1 - 7 Blewbury 'B'
Despite a much-changed team selection, Phyllis Court B were again on the receiving end of another drubbing today.
This time a 1-7 home loss to Blewbury with captain Kevin Ward managing to record his side’s only win.
PCC 'B': Dianne Browne (4), Raghu Iyer (5), Kevin Ward (5), Rob Eagle (5)
27 & 28 June 2024 - Roberts beats higher seeds at the BRITISH OPEN SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIPS (Days 1 & 2 report)
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Chris Roberts is assured a play-off (at least) in his bid to qualify for the knock-out stage of the British Open Singles Championships at Southwick, near Brighton.
He opened with a match win against Paul Gunn (Wingrave) and followed that with his best result yet, at 10 years of attending he Championship, a win over 3rd seed and former AC World Champions Stephen Mulliner (his first ever match win against the international star).
A loss to young England Player Jack Good completed Roberts' Day 1, and then today (Friday) he scored two more victories over higher seed Tim Jolliffee (Taunton) and Guy Scurfield (Dulwhich) for four wins that secured his play-off opportunity, before a disappointing performance against England international Callum Johnson.
Tomorrow, Roberts plays his last block game against a third England player Euan Burridge with the winner qulaifiying out-right and the loser facing a play-off, probably against the vastly experienced Mulliner.
Follow the the results come in on the fabulous Croquet Scores service via this link: https://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/british-open-championship/block-c ​
26 June 2024 - Follow Roberts, Colman & Lilley in the BRITISH OPEN DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIPS (the Singles event starts tomorrow)
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The British Open Championships Singles start today (through to Sunday) and you can follow the fortunes of the country's best (and Chris Roberts) as the results come in on the fabulous Croquet Scores service via this link: https://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/british-open-championship/block-c
The format is four - 8-player blocks from which the top four form each will qualify for the main event knock-out.
Roberts is seed 21 of 32 so will do very ell to achieve his aim of making the cut.
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The Doubles event took place on Tuesday and Wednesday and Phyllis Court's Roberts was joined by partner and clubmate Frances Colman for the event, whilst Rick Lilley played with Giles Pepperell (no relation, from North Wales club Llanfairfechan). Roberts & Colman improved only slightly on their low 16th seeding position to finish in 15th, whilst Lilley unordinary had to withdraw unwell on the morning of day 2.
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Above: most of the “morning” team, flanked by our groundsman, Mark, and his assistant, Stefan.
25 June 2024 - Court levelling gets underway!
Today saw the start in earnest of our multi-year plan to level out the hills and furrows on our courts. Surveys of Courts 1 and 2 carried out earlier in the year by Kevin Ward and Russell Robinson allowed us to identify several “high” and “low” areas (these are illustrated by coloured maps in the pavilion). Our grounds staff then deposited 1½ tonnes of sand on the low areas which our team of hard-working volunteers industriously raked in to the grass during the morning. In the afternoon, we ran a lawn corer over the high areas to remove plugs of soil which should allow these areas to settle to a lower level. It was a very warm and sunny day, ideal conditions for dressing the lawn, but rather hot for our volunteer workers, all of whom are gratefully thanked for their efforts.
21-23 June 2024
England v Spain
- Test match at Roehampton Club -
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- Phyllis Court's Frances Colman is the Test Match Referee -
(assisted by Chris Roberts)
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* * * Watch the 'Live-Steaming' * * *
Tune in for the Opening Ceremony at 1000 (Friday) through to Sunday
and enjoy the expected spectacular action LIVE (or recoded if you prefer)
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Click on this link:
https://www.youtube.com/@CroquetEngland/streams
(and press the 'Live' tab)
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26 June 2024 - PCC 'C' win well, away at Winchester
Winchester 'B' 7 - 9 PCC 'C'
Patricia’ Mulcahy’s PCC 'C' team did well to win 9-7 away at Winchester today, and had to come from behind to do so.
The captain herself lead the scoring with Steve Morton, who both won three out of their four games with David Young and Carol Wadsworth contributing two and one victory respectively.
PCC 'C': Patricia Mulcahy (6), Steve Morton (8), David Young (8), Carol Wadsworth (9)
20 June 2024 - Phyllis Court 'AC Handicap' maintain unbeaten record in draw with Caversham
SCF AC Handicap League - Phyllis Court 2 - 2 Caversham
Paul Franklin's AC Handicap team survived the challenge of Caversham's team of high handicappers to secure a 2-2 draw at home this morning.
Most of the games were close and all four 'went to time'.
Wins were recorded by Robin Coates and Paul Franklin to keep the team's hopes alive of defending their SCF AC Handicap League title.
The team's remaining divisional fixtures are against High Wycombe (away) on 11 July and Eynsham (to be arranged).
PCC 'AC Handicap': Robin Coates (AC 12), Kevin Ward (AC 12), Patricia Mulcahy (AC 14), Paul Franklin (AC 16)
19 June 2024 - Phyllis Court's nail-biting win sees us into the National Secretary's Shield semis-finals
- Kevin Ward earns a Croquet England Silver Award! -
Croquet England AC Handicap Secretary's Shield competition - Phyllis Court 4 - 3 East Dorset
This match was about as exciting as an Inter-Club match gets with the result hanging on the last game of the day to finish.
Chris Roberts and Patricia Mulcahy had got Phyllis Court off to a good start in the morning doubles rubber versus Chris Weedon and Alan Jones, and never looked like losing as their high/low pairing worked a treat against East Dorset's mid-range duo.
Having established an early lead, the home pair gave nothing away to the visitors and made good and frequent use of the court furniture to wire their opponents from their own balls, making any roquet attempts risky affairs.
The speed of Phyllis Court's fast courts also caused the East Dorset pair difficulties and the home side pegged-out to win comfortably 26-10.
Phyllis Court's Raghu Iyer (handicap 9) looked to have too many bisques against East Dorset's David Fuller (-1.5), but the latter was not awarded the 2023 National Most Improved Male AC Player Award for nothing, and when Iyer burned too many of his 10.5 bisques mid-way through his journey with is second ball, it was somewhat inevitable the Fuller would come steaming through to win their match.
A missed peg-out, that allowed Iyer to make some more hoops, aside, Fuller looked very on-song and won 20-26.
The remining morning match went to 'time' but was a comfortable enough 21-13 win for Phyllis Court's Kevin Ward over East Dorset's Steve Hogan.
The feature of the game and whole fixture was Ward's all round 12-hoop break without bisques, that earned him a Croquet England Silver Award - congratulations Kevin!
Half-time: Phyllis Court 4 - 3 East Dorset
The afternoon's four head-to-head rubbers would decide the match and with handicap play, looked rightly too close to call.
In the number 4 players' game, Hogan took a big early lead, using only one of his 4 bisques entitlement against Mulcahy and, despite a late rally by the Phyllis Court Chairman the East Dorset player held on to win 15-22.
On the other court, Phyllis Court's number 3 Kevin Ward was in the lead for most of his game versus Jones, whilst number 2 Raghu Iyer was trailing but pacing Weedon's lead.
In the last half an hour, fortunes change dramatically when Ward made three uncharacteristic errors to be overhauled 16-21 by East Dorset's Jones, and Iyer made a decisive break to go from 5 behind to 5 in front against Weedon.
Iyer withstood the pressure of Weedon closing in as time approached and won by 2 hoops, 22-20.
The team match then hung on the number 1's rubber where Phyllis Court's Roberts early break to 4-back have been match mid-game by East Dorset's Fuller, before Roberts took his second ball to peg having been held at 3-back for half an hour or more.
Roberts (handicap 0) was only too well aware of Fuller (-1.5) prowess and any slip-up was likely to be fatal, and when forced to chose a sub-optimal corner for his last safety stroke after 'time' was called.
Roberts then had to endure the anxiety for seeing Fuller hit in with is last turn and be thankful that he didn't get the best of rushes to his hoop.
With all the players looking on anxiously, Fuller only got to a so-so hoop running position with his croquet stroke and hit to outside if the hoop leg, giving Roberts a 21-16 win and Phyllis Court a 4-3 team match win,
PCC 'AC Handicap': Chris Roberts (AC 0), Raghu Iyer (AC 9), Kevin Ward (AC 12), Patricia Mulcahy (AC 14)
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This result put Phyllis Court into the National Semi-finals to face the winner of the Peterborough v Hampstead Heath match.
Liz Smith is a new name on the Pink Ball Trophy
(photo by Chris Roberts)
17 June 2024 - Liz Smith wins our Women's Advantage tournament (and Pink Ball trophy)
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Liz Smith put a new name on the pink Ball trophy today when she sailed through the Phyllis Court Women's Advantage tournament undefeated.
Thanks to the event being run to Advantage rules, a one-off capacity field of 15 players eventually lined-up for this tournament which was played on a gloriously hot day the seems to indicate that summer has thankfully arrived at last.
Some very slow play was a feature of the morning, so much so that only two of the scheduled three pre-lunch rounds were played and the first stage blocks were completed only just before three o'clock.
Smith and high handicapper Penny Morgan were the only undefeated players going into the knock-out and were joined there by Hilary Cowley, Dilys Gordon, Heather Jones, Cathie McEntee, Daphne Spiers and Sally Tooher.
Julia Green also qualified but was an injury withdrawal at this stage.
Smith and Morgan got past Jones and McEntee 7-1 and 7-3 respectively, but the other two quart-finals were close affairs with Cowley and Gordon's 7-6 and 7-5 results seeing them through against Tooher and Spiers.
At the semi-final stage Smith confidence was there to see in her 7-3 win over Morgan who was all smiles regardless, and this joy was match by Gordon who unexpectedly got the better of Cowley by the same score.
At past six o'clock, the final was well contested at the end of a very long day and, although not having it all her own way, smith always held the upper hand over Gordon and, rewarding her many sessions of booked solo practice, Smith won her first trophy 7-4.
Congratulation's Liz!
Dianne Browne won the Plate Event for those missing the 'cut' to the main knock-out.
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Finishing order: (1) Liz Smith, (2) Dilys Gordon, (3=) Hilary Cowley & Cathie Mcentee, (5) Daphne Spiers, (6) Penny Morgan, (7) Heather Jones, (8) Sally Tooher, (9) Dianne Browne, (10) Pippa Wynne-Ellis, (11=) Penny Godfrey & Carol Wadsworth,
(13=) Sally Batty & Veronica Lawson-Smith. *Julia Green qualified for the top 8, but withdrew with an injury at the half-way stage.
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Chairman Patricia Mulcahy presented the Yellow Ball Trophy to
winner Roger Goldring and the Manger's Prize to Cathie McEntee
(by Chris Roberts)
15 June 2024 - Roger Goldring wins our 80+ tournament (and Yellow Ball trophy)
- and Cathy McEntee gets the Manager's Prize
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Roger Goldring is an old hand at trophy winning, and he was at it again today when he retained his Phyllis Court 80+ Singles tournament title ahead of a record field of 13 octogenarians.
He was given a stern test in his opening game by Tony Peperell, who took the former English over 50’s champion to the last hoop before going down 7-6, and then in a topsy-turvy block, Goldring wiped-out Mike Sayer 7-0, who then beat Peperell 7-1.
The other favourites Mike Fensome, Pete Falle and the newly qualified Robin Coates all qualified for the knock-out stage along with Sayer, John Howie, Hugh Crook (who had an against-seeding win over Fensome) and Cathie McEntee.
Three-time winner Fensome had close and good 7-5 win over the in-form Falle as the other quarter-finals also went with seeding and in the semis Goldring beat Fensome 7-4 and Crook scored the result of the day to beat second favourited Coates 7-6.
Disappointingly for the final, it was one-way traffic for Goldring who beat Crook 7-1 to retain the Yellow Ball trophy.
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Cathie McEntee was awarded the new Manager’s Prize trophy, not only for being the only Woman entrant 'brave' enough to enter this year, but for staying the course with a competitive edge to her game throughout.Chris Roberts - Manager
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Rob Eagle with his haul of Trophies from:
The Ealing C-Level Series and
PCC's D-Level & 7+ Black Ball (by Chris Roberts)
12 June 2024 - Rob Eagle wins at Ealing to qualify for C-Level Series National Final
- His third trophy of the season (so far!)
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Congratulations to Rob Eagle who is having quite a season!
Eagle won his third tournament of the season last week and has reduced his handicap by five steps in fewer months.
Eagle had previously won the Club’s inaugural D-Level (10+) tournament, which was trial event for the launch of a national series at that level next year, and then a fortnight ago he won the C-Level (7+) Series tournament at Ealing CC, to qualify for the end of season National Final.
His latest achievement was to win the Phyllis Court’s internal 7+ Singles tournament and to add his name to the Black Ball Trophy which he flew through undefeated.
Eagle beat Tony Peperell, David Young and Daphne Spiers, 7-4, 7-3 and 7-2 respectively in the morning block games and was similarly untroubled by Helen Essa, who he beat 7-2 in the quarter-finals.
Carol Wadsworth did well to get past the improving John Howie 7-6 in her quarter-final but was no match for Eagle in their semi which the latter won 7-4 to set-up a re-match in the final with Young who’s only loss had been to Eagle.
Fittingly for the final, Young provided Eagle with his closest match of the day but he couldn’t keep the high-flyer down and Eagle won 7-5.
8 June 2024 - PCC 'B' bomb at East Dorset
East Dorset 'B' 7.5 - 0.5 PCC 'B'
Phyllis Court B suffered a drubbing away at East Dorset and managed only one halved match by captain Kevin Ward, in a sea of losses as they went down 0.5-7.5 to the hosts.
The B look to rescue their Southern Federation (SCF) B-League season with a home match against Blewbury B next Friday.
PCC 'B': Alastair Broom (5), Kevin Ward (5), Patricia Mulcahy (6), Pete Falle (6)
8 June 2024 - AC Handicap team draw with Oxford University
Phyllis Court 'AC Handicap' 2-2 Oxford University
Phyllis Court maintained their unbeaten record with a 2-2 draw at home to Oxford University today, and nextweek entertain Caversham in their quest to retain their SCF Handicap League title.
PCC AC Handicap: Kevin Ward (AC 12), Roger Goldring (AC 12), Russell Robinson (AC 12), Paul Franklin (AC 16)
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Rick Lilley in action at Hurlingham
(photo by Chris Roberts)
6 June 2024 - Phyllis Court exit National Inter-Club (Murphy) Shield away at Hurlingham
Hurlingham 4-3 Phyllis Court '1+'
For the second tier National Inter-Club Shield, Phyllis Court ‘+1’ travelled to the Hurlingham Club at Putney on today, with the stronger of the two sides on paper.
The Henley club again played the stronger of their pair of handicap 2 players in the number three team slot, in order to load the bottom half of the fixture, which had been a successful ploy in the previous round at Ealing.
Andy Jones, had been in that role previously but hadn’t been eligible for this match, so the experienced Helena Fensome cam in to an otherwise unchanged team.
Nothing went right for Phyllis Court ‘B’ In the morning, from when Helena Fensome lost unexpectedly quickly to Hurlingham’s handicap 5 captain Henry Bagwell and was soon followed by an out of sorts Alastair Broom who lost to Noel Flit.
The doubles match was a slow affair and again ended in disappointment for Phyllis Court when Rick Lilley and Mike Fensome were beaten by the host’s Stephen Allen and Luolph van Hasslet.
At 0-3 down at lunch, the pressure was on all four of the Phyllis Cout ‘B’ players, with just one more match win being sufficient for a Hurlingham team win.
Helena Fensome showed good character to beat Flint 7-3, 5-7 to keep her side in the contest but husband Mike couldn’t live with the accuracy of his opponent van Hasslet, and his 4-7, 5-7 match result got Hurlingham over the winning line.
The dead rubbers were played out in the late afternoon and both Lilley and Broom came back very well from first game defeats, to win their matches 2-1, and gave the team match score-line a respectable 3-4 look.
However, the two team match losses in five days for Phyllis Court, sees the Henley Club wondering what might have been, whilst now looking toward their remaining presence in two National Handicap team competitions which first matches next month.
PCC '1+' Rick Lilley (1), Mike Fensome (2), Helena Fensome (2), Alastair Broom (5)
4 June 2024 - Phyllis Court entertain visitors from Denver CC (USA)
Away from competitive play, Phyllis Court was delighted to welcome five players from Denver Croquet Club to Henley on today and to give some of our committee and other long-established members the opportunity to represent the Club alongside American visitors
PCC representatives: Patricia Mulcahy (captain, 6), Julia Green (10), Jeff Cornacchia (12), Hilary Cowley (12), Maureen Ward (10)
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2 June 2024 - Phyllis Court exit National Inter-Club Championship to Nottingham's "4 Internationals" team
Phyllis Court 1-6 Nottingham
Phyllis Court ‘A’ welcomed a Nottingham team of four international players, for a top flight Inter-Club Championship quarter-final match, and over 70 club members attended to spectate the fabulously accurate hard-hit clearance and hoop stokes of England pair James Death and Will Gee.
No ball was safe from anything closer than 15 yards and Gee in particular, was in sparkling form, hitting centre-ball three times from near corner to corner, a distance of close to 35 yards! Phyllis Court’s own internationals Charlie von Schmieder (Ireland) and Chris Roberts (Wales) held their own in the morning doubles match but went down eventually in straight games.
In the bottom half of the fixture, Phyllis Court’s Roger Goldring played two very long games with honours even against Scotland international Lorna Dewar, in a match which was the suspended, whilst the host’s Andy Jones scored the ‘result of the day’ in getting a game off Wales captain Ian Burridge, who who is ranked much higher that the Phyllis Court man.
Into the second session, Nottingham held a 2-0 lead and soon increased that when Death beat von Schmider7-5, 7-3, as Robets squandered a simple two feet hoop score to let a precious win over Gee pass him by.
Nottingham scored the fixture winning fourth win when Gee punished Robets’ error to the full in that and their second game 7-6, 7-5, and then the visitors cemented their victory when Burridge dispatched Goldring 7-1, 7-5.
Jones maintained his morning form to win his first game against Dewar 7-5 but the Scot pulled the second game back by the same score, before they agreed to half, what had become, a dead rubber; a fate which also befell Goldring’s suspended morning match with Dewar.
PCC 'A': Charlie von Schmieder (-1), Chris Roberts (-1), Roger Goldring (1), Andy Jones (2)
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Also in the past week:
Helena Fensome finished 2nd at Sidmouth A-Level (0+) tournament
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I June 2024 - 'Podium places' for Roberts & Lilley (PCC) as Leonard (East Dorset) wins the SCF Championship again
Today at Phyllis Court, the Southern Croquet Federation Golf Championship drew in most of the top ranked players in Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The top seed was UK top 20 player Tim O’Donnell from Hamptworth, who started as slight favourite ahead of holder, Steve Leonard (East Dorset and England) and Phyllis Court’s Chris Roberts.
O’Donnell lost an early game of the seven-round ‘all play all’ tournament and when Roberts was beaten by old adversary, and former Phyllis Court player, Raouf Allim in round two, the event was blown wide open.
Roberts had beaten clubmate and bottom seed Rick Lilley easily 7-1 in the first round and it looked like being a long day for the latter, but he then went on an unbeaten run of four impressive victories, including taking the scalps of O’Donnell and Leonard.
With two rounds to play, Leonard was in the ‘box seat’ with only one loss with O’Donnell, Roberts and Lilley hoping to pull the leader back into the chasing pack.
Roberts ended O’Donnell’s hopes in the penultimate round but Leonard held on to put his name on the newly
inaugurated trophy for a second time.
The event had attracted a good-sized spectator gallery from the Phyllis Court faithful who lined the sides of
the court which had been fenced off as a safety measure, with an even bigger viewing spectacle advertised
for the following day.
- A good sized spectator gallery enjoyed the days play from the director's chairs positioned alongside the
court's Eastern boundary.
Finishing order:
Steve Leonard (East Dorset) 6 wins
Chris Roberts (Phyllis Court) 5 wins
Rick Lilley (Phyllis Court) 5 wins
Tim O'Donnell (Hamptworth) 4 wins
Duncan Catterall (High Wycombe) 3 wins
Raouf Allim (High Wycombe) 2 wins
Jonathan Smith (Ryde) 2 wins
Paul Gunn (Wingrave) 1 win
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Phyllis Court Chairman Patricia Mulcahy
presented Steve Leonard with the new
SCF Championship Trophy
28-29 May 2024 - Kevin Ward debuts well at first his Tournament and Raghu Iyer recovers well
Kevin Ward and Raghu Iyer were our representatives this week at the AC nationally advertised C-Level (7+) Advanced tournament that we host jointly with Blewbury CC.
Players were attracted from five clubs as far away as Bromley and Tunbridge Wells.
The surprise package was Ward who won his first two games 17-10 against Andy Robertson (Blewbury) and 12-10 against Tony Mayer (Swindon), despite being called-up from the reserves list with only three days’ notice for his first ever Advanced rules contests.
He went on to win his third round game which was played half at Phyllis Court, before being suspended overnight and concluded at Blewbury the following morning.
Ward played with a maturity beyond his experience at this level in seeing out the single point 16-15 victory over Brian Jamieson (Blewbury) to hold a one-win lead over the field going into the fourth round.
That latest score line was the cruelly reversed and re-visited on Ward in the next round when the stylish Phil Taylor (Tunbridge Wells) held out for a 15-16 win to end the Henley player’s winning run.
Phyllis Court’s other representative, Raghu Iyer had had a torrid start, losing his first two games on Day 1, but he came back well to level his winning tally by mid-afternoon on Day 2. And Iyer was the kingmaker of the tournament, when he was matched against Taylor in the last round, knowing that one more victory for the visitor would win him the tournament, but a loss to Iyer would bring about a number of scenarios including an-unlikely five-way tie!
Ward fell away in the fifth round with a 14-18 reverse to Adam Newbould (Bromley) and Iyer couldn’t live with Taylor’s confident and commanding play and lost 2-26.
Taylor took the trophy back to Kent and over half the filed look forward to re-engaging together at the Phyllis Court / High Wycombe mirror tournament in July.
26 May 2024 - Rick Lilley qualifies as a GC Referee - Richard Peperell qualifies as an AC Referee
Rick Lilley & Richard Peperell qualified as GC and AC Referees respectively fairly recently.
Hearty congratulations to Rick studied hard before attending a preparation course and examination last weekend at the Chiltern Academy, High Wycombe, and this is an opportunity to recognise Richard’s AC qualification form a couple of months ago (and he already held a GC referees badge).
Rick is very welcome addition to our band of Qualified Referees (see below) along with Richard, who has now added this AC qualification to his existing GC refereeing badge.
It is worth noting few other clubs have anything like this number of qualified referees in their memberships, and as members of Phyllis Court Croquet Club we are especially fortunate to have this expertise in such abundance (we now have 10 qualified referees, holding 15 refereeing badges between them).
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Championship Referee (GC) - Frances Colman, Chris Roberts
Referee (GC) - Frances Colman, Julia Green, Raghu Iyer, Helena Jansson, Richard Peperell, Andy Jones, Rick Lilley, Ruth Raunkiaer, Chris Roberts, Russell Robinson
Referee (AC) - Richard Peperell, Chris Roberts
Assistant Referee (AC) - Frances Colman
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Also in the past week:
Rick Lilley finished 2nd at the Roehampton AC Handicap tournament
Alastair Broom finished 4th at the East Dorset B-Level (3+) tournament
Michael Marcel finished 2nd at the Wrest Park C-Level (7+) tournament
Ruth Raunkiaer & Jane Probitts finished 3rd at the Guildford Handicap (Advantage) Doubles tournament
- Well done all!
24 May 2024 - Undefeated Falle wins our 3+ Singles tournament (Red ball Trophy)
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The remarkable rise in status of Pete Falle, who has not been playing for 8 months yet, hit another new high today, with victory in the Phyllis Court internal 3+ Singles tournament.
A small but closely matched field of six, played an 'all play all' format in excellent spirt throughout.
Falle got off a good start when he beat Bill Pitkeathley 7-3, and then Patricia Mulcahy 7-6, while pre-tournament favourite Alastair Broom also won his opening two games, which set-up a pivotal encounter between the two in the last round before lunch.
Falle took an early lead and extend that to 4-0 before cruising to a 7-3 win, leaving the rest of the field, who had traded wins fairly evenly, looking to who might bring Fall back into the pack in the afternoon session.
Kevin Ward came mighty close and took Falle to his second 7-6 score-line of the tournament in round 4 and Dee McKibbin made sure that he had to earn his crown in the last round, when, but for an expensive missed clearance at hoop 11, she might have dented Falle's record.
However, it was not to be and the deserved Falle won that last game 7-4, for a perfect 5/5 record and tournament win.
Broom was runner-up, with only the one defeat to Falle and also catching the eye was Mulcahy's recovery from two early losses to win the rest for third place.
Chairman Mulcahy presented Falle with the Red Ball trophy, his second of his super first full season!
- Today's five wins earned Falle an automatic handicap reduction to 7, and Club Handicapper Chris Roberts was so impressed with Falle's steady improvement, that he made an additional manual adjustment down to a 6 handicap - congratulations Pete!
Finishing order: Pete Falle (5 wins), Alastair Broom (4 wins), Patricia Mulcahy (3 wins), Bill Pitkeathley (2 wins), Kevin Ward (1 win), Dee McKibbin (0 Wins).
22 May 2024 - Good time had by all at the 'Rainbow Social'
Hilary Cowley reports:
A Rainbow social get together was held this evening May, and due to the rain, we were made use of the Regatta Bar.
There was lots of chatter from the players and several were helped to navigate the website.
Our Chairman, Patricia Mulcahy, also participated in the evening as well as Chris Roberts, who advised a number of players on purchasing mallets.
Chris will have been busy with court bookings, as as a number of Rainbow games and some doubles were arranged on the evening and also on the WhatsApp over the last few days. A similar evening is proposed in August.
If you would like more information on the Rainbow, which is aimed at 10+ players, please contact Hilary Cowley hilaryhmc@gmail.com
20 May 2024 - PCC 'D' keep SCF Central Division title hopes alive and Eagle wins 4 times
PCC 'D' 11 - 5 Caversham
Phyllis Court ‘D’ maintained their unbeaten record on Monday with a sound 11-5 win over neighbours Caversham.
Convincing though the scoreline suggests, defending league champions Phyllis Court were challenged well by the visitors in the first three rounds before pulling away in the last set of games for a flattering winning margin.
Rob Eagle was the star of the day in winning all four of his games by impressive 7-2, 7-1, 7-3 and 7-3 scorelines, despite having reduced his handicap by two grades only last week, and thus affecting his Advantage starting score tallies.
He really is the form man of the moment and is on a charge down the handicap grades.
Also doing well on Monday were Helen Essa and Ruth Raunkiaer, who each won three out of four, which brought about a handicap reduction for the latter.
Liz Smith had impressed at two recent tournaments and was given a run in the number four berth of the Phyllis Court ‘D’ team and was unfortunate to lose her first two games 6-7 and then the third 4-7, but she showed good character to race against the clock in a late finishing time-limited final round game to win 7-2.
With Littleton having unfortunately withdrawn for the Southern Federation Advantage League, this latest team victory takes Phyllis Court D to just one match victory away from retaining the divisional title and a semi-final place away from a hat-trick of League titles.
PCC D' - Helen Essa (7), Ruth Raunkiaer (8), Rob Eagle (8), Liz Smith (10)
Paul Franklin & Patricia Mulcahy with Roehampton's beautiful Creyke Cups that date back to 1935
19 May 2024 - Franklin & Mulcahy win their first AC Trophies at Roehampton
There was no one to touch Phyllis Court's Paul Franklin and Patricia Mulcahy this weekend as they took the Roehampton AC Handicap Doubles by storm.
The pair were jubilant at their string of five victories that brought them a first Association Croquet tournament victory to reward a dedicated winter and spring of twice weekly coaching and practice sessions.
On Saturday they opened their account with a +8 victory over familiar faces in Raghu Iyer and Harry Midgley, current and former Phyllis Court members, and backed that up with a +7 win over Roehampton/Hurlingham combination Diana Wilson and Peter Spiller.
Late on Saturday Franklin and Mulcahy played what was likely to be the crunch match of the tournament against fellow undefeated pair from the host club, Howard Railton and the vastly experienced Tim Russell.
Manager Russell reported that, in exciting ending, Franklin impressively centre-balled long 15 yard roquet to regain the innings, from which the Phyllis Court pair made some crucial extra hoop points, leaving their opponents too much to do in the final turn, and won by the classic margin of +1 on time.
With the tournament victory in their own hands on Sunday morning, Franklin & Mulcahy comfortably beat Nick and Stephen Parrish (Surbiton) by +7 to reach an unassailable position, before adding an fifth +6 victory against home pair Julia Sheraton-Davis and Andrew Wilson.
Victory brought the presentation of the beautiful Creyke Cups which date back to 1935, and have been played for every year since, bar the war years.
Tournament Referee Frances Colman with Chris Roberts and his 'Bowl' trophy
(by Peter Payne)
19 May 2024 - Colman and Roberts at the GC European Championships - Day 4 (follow on Croquet Scores)
Today - LIVE STREAMING - https://www.youtube.com/CroquetEngland
Day 4 - With hoop positions being moved for the final day Tournament Referee Frances Colman had much pre-play checking of the settings to do this morning.
Chris Roberts resumed his Bowl match with Mark Stephens (Ireland), suspended at 7-4, 5-7 last night and won this morning's decider 7-2 in another multi-long clearances dominated game. He then played yet another long Bowl semi-final with Robert O'Donoghue (Ireland) and won 3-7, 7-4, 7-5 missing lunch in the process!
Robert sreached the Bowl event (for 9th place) v Manuel Alvarez-Sala (Spain).
Roberts wins the Bowl event 7-1, 6-7, 7-5!
The main Championship saw the semi and final rounds today and a number pf members tuned-in' to the live streaming (see the link above).
In the Final - Jose Alvarez-Sala (Spain) beat Richard Bilton (England).
The full and final results are on the fabulous Croquet Scores website here - ttps://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/european-championship/block-a
18 May 2024 - Colman and Roberts at the GC European Championships - Day 3 (follow on Croquet Scores)
Today and tomorrow - LIVE STREAMING - https://www.youtube.com/CroquetEngland
Day 3 report - Chris Roberts sat on 3 match wins with one to play in Block A and was assured of a play-off at least for qualification to the last 16 Main knock-out.
However, in his last block match this morning versus Joi Elebo (Sweden), he won a closely contested affair 7-6, 4-7, 7-2 with super long clearances from both players extending the match beyond three and a half hours. The victory earned Roberts a straight qualification for the last 16 main event knock-out, which had been his pre-tournament target,
This afternoon Roberts played England International Richard Bilton, and he lead the first game, had a first approach to hoop 13 and a long shot to win the first game but lost 7-6 and then more tamely 7-3.
Roberts the went into the 'Bowl' event for positions 9 to 16 and re-met Mark Stephens (Ireland), whom he'd beaten against his seeding in the block stage.
The pair played another very long high quality match with cross-court clearances such a feature that and half past eight, the contest was suspended ay one game all 7-4, 5-7 to be completed tomorrow morning.
Watching the live-streaming station today, also look out for Tournament Referee Frances Colman, in her now famous pink hat (important so that players can see where she is when needed). Frances has been called-on a lot today, including sorting out a wrong ball situation involving former World Champion Stephen Mulliner!
You can follow the progress of the tournament on the fabulous Croquet Scores website here - ttps://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/european-championship/block-a
17 May 2024 - Colman and Roberts at the GC European Championships - Day 2 (follow on Croquet Scores)
Day 2 report - Chris Roberts scored a great result this morning in beating the number 2 seed in his block, Mark Stephens (Ireland) 7-6, 5-7, 7-3.
He then lost to the number 3 seed in his block Patricio Jnr Garay (Spain) 3-7, 6-7.
In the late afternoon and into the evening, Roberts' last opponent of the day was Gerald Ehlms (Germany), with a third match win being the target to ensure a play-off at least.
Roberts won the first game comfortably enough 7-4 but had to work hard for the second game and match win, and needed a jump shot at hoop 13 for a 7-6 victory.
Frances Colman in was much Refereeing demand today covering all eight courts from a central position.
You can follow the progress of the tournament on the fabulous Croquet Scores website here - ttps://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/european-championship/block-a
16 May 2024 - Colman and Roberts at the GC European Championships - Day 1 (follow on Croquet Scores)
Frances Colman and Chris Roberts flew the Phyllis Court flag at the GC European Championships that started today and finishes on Sunday (16 - 19 May).
Colman is the Referee of The Tournament and Roberts is representing Wales in a filed of 32 players (from 13 countries) competing at the Sussex County CC, Southwick, near Brighton. Roberts is 16th seed with a first aim being to qualify from Block A for the main knock-out rounds on days 3 & 4.
You can follow the progress of the tournament on the fabulous Croquet Scores website here - ttps://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/european-championship/block-a
Day 1 report - Roberts was dispatched 1-7, 3-7 by former World Champion Stephen Mulliner in a quick-fire opening match.
He was then beaten 6-7 by Kevin Kostiuk (Portugal) but recovered to win the match 7-3, 7-3.
Roberts' third match against Andrew Cowing (Scotland) didn't take place due to the latter's withdrawal.
15 May 2024 - AC Handicap team start with a bang!
PCC 'AC' 4 - 0 Blewbury
This afternoon saw the Phyllis Court Association Croquet players in action in the first fixture of the Southern Croquet Federation handicap league in a match against Blewbury.
The PCCC team were the higher handicappers in the event playing off 12,12,12 and 16 versus Blewbury with handicaps in the range 8 to 10.
The result was a 4-nil win for Phyllis Court. While there was good play from both teams, I felt that Phyllis Court had the edge.
Robin Coates and Roger Goldring’s games ran to the time limit, finishing 22-10 and 19-3 respectively, while Russell Robinson and Patricia Mulcahy both achieved a peg-out with final scores of 26-3 and 26-2 respectively. Patricia’s result moved her to a new handicap level if 14 too.
This is a great start for the AC Handicap League with four more fixtures to come.
PCC 'AC' - Robin Coates (AC 12), Roger Goldring (AC 12), Russell Robinson (AC 12), Patricia Mulcahy (AC 14),
- Paul Franklin
14 May 2024 - 10+ Evening Series gets underway
The first event of this season's 10+ Evening Series was enjoyed in mild, partly sunny weather today by 14 of the 61 members who have so far registered for the series. Doug Tonks and Sue Rumford excelled by winning all three of their games. Three further evenings are scheduled this month and dates for June will be published shortly. If you would like to play in this series and have not yet registered (or would like to find out more about it), please complete the form on the 10+ Evening Series webpage (click here) or contact Russell Robinson. A series is also being run for those with handicaps between 6 and 9 inclusive.
- Russell Robinson
10 May 2024 - PCC 'C' draw with Blewbury
PCC 'C' 8 - 8 Blewbury 'C'
A much changed PCC 'C' team enjoyed the closest of encounters wit Blewbury today in a stand-alone (non-league) challenge match today, which was only settled as and 8-8 draw in the last round of four.
This fixture took the place of the SCF league match v Littleton, who have (disappointingly) withdrawn from all leagues this season.
Only Hugh Crook retained his place from the 'C' line-up that lost to PCC 'D' last month and both he and debutant Carl Billson each won three games, whilst fellow debutant Pete Fall, added the other two victories to the team tally.
​The match was close throughout, with honours even in the first round of games, before PCC 'C' took a one game lead by the mid-point in the match.
The third round was again shared evenly and PCC 'C' just couldn't get the win over the line in the last round when only Falle managed a win, as the late rally by Blewbury meant that the fixture ended in an 8-8 draw.
PCC 'C' - Dee McKibbin (5), Hugh Crook (7), Carl Billson (7), Pete Falle (8)
14 May 2024 - Handicap Changes
Following the recent Advantage, C-Level & D-Level tournaments (and some competition results) the folowing Automatic Handicap System (AHS) changes have occoured:
Rob Eagle 10 to 8
Phil Johnson 8 to 9
Carol Wadsworth 11 to 10
Barrie Scott 9 to 10
Daphne Spiers 10 to 11
John Howie 12 to 11
David Channon 14 to 12
Congratulations and commiserations accordingly.
8 May 2024 - Eagle wins our inaugural 'Nationally advertised D-Level (10+) Singles tournament
Rob Eagle was the only player in a field of 16, to go through the day undefeated (6 wins from his 6 games) on his way to a splendid first tournament win at Phyllis Court today,
He opened his account with a straight forward 7-2 win over Pam Please (Eynsham), and followed that with a comfortable 7-4 and 7-5 results against Ian Forster and Dilys Gordon (Phyllis Court) - more about Forster shortly.
The blocks results were kind to Phyllis Court players and along with Eagle, Forster also made the cut to the afternoon main knock-out and was joined by Carol Wadsworth, Liz Smith and Daphne Spiers.
Spiers and Wadsworth fell in the quarter-finals to Smith and Forster respectively and Eagle came through to the semis in the other half of the draw with a narrow 7-6 win over Guildford's Paul Stroud.
Eagle flirted with danger in his semi with Chris Barnard of Caversham, having to go to the 13th hoop again after leading by two hoops for much of the game, but he nailed the crucial winning hoop shot from four yards with aplomb.
Forster was the dark horse of the tournament and came through the other semi 7-4 against Smith, but found his match in the fianl with Eagle ran away with to win 7-1.
- In the consolation Plate event Sue Rumford beat Des Walsh 7-3 for 11th/12th place, Hilary Cowley was 13th and Dilys Gordon finished one above her seeding in 15th.
- Huge thanks to Des Walsh for coming in as a very late replacement for a sick visiting player (Des answered the call at 0805 and was at the Club within the hour!
8 May - John Walker R.I.P.
It with great sadness that I need to inform you that John Walker passed away on Sunday (5 May). He died of a heart attack.
John was a very good friend and many people in the Croquet and Bridge section will remember him fondly.
John lived in Shiplake where he moved when he worked for Huntley and Palmer in Reading. John then worked for the accounting software company Intuit where he had staff under him in America and Singapore as well as here.
John was a keen Bridge player and loved his classic cars. He owned a classic Mercedes 230 until recently.
In the last two years he took up Croquet and proved himself a fine competitor, being the first to reach the top of the rainbow competition here at Phyllis Court.
John retained his Yorkshire accent and dry wit. He was married to Sue, and they had two boys and will be sorely missed by his many friends and all those who knew him.
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Des Walsh
1 May 2024 - Wadsworth wins our Advantage Singles tournament (and the White Ball Trophy)
Carol Wadsworth won her first, and long-overdue, croquet trophy today, with a controlled and patient display of mature croquet that clearly drew deep from her past tournament experience.
She lost her first game of the day to Kevin Ward 5-7, after which she didn't falter again all day.
Subsequent morning wins over David Channon 7-2, and Carl Billson 7-5, were enough for Wadsworth to top her block on percentage hoop count from Ward in second place.
Also progressing to the afternoon's main knock-out were other block winners John Howie and the undefeated Roger Goldring and Helena Fensome, and the other three runners-up, Liz Smith, Pete Falle and Patricia Mulcahy.
In the quarter-finals Wadsworth and Falle scored convincing wins over Goldring and Mulcahy 7-0 and 7-1 respectively - remembering this was Advantage [handicap] play - and in closer games Howie beat Ward 7-3 and Smith beat Fensome 7-6.
Howie turned out to be the dark horse of the tournament, and despatched Fall 7-2 in the first semi-final
and Wadsworth beat her friend Smith 7-5 to set up a final that guaranteed and new name on the White Ball trophy.
It turned out to be a game to far for Howie who was comprehensively dispatched 7-1 by the victorious Wadsworth.
In the Plate event (for those not making the cut to the main knock-out), Channon beat Fay Ahara 7-4 in a rare 0:0 starting score semi-final, while in the other semi Hugh Crook beat Barrie Scott7-2.
Diligently the Plate finalists continued on after the main event had concluded, and Channon beat Crook 7-4.
Finishing Order: (1) Carol Wadsworth, (2) John Howie, (3) Pete Falle, (4) Liz Smith, (5=) Patricia Mulcahy & Kevin Ward,
(7) Roger Goldring, (8) Helena Fensome, (9+) David Channon & Hugh Crook, (11=) Fay Ahara & Barrie Scott, (13=) Carl Billson, Cliff Hampton, Daphne Spiers & Sally Tooher.
Raymond and Pauline Wood at our Annual Prize-giving Dinner in December.
Funeral:
Pauline Wood and family invite all who knew Raymond to attend the funeral service at the Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart (Henley), at 1330, on Thursday 9 May, and afterwards at Phyllis Court.
29 April - Raymond Wood - Honorary Member - R.I.P.
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It is with great sadness that we have to report the death of a doyen of Phyllis Court Croquet Club, Raymond Wood, who died on 21 April.
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Raymond was one of the the main Phyllis Court Club's longest standing members, having joined 46 years ago, along with his beloved Pauline, to whom we extend for deepest condolences.
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Raymond and Pauline were made honorary members of the Croquet Club three years ago, in recognition not of their long-time membership, but for the long-time contributions that they both made for the benefit of others, be that committee work in Pauline's case, and Coaching, Refereeing and team captaincy roles performed over the decades by Raymond.
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Raymond came to croquet on the back of a very successful and good class cricket career in his native Yorkshire, before becoming a chief administrator, and then Chairman, of Berkshire Cricket for many years.
He was a leading member of the Phyllis Court Live Jazz interest group which was only one of many sections for whom he was either Treasurer or Accounts Examiner, and he performed that latter duty for us in the Croquet Club for more than a decade.
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Raymond's croquet achievements are many!
Competitions
Open Doubles - Winner 2012, 2013, 2011 - runner-up 2011
3+ Singles - Winner 2011, 2016 - runner-up 2018
3+ Doubles - Winner 2009, 2011, 2016 - runner-up 2018, 2019
Tournaments
Open Doubles - Winner 2017 - runner-up 2009, 2012
Restricted Dbls. - Winner 2008, 2009 - runner-up 2007
80+ Singles - Winner 2017, 2018
Handicap Sing. - Winner 2014
Chris Roberts
28 April 2024 - Marcel wins National C-Level Series tournament at Sussex
- On a weekend of mixed performances by other Phyllis Court circuit players
Michael Marcel was delighted to win the National C-Level (7+) Series tournament at the Sussex County Croquet Club at Southwick, near Brighton, today. He was undefeated in his three block games and then won through three more knock-out rounds to win the final 7-3 against Fiona Fall of Compton (Eastbourne).
The tournament, like the B-Level series that ran alongside, was compromised when several court were flooded out of action and 7-hoop games (with no jump shots) had to be played to get through the block games in time.
The win, like that of Pete Falle earlier this week (see below) entitles Michael to a place in the National C-Level (7+) Series Final at Watford on 28-29 September. - Congratulations Michael.
Elsewhere this weekend:
National Open Series - Chris Roberts failed to make the cut to the main event at Surbiton and was then waterlogged out on Day 2
National A-Level (0+) Series - Andy Jones failed to make the cut to the main event at East Dorset, but rallied well on Day 2 to win the Plate event.
National B-Level (3+) Series - Alastair Broom failed to make the cut at Sussex County and finished just below his seeding position in 10th.
National B-Level (3+) Series - Patricia Mulcahy answered a less than 24-hours ahead call-up from the reserves list at Sussex County and, although
seeded at number 24, finished in a pleasing 19th.
27 April 2024 - Sign-up now for the GC 10+Evening Series
if you would like to be included in the 10+ Evening Series, which starts in May, please enter via the form on the '10+ Evening Series webpage (click here for that page). Or if you can't do that, please get in touch with Russell Robinson directly.
26 April 2024 - PCC 'A' beat Surbiton 5-2 in National Inter-Club Championship
Phyllis Court scored a second GC National Inter-Club knock-out competition win in two days today, to lay down a marker to their rivals.
For the top tier Inter-Club Championship, history was made when a former World Champion played competitively for the first time at Phyllis Court today.
Stephen Mulliner starred for his Surbiton team after a delayed arrival, but it was an uphill task for the visitors to Henley, as they had to chase the hosts 3-0 lunchtime lead.
The usual opening doubles rubber was put on hold pending Mulliner’s arrival and the number two players’ head-to-head match between Phylliis Court’s Ian Norris and Surbiton’s Alison Maugham, was brought forward from the afternoon.
Norris’ pin-point ball placement and greater tactical experienced allowed him to control the first, in a best of three games 7-5, before Maugham, a top-class association croquet player, could find her golf croquet feet.
Maugham’s decision making and distance shooting was much improved in the second game which she won 2-7, but Norris again out-manoeuvred his opponent in the decider 7-5.
Meanwhile, on an adjoining court, Phyllis Court’s number three and four players, Roger Goldring and Rick Lilley made short work of Surbiton’s Gavin Taylor and Martin Burger, winning 7-3, 7-2 and 7-0, 7-2 respectively.
By the time Mulliner arrived, Phyllis Court was sitting on a 3-0 lead, which he set about rectifying straight away with two well controlled game wins over Phyllis Court number one Chris Roberts, who was frequently reduced to long range clearance attempts.
Roberts lead the second game for some time but when he failed with a difficult slice-shot hoop 6 attempt, the game turned when Mulliner executed a routine short jump shot to score and leave Roberts’ ball hampered in the hoop.
Roberts lost his singles match 4-7, 5-7 but by the time the delayed doubles rubber got underway, both Goldring and Lilley were one game up in their second-round singles matches, with Phyllis Court only needing one more match win.
Lilley provided that fixture winning touch soon enough, with success over Taylor 7-1, 7-4.
Roberts and Norris made a good fight of the doubles before going down 4-7, 5-7 and withthe fixture result in the bag, Goldring iced Phyllis Court’s cake winning 7-4, 7-5 over Burger, for the team match result 5-2.
- A digest of the results is available on Croquet Scores here: https://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/uk-inter-club-championship-phyllis-court-v-surbiton/phyllis-court-vs-surbiton
PCC 'A' team: Chris Roberts (-1), Ian Norris (-1), Roger Goldring (1) Rick Lilley (1)
- PCC 'A' play the winner of Nottingham v Watford (at home) in the next round on a date yet to be decided.
Rick Lilley (above) and Alastair Broom (bellow)
in action today at Ealing. Photos by Chris Roberts
25 April 2024 - PCC '1+' beat Ealing 5-2 in National Inter-Club 'Murphy Shield'
Phyllis Court completed convincing win at Ealing on a bitterly cold, and eventually, rainy day today.
The Inter-Club 'Murphy' Shield is the second tier national knock-out competition and is restricted by handicap, with teams permitted to field one player who has a handicap of 1, the other players must have higher handicaps and the team total must be 8+.
In the morning session, Ealing got off to a good and fast start when Simon Turner brushed aside Phyllis Court's Alastair Broom 0-7, 2-7, but parity was soon restored by the visitors Andy Jones' victory over Jane Powell 7-2, 7-3.
Not surprisingly, the doubles match between players 1 & 2 from each team, was a much longer and closer run affair with most hoops well contested, as both sides took to long, and usually unsuccessful hoop shots, instead of more patient closer positioning.
After more than two hours, Phyllis Court's Rick Lilley and Mike Fensome defeated Ealing's Charlie Sale and Bridget Goodman 7-4, 7-4.
Ealing provided a lovely salad lunch over which the players and three visiting Phyllis Court supporters, President Frances Colman, Chairman Patricia Mulcahy and your author Chris Roberts, mused over the likely afternoon results from the position of a 2-1 lead held by Phyllis Court.
The match looked as if it would being settled in the bottom-half head to head games between the number 3 & 4 players which looked hard to call.
Phyllis Court's Jones had a close first game 7-5 win over Turner and then got well ahead early in the second game to win more easily 7-3, and, with the two senior matches progressing more slowly, eyes fell on the number 4 rubber where both Broom and Powell where hoping to recover from their morning woes.
Broom upped his game the better and must have been delighted to bounce back to win 7-3, 7-3, and in doing so brought home the fixture-winning fourth victory for Phyllis Court.
In the other two head-to-head matches, Lilley and Fensome both won their first games 7-3 and 7-2, but lost the seconds 5-7 and 6-7 to Sale and Goodman respectively, before the rain got heavier and both 'dead' matches were agreed as 'halves'.
- A digest of the results is available on Croquet Scores here: https://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/uk-inter-club-murphy-shield-ealing-v-phyllis-court/ealin-vs-phyllis-court
PCC team: Rick Lilley (1), Mike Fensome (2), Andy Jones (2), Alastair Broom (6)
- The good performances by PCC players Jones and Broom today, saw them complete automatic handicap reductions to 1 and 5 respectively - so congratulations to them for that.
- Phyllis Court play Hurlingham (away) in the next round on a date yet to be decided.
Phyllis Court Croquet Chairman Patricia Mulcahy with winner Pete Falle
(Photo by Chris Roberts)
24 April 2024 - Debutant Falle wins our C-Level (7+) Series
Pete Falle was a revelation at C-level today, despite only answering a call-up from the reserves bench with only an hour's notice.
He won this, his first ever tournament, starting only his third eve competitive game, and he did it with clever play including both tactical awareness and technical mallet skills that belied his short time in the sport.
He lost his first block game to our own Carol Huntington 5-7 and then beat another club mate Rob Eagle 7-5 and Llandaff's Trevor Charlton 7-6, to qualify for the main knock-out alongside block winner Eagle.
Liz Smith was both surprised and delighted to win her block to complete a trio of Phyllis Court players to make the cut to the main knock-out, but unfortunately for us, she and Falle met in the quarter-final.
Falle got the better of a very close match with Smith 7-6, and then beat fellow tournament debutant Gareth Hobby of Caversham 7-5.
Falle's opponent in the final was the undefeated Chris Dochniak from East Dorset, who had looked the class act of the field from her first game, and she started well winning the first tow hoops.
However, the unflustered Falle clawed back that advantage and in a superb display of patient croquet, achieved the rare feat of scoring seven hoops in a row, to win 7-2.
- Falle received an handicap cut to 8 from Club Handicappers Frances Colman and Chris Roberts,
- And with this tournament victory, Fall also qualifies for the end of season National Final of the C-Level (7+) Series.
- Congratulations Pete!
20 April 2024 - PCC AC 7+ draw 1-1 with Blewbury
A close first AC match of the season, ended in a 1-1 draw at Phyllis Court today.
Raghu Iyer controlled the end game of his match well to preserve is +5 lead intil time, against Andrew Pettit, but Frances Colman had it all to do in her last visit to the court, when she needed 4 hoop points to tie.
She went well scoring two of the required three with the intention of making hoop 12 and then pegging her ball out for the crucial levelling point.
Unfortunately, the call of time upset her shot at that last hoop and it game to Blewbury's Andy Robertson +3 (on time).
20 April 2024 - Undefeated Mulcahy wins SCF Handicap 'Champion of Champions' (AC) title - a 'first' for Phyllis Court
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Patricia Mulcahy won 5 out of 5 games toady at Hamptworth today to win the SCF handicap 'Champion of Champions' (AC) title.
She was alate stand-in for the injured Paul Franklin and her victory comes only three days after winning our own Spring Handicap tournament.
Mulcahy's combined efforts this week sees her handicap automatically reduced to 16, so it has been quite a few days for the Phyllis Court Croquet Club Chairman!
- Congratulations Patricia!
19 April 2024 - Essa stars with 4 out of 4 victories as PCC 'D' win the Phyllis Court league derby
PCC 'D 10 - 6 PCC 'C'
Helen Essa was undefeated in the first SCF Advantage League match of the season, which helped her PCC 'D' team to a comfortable 10-6 win over PCC 'C' today.
Rob Eagle was the next top scorer for PCC 'D' with three wins that only Steve Morton could match for PCC 'C'.
PCC 'C' - Patricia Mulcahy (6), Colin Morgan (6), Hugh Crook (7), Steve Morton (8)
PCC 'D' - Ruth Raunkiaer (8), Helen Essa (8), Rob Eagle (10), Daphne Spiers (10)
17 April 2024 - GC Mix-in sets new record attendance
Organiser Hilary Cowley repots that a record breaking 43 players attended the GC mix-in today - Wow!
16 April 2024 - Mulcahy & Smith win our Spring AC Handicap Tournament A & B Classes
Phyllis Court Croquet Chairman Patricia Mulcahy won the 'Senior' event at our AC Handicap Spring tournament, with an unassailable lead at the end of a second day's play today.
She defeated Kevin Ward, Frances Colman and Chris Roberts, with only Roger Goldring preventing a clean sweep of victories.
In the Junior event, Jeff Smith conceded two bisques to the rest of the field, and held off a strong challenge from Helen Essa in the last round of block games, in what had become a de facto final, to win 11-8
AC organiser and committee member Paul Franklin invited Croquet Club President Frances Colman to present that pair of matching 'Barnses Cups' to the winners Mulcahy and Smith.
The full results are on the AC tab in the main menu above.
15 April 2024 - Kevin Ward organises and Jeff Smith fits new units into our pavilion
We now have smart new units under the worktop in our pavilion thanks to:
Kevin Ward (Committee member for Courts and Equipment), who sourced the units (with help from Des Walsh).
Patricia husband Patrick Mulcahy who transported the units from their previous owner's house to PCC.
And we are very grateful to Jeff Smith (pictured) for his time fitting the new units today.
14 April 2024 - PCC trio under achieve at Cheltenham Open
Chris Roberts, Ian Norris and Rick Lilley, all failed to match their pre-event seedings at the Cheltenham Open Series tournament this weekend.
Fifth seed Roberts scraped a qualification from the block stage to main knock-out but fell in the first round to the eventual winner James Death, and came back well later on the second day finish ninth overall in the filed of 32.
Ninth seed Norris missed the cut on a net hoops tie-breaker and only managed 21st place after a series of consolation games, while Lilley who was seeded 20th finished 27th, rounding of an under-achieving weekend for the Phyllis Court trio.
14 April 2024 - Raunkiaer is 5th at the 24-player at Budleigh C-Level Series
Ruth Raunkiaer (photo, left) had a good first tournament outing of the season in Devon today, at Budleigh Salterton C-Level (7+) Series tournament.
She won 3 out of 5 games to finish second in her block and then won 2 more play-off games to finish an impressive 5th overall, in a field of 24.
10 April 2024 - £ 437 raised for The British Heart Foundation at our Charity One Ball
- Falle, Roberts & Wadsworth in 3-way tie for the win -
15 hardy players braved the wind, drizzle and ultimately rain today, all in the aid of this year's Croquet England designated charity, the British Heart Foundation.
All the players wore something red for the day, in a nod to the BHF's house colour.
Their entry fee donations, together with generous contributions from other members playing GC alongside, and others donating from home, amassed another good total of £ 437.50 funds raised (including Gift Aid) from our heat of this national competition and fund raising effort.
Pete Falle was a revelation in his first tournament and 'got' the angles and game process of One Ball (which has the same moves as AC) very quickly, thanks to early doors coaching from Frances Colman; and another to use her handicap bisques (extra turns) to good effect was Carol Wadsworth.
This pair were tied with Chris Roberts on one loss each (against each other), and all won again in the sixth round too, by which time, our large courts were too wet to continue, and a 3-way tie was declared.
Final standings: Pete Falle, Chris Roberts & Carol Wadsworth (all on 5 wins/6 games, 83%), Patricia Mulcahy (3/6, 60%), Robin Coates & Mike Fensome (3/6, 50%), Rick Lilley & Steve Morton (2/5, 40%)
Played less games: Carol Huntington (3/4, 75%), Frances Colman (2/3, 66%), Daphne Spiers 1/2, 50%, Raghu Iyer & Di Pascoe (1/4, 25%), Jeff Smith (1/5, 20%), Michael Seagrief (0/4)
10 April 2024 - Andy Jones attended his first Croquet England International Development Squad weekend
Andy Jones is to be congratulated for being selected for the Croquet England International Development Squad, having impressed the selectors with his improvement progress last season.
Squad membership is for two years and comprises weekend coaching sessions and mentored games with top international players.
Andy attended his first Squad Weekend (just gone) at Wrest Park CC near Bedford.
- Phyllis Court has had an 'ever presence' in the Squad since its inception eight or nine years ago, with Chris Roberts, Roger Goldring, Raouf Allim and Rick Lilley all alumni.
10 April - Anne Norman R.I.P.
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It is with great sadness that we have to report the death of member and former Committee member Anne Norman last week.
Anne was a long-standing and well-known member, both within the Croquet Club and to the wider Phyllis Court membership.
For croquet, she was the organiser of the GC mix-ins for a number of years and was ever-present on these days, chivvying players into playing quartets with a friendly 'encouragement' style that meant dithering between games was kept to a minimum under Anne's watch!
Anne sported a sudden flash of pink colour in her otherwise white hair in recent years and she was instantly recognisable by this distinction, with which she became very well known by the staff as well as other members.
We have lost a good club member who 'gave' more than she took from the Croquet Club, and we will miss her.
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Chris Roberts
08 April 2024 - 🔵🔴⚫🟡 Rainbow Ladder and WhatApp Group 2024, launched today
The 2024 Rainbow ladder is showing under the Social tab (in the main menu above); it is all ready for our registered players to start booking courts and enjoying games to climb the ladder.
Members from this years intake are joining in so please welcome them and offer a game. Have fun and enjoy our lovely courts.
If your interested in joining the Rainbow group, which is aimed at players with a handicap of 10+, to promote the arranging ofsocial single games, please contact Hilary Cowley using the Contact List on the website.
08 April 2024 - New Ultra hoops installed at Phyllis Court
Members playing on Courts 1 & 2 today will enjoy the experience of our brand new Ultra hoops which debuted at our weekend tournament (see below).
Ultra hoops are more sturdy than our previous hoops thanks to their more substantial 'carrots' (the pointy section that is below the court surface) and this will combat the weak and often damp soil that saw our hoops often loose and 'floppy'.
Enjoy everyone!
08 April 2024 - Next 4 pass their Beginners Training Course
Coach Julia Green is pleased to report that - Keith Elliott. Jenny Copeland, Mark Wilkins & Alison Mead
are the latest of the 'Class of 2024' to successfully their Beginners Training Course.
- PCC's Helen Fensome (2md) & Roger Goldring (3rd), flank winner Paul Gunn of Wingrave (by Chris Roberts)
- Plate winner PCC's Mike Fensome, with runner-up Bridget Goodman
(by Sharon Clark)
07 April 2024 - Helena Fensome is runner-up in our A-Level tournament - & Mike Fensome wins the Plate
Our first National Tournament of the season: A-Level (0+) Series tournament jointly hosted by High Wycombe
Day 2 - Roger Goldring, Rick Lilley & Helena Fensome (playing as Jansson) - all won their quarter final matches in the main knock-out, to crowd the semi-finals with home players on a cold and very windy day at Phyllis Court today.
In the first semi, Goldring fell to defending title holder Paul Gunn in straight games 5-7, 3-7, perhaps feeling the effects of the long day of action previous yesterday.
And in the 'all Phyllis Court' semi, Jansson showed good patience to beat Lilley 7-5, 3-7, 7-5.
Goldring then beat Lilley in a single game 10-4 to decide third place alongside the Jansson v Gunn final.
Gunn controlled both games will in an impressive performance and was rewarded by the presentation of the 'Zero Plus' trophy by PC Croquet Club Chairman Patricia Mulcahy.
Mulcahy and Gunn both thanked President Frances Colman and Chris Roberts for their management and refereeing throughout the weekend.
Meanwhile, in the consolation event at High Wycombe, Mike Fensome lost just once in his 7 block games to win the Plate trophy on 'net hoops' from Surbiton's Bridget Goodman, at the end of a very long day that didn't conclude until after 1900.
One suspects that there was some celebrating in the Fensome household this evening.
The full tournament results are on Croquet Scores via this link - https://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/uk-a-level-0-series-at-phyllis-court-high-wycombe
06 April 2024 - Goldring, Lilley & H. Fensome qualify for A-Level knock-out - end of Day 1
Our first National Tournament of the season: A-Level (0+) Series tournament jointly hosted by High Wycombe
Day 1 - Three of our club mates - Roger Goldring, Helena Fensome and Rick Lilley all qualified from today's blocks, to compete in tomorrow's main knock-out stage at Phyllis Court.
Goldring had the best of days, won 6 of his 7 games, to win the High Wycombe block, and will be joined from there by Helena Fensome (playing as Jansson) on 4 wins.
In the Phyllis Court block, Lilley was undefeated in the morning but lost his mo-jo after lunch and won only once more, but it was a crucial win taking him to a qualifying third place.
Mike Fensome was another who faded after lunch and he missed-out on the qualifying mark by one victory, so will play in the Plate event at High Wycombe tomorrow.
Do come along to see the good standard players ion show in this tournament - the action starts at 0930.
If you can't attend in person, you can follow and fortunes of our players' results as they come in on Croquet Scores via this link -
https://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/uk-a-level-0-series-at-phyllis-court-high-wycombe
5 April - Sonia Birkholm R.I.P.
It is with great sadness I have to report the death of our member, Sonia Birkholm, who passed away peacefully at the Royal Berkshire Hospital at tea time yesterday, following a stroke a few days ago. Her illness was very unexpected; she had only just moved into her beautiful new cottage and had just bought a new mallet in preparation for enjoying a summer's croquet. It was a great pleasure for me to have taught her to play the game only last Spring because she was always such a happy and cheerful soul. So although she was a member of the croquet club for such a short time, she will be fondly remembered and sorely missed by many of us, especially her friends at mix-in, where she was very popular, always had a smile on her face and enjoyed her croquet so much. Sonia's daughter-in-law, Karen, has expressed to me her many, many thanks to her fellow players in the club who made her feel so welcome. Our thoughts are with Karen and the rest of Sonia's family at this very sad time.
​
Russell Robinson
02 April 2024 - DRAWS ANNOUNCED for our season-long competitions
Click the 'GC Comps' button above to discover your first opponenet(s)
02 April 2024 - Members' own Mike Percival mallets arrive
Mallet maker Mike Percival delivered most of the recently ordered (17) new mallets.
And here they are ready for collection from Chris Roberts - call him on 07973 787710.
01 April 2024 - Good spectator opportunity coming up at the weekend (6 & 7 April)
This weekend sees the hosting of our first National Tournament of the season - in the A-Level (0+) Series.
Do come along to see the good standard players in action in this tournament that is being jointly hosted by High Wycombe.
Four Phyllis Court players are taking part and on Saturday:
Rick Lilley and Mike Fensome are in block A at Phyllis Court.
Roger Goldring and Helena Fensome (playing as Jansson) are in block B at High Wycombe.
The action starts at 0930,
If you can't attend in person, you can follow and fortunes of our players' results as they come in on Croquet Scores via this link -
https://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/uk-a-level-0-series-at-phyllis-court-high-wycombe
01 April 2024 -WHITES make a return from today
The croquet season proper was heralded in this morning with the traditional 1 April return of white clothing.
In glorious sunshine, all four courts saw a mixture of GC and AC action first thing, and more croquet also beat the rain until 1400.
01 April 2024 -10+ Competition entries deadline extended
The deadline for the 10+ Singles and Doubles season=long competitions has been extended to allow this year's new beginners a chance to participate.
- there is a link to an entry form on the front page.
The other competitions are now being finalised and the draws will be displayed on the 'GC Comps' pages from tomorrow afternoon (see the 'GC Comps' button in the menu at the top of this page).
25 March 2024 - 8 pass Beginners Training Courses today - congratulations!
Eight of our newest members 'passed-out' of their 4-Classes Beginners Training Courses today and will soon be playing alongside existing members, attending the mix-ins, etc.
So, it is congratulations to:
(Coach) Dee McKibbin's class: Chris Ball, Susie Dugid, Sheila Evans & Catherine McEntee
and
(Coach) Ruth Raunkiaer's class: Sandra Lee, Stuart Lee, John Macland & Eileen Macland.
19 March 2024 - PCC 'A' slump to defeat under Roehampton's floodlights
PCC 'A'' were well beaten at Roehampton this evening, going down 1.5 to 8.5, but enjoyed the experience of floodlit croquet all the same.
Roehampton got off to a good start by winning both the senior and junior doubles rubbers and turned the screw in the second round with victories in 3 of the 4 reverse seend songles.
Phyllis Court's only win came from Chris Roberts who defeated Nick Yeats 7-4.
With the match score at 1-5, PCC A' needed to win all of the last round's 'best of threes' to tie the match.
But Ian Norris lost two close games to Roehampton's Yeats, Roger Goldring also lost in straight games to Diana Wilson, before Helena Fensome and the hosts' Dan Pearson decided to 'half' their match at 1-1, leaving Roberts and Roehampton's Tim Russel to fight out a tight match that went Russell's way at the 13th hoop of the decoding game.
PCC 'A' - Chrsi Roberts (-1), Ian Norris (-1), Roger Goldring (1), Helena Fensome (1).
Frances Colman and Chris Roberts in AC doubles action
at Somerset West CC, South Africa (by David H Boyd)
10 March 2024 - Roberts & Colman miss finals at end of South African trip
Chris Roberts and Frances Colman were beaten by local pair Peter Dreyer and Sylvia Short in the semi-finals of the GC Doubles event as the Rainbow International Tournament drew to a close here at the Somerset West CC (near Cape Town) in South Africa.
Roberts bowed out of the Singles event, in which her had earlier won ten straight games before stuttering to 1-2 losses in his later 'best of three' matches, to qualify for the knock-out stage in third pace in his block.
He came up against top seed Neil McHardy from the Kelvin Grove Club in cape Town, which coincidentally is a reciprocal club with Phyllis Court, and the pair battle for a 3.5 hour quarter-final which McHardy won 3-7, 7-6, 4-7 on his way to the final , which was won on the 13th hoop of the deciding game by South African international Judith Hanekom.
- Summary:
Roberts - AC Open, semi-finalist
Colman - AC 'B' Class, runner-up
Roberts - AC Handicap, runner-up
Both - AC Handicap Doubles, 3rd place
Roberts - GC Rainbow International, quarter-finalist
Both - GC Rainbow International Doubles, semi-finalist
- All the results are posted on Croquet Scores - see the coloured links in previous news items below
8 March 2024 - Roberts qualifies for Singles knock-out at GC 'Rainbow international' in South Africa
With one last block match to come this morning (Friday) , Roberts has already done enough to reach the knock-out stage of the Singles event.
He faces his 'most frequent opponent' in Lionel Tibble from Northampton, in a match kley decide who comes 2nd & 4th in the block, with the prize for the winner being a probable softer quarter-final tie.
The GC Singles results are posted on Croquet Scores here - https://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/the-rainbow-international/open-singles-block-b
3 March 2024 - Roberts & Colman paly well on Day 2 at the GC 'Rainbow international' in South Africa - and qualify for the Doubles semis
Roberts and Colman players much beater toady and won 5 out of 6 of there doubles block games to qualify in second place for the semi-finals at he end of the week.
Colman's relentless good ball placement was a feature of the days' play, and in combination with Roberts 'on song' consistent (and hard) clearances, its hard to remember the pair having played a better day's GC.
They beat pairs from Switzerland, Spain, Guilford and two from the England/South Africa combinations, with their best being a thumping 10-5 over Jim Filed (2) and Glynis Davies (2).
Their only loss was by 9-10 to Peter Dreyer (-1) & Sylvia Short (1) when the former pulled off a great mid-range jump shot at the 19th hoop).
8 wins from 10 games, secured a second place finish in the block and the avoiding of top seeds Tibble & Town in the semis.
See the GC Doubles results on Croquet Scores here - https://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/the-rainbow-international/open-doubles
Tomorrow, sees the start of the GC Singles event - Roberts is third seed and in Block B, whilst Colman is the Tournament Referee.
You will be able follow the GC Singles results as they come in on Croquet Scores here - https://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/the-rainbow-international/open-singles-block-b
2 March 2024 - Roberts & Colman have good Day 1 at the GC 'Rainbow international' in South Africa
The GC 'Rainbow International' tournament stared today tomorrow (Saturday) with Roberts and Colman wearing the Phyllis Court 'blue' for two days of level play doubles.
The programme is a block of 11 pairs, playing a mammoth 'all play all' (10) 19-point games format, which in 'normal' conditions would be a challenge enough, but in temperature in the high 20's, it was a real trial.
Roberts (-2) and Colman (2) had a bye in the first round and then were thrashed 2-10 by top seeds Lionel Tibble (-2) & Mike Town (-2), but recovered to at least win their remaining three games today, to stay on course for a top four finish and qualification for the semi-finals later in the week.
A tougher test is lined-up for tomorrow when our pair have now fewer than 6, 19-point games to play!
You will be able follow the GC Doubles results as they come in on Croquet Scores here - https://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/the-rainbow-international/open-doubles
1 March 2024 - Roberts & Colman finish AC well in South Africa
Chris Roberts and Frances Colman have been in 'down time' between tournaments' this week at Somerset West, about an hour's drive east from Cape Town South Africa.
They both performed well last week in the Western Province AC tournament, where Roberts (AC handicap 0) beat three 'minus' players and was undefeated in his block after 6 games.
He was then unfortunate to draw top seed Mike Town (AC -1.5) in the semi-finals and went down narrowly 26-20.
Frances Colman (AC 9) also did well, playing her first games since a hand operation before Christmas and was runner-up in her B-Class, which included taking a game off Paul Swaffield (AC 5).
Roberts and Colman paired up in the Handicap Doubles Doubles and finishes third.
See the AC results on Croquet Scores here - https://croquetscores.com/2024/ac/western-province-croquet-association-championships/open-singles
1 March 2024 - Jump shot area gets some grass
Despite the incessant rain, good progress is being made on preparing the new jump shot area, which has now been turfed. Please do not walk on this newly laid turf!
(photo by Paul Franklin)
27 February 2024 - Jumping for Joy
The more intrepid and observant of you may have noticed the bare patch of earth that has appeared at the end of Court 3. Much as it may look otherwise at the moment, we are not about to plant a rice paddy field. This is the start of the construction of our new jump shot area, which weather permitting we hope will be ready for use by early April. Don't worry, you don't have to jump from end to end - not to start with, anyway!
(photos by Kevin Ward)
18 February 2024 - All courts waterlogged today
Heavy overnight rain left all our courts with standing water showing today - the prospects for play tomorrow seem slim (photo by Paul Franklin)
13 February 2024 - Patricia & Paul tidy our pavilion and now it look bigger!
Chairman Patricia Mulcahy and fellow committee member Paul Franklin did a great job in tidying up our pavilion today.
2 February 2024 - Members flock to fill coaching classes for 14+ handicappers
As fast as Coaches Ruth Raunkiaer and Dee Mckibbin can add new coaching classes for our higher handicapped members, they get filled within hours.
Classes totally 32 places have been snapped-up as soon as each has been announced and still the demand has outstripped supply.
A waiting list in place pending the possibility of more dates being offered.
It was the same story earlier this week with all 16 places in 4 classes offered by GC Grade 2 coach Helena Fensome for players in the 6-9 range.
1 February 2024 - 30 members set GC mix-in attendance record for February!
The twin draws of a beautifully sunny and warm winter day, coupled with having been deprived the opportunity to play, combined to attract a 'winter record' 30 members to todays GC mix-in session.
Photos by Hilary Cowley and Chris Roberts.
30 January 2024 - Croquet play returns to Phyllis Court at last!
Play returned to our courts at last today after four weeks of flooding and freezing, with the happy consequence that the former occurrence has, by early accounts at least, evened-out the humps and hollows somewhat.
Court bookings have picked-up this week as the weather has taken a warmer turn, and the sight of players back in action will doubtless encourage more members to join in.
- Courts may be booked up to 2 weeks in advance, so check for vacancies on the booking sheets (click on the 'Book' tab in the menu above) and send your requests to Chris Roberts as usual at info@kickphoto.co.uk
28 January 2024 - The Rumfords got to play croquet today - in the Cayman Islands!
There was still no play possible at soggy Phyllis Court today but John and Sue Rumford got a game in aboard their cruise ship!
27 January 2024 - Very heavy frost this morning and probable waterlogging afterwards - no play until at least 1200
Photos at 0800 today, by Paul Franklin
16 January 2024 - Courts frozen solid as predicted (pretty though)
'Temperature to -7 overnight
Photo at 1030 today, by Chris Roberts
14 January 2024 - No Play until further notice - due to fragile ground and expected frozen courts all week conditions
Kevin Ward is i/c Courts on the Committee and is in liaison with Mark the Groundsman.
Flood waters have now receded, the Thames water level is also reduced and we can see the grass on our courts again.
In consultation with our Chairman, Patricia Mulcahy, a decision on the courts was taken this morning:
With freezing temperatures forecast overnight, and frozen courts expected all week - There will be NO PLAY until further notice.
Ground conditions will continue to be monitored - please keep checking the courts booking pages for updates
14 January 2024 - "Happy 90th birthday Brian" - two Presidents together
Our President, Frances Colman, was on hand today to wish Past-President Brian Bucknall a very happy 90th birthday.
Brian was celebrating his landmark with wife Celia and their extended family, with lunch in the private dining room at Phyllis Court where Brian has been a member for 47 years!
Chairman, Patricia Mulcahy, and other committee members who had met in the bar this morning, sent a bottle of champagne into Brian's celebration on behalf of the Croquet Club and organised the photo of the past and current Presidents together.
09 January 2024 - The water table is still very high
'Reflections of Phyllis Court'
Photo by John Rumford
8 January 2024 - Thony-Beth Johansen R.I.P.
It is with regret that I have to inform you of the death of our former long-standing member Mrs Thony-Beth Johassen.
A notice on the main club notice board says that she passed away on 31 December.
We extend our condolences to her husband and current member Terje (TJ) at this saddest of times.
Patricia Mulcahy, Chairman, Phyllis Court Croquet Club
08 January 2024 - There will be no play until 13th January at the very earliest.
How about this almost surreal image from the camera of our Chairman this evening!
Photo by Patricia Mulcahy
by Patricia Mulcahy, 8 January
07 January 2024 (AFTERNOON) - ALL COURTS FLOODED
Water table still rising - now above hoop height on Court 4.
Photos by Chris Roberts, taken at 1230 this afternoon.
by Chris Roberts, 7 January
07 January 2024 - ALL COURTS FLOODED
Water table higher than yesterday.
Photos by Paul Franklin, taken at 0730 this morning.
by Paul Franklin, 7 January
05 & 06 January 2024 - NO PLAY today - Heightened Thames water table sees lakes on Courts 3 & 4, and others very waterlogged
​
by Paul Franklin, 6 January
