29/11/19 End of Season Social For the second year running the social was held at St Catherine’s Hall with an attractive ‘bring and share’ buffet showcasing members’ culinary skills which tempted everyone to eat a little too much! Stephen Mulliner kindly presented the trophies to the winners of this year’s club competitions and a CA Diploma to Jennifer Fugeman, former club secretary. Mike Huxley confounded members with a challenging quiz (well he is a Prof!) which quiz addicts and novices puzzled their brains over between socialising and dining. Our thanks to the committee for organising a most enjoyable occasion and especially to Roseann Sullivan and Ron Piper who slipped out quietly and did all the washing up.
01/11/19 SECF League results 2019:
AC U League – G&G =11th of 14 teams
GC Handicap League (West) – G&G Team A – 4th and G&G Team B – joint 11th of 16 teams
18/10/19 Quiz Evening G&G held its second fund raising quiz evening on Friday 18 October at the Wilfrid Noyce Centre, Godalming. 109 participants enjoyed a quiz and a splendid tapas-style supper. Special thanks go to Ian and Jan Honeysett for setting the quiz and to the organising team. An outstanding £1700 was raised to support lawn improvements.’ Our thanks also go to Julie Tremble, the driving force behind this event.
15/10/19 EARS Finals This year’s GC singles two life knockout competition has been won by Mike Huxley. Whilst Mike has a number of titles to his credit this is the first time, he has won this competition. Congratulations go to Mike on his win and also to Julie Tremble who proved to be a strong opponent both in the final and one of the semi-finals.
06/10/19 GC Summer Leagues Congratulations to Julie Tremble on winning the Handicap League and also to Andrew Jackson and Sarah Patton who were joint runners up. The Level Play League was won by Andrea Huxley with Jan Honeysett a close second; our congratulations to both.
20/09/19 Jennifer Fugeman Awarded CA Diploma Congratulations to Jennifer Fugeman, former secretary of the club who has been awarded a CA Diploma in recognition of her long-standing contribution to the club and to the sport of croquet. Amongst many other things, Jennifer was instrumental in raising the funds for the clubhouse and lawn developments.
16/09/19 AC Handicap Knockout Congratulations to Ian Fugeman on winning the 2019 AC singles knockout in a tightly contested finals match against Stephen Stuart-Matthews, a previous 3-times winner.
16/09/19 All England GC Handicap Final Fred Bell reports that it was a very hard tournament with a large number of low handicap contestants. He won four matches, lost six and had one bye and one tie. After two days hard competition Fred had a punishing 6-hour drive back from Camerton & Peasedown. He did, however, have the satisfaction of having won his match against the eventual winner of the tournament.
10/09/19 Pat’s Plate Final Congratulations to Michael Clarke on winning the 2019 AC singles block competition and also to Chris Stiff, the runner up.
08/09/19 GC B-level National Series Final The final, held over two days, was hosted this year by G&G. Two members of our club, Andrea Huxley and Julie Tremble, had qualified for the final and to the delight of members both played consistently well throughout the event. Our congratulations go to both Andrea on winning the event and to Julie who was placed fourth.
05/09/19 JAWS Final Congratulations to Chris Heath and Ron Piper on winning the 2019 GC Doubles Knockout Competition.
01/09/09 All England AC Handicap Regional Final Congratulations to Chris Stiff on being the joint winner of the regional final held at Surbiton over the weekend. Chris won 4 of his 5 matches only missing out against the manager (minus 1 handicap) who was playing to make up the numbers.
31/08/19 GC A/B-level One-day Open Tournament – The CARA Cup A full complement of 16 turned out on a fine day apart from a rogue shower of about 15 minutes in the afternoon. Competition was fierce and difficult, with very firm hoops and extremely fast lawns. Qualifiers advancing to the knockout from the morning groups were: Tony Butcher, John Skuse, Neil Humphreys, Gavin Taylor, Andrea Huxley, Richard Carline, Louise Taylor and Martin Burger. Richard was attempting a hat trick of wins in the competition, and advanced to the final by beating Louise Taylor in the semi. Meanwhile, Tony won the other semi against Neil Humphreys. Richard made a very neat jump to level at 1-1 and hoops were shared until 4-4. Richard missed a crucial clearance at that point, enabling Tony, with his unusual but effective crouching style, to go 5-4 up. Thereafter, Tony took charge and closed out the game 7-4. An excellent and absorbing final, Congratulations to Tony on winning 6 games out of 6 and earning a thoroughly deserved win.
30/08/19 Woking GC C-level Tournament Hilary Bird won and so qualified to play in the National C-level Series Final to be held in September. Congratulations to Hilary on her success. We wish Hilary and Sarah Patton, who qualified through another tournament, every success in the final.
28/08/19 Longman Cup v St Albans Having progressed to the quarter-final for the first time in some years the G&G team of Ian Fugeman, John Gosden, Andrew Fewster and Chris Stiff travelled north to play against St Albans at their nominated home ground of Wrest Park. The St Alban’s team comprising some relatively high handicap players, using their forests of coloured bisques to good effect, maintained their impressive performance of previous rounds. Only the last game raised hopes of G&G winning a game, but this was not to be – as time approached Ian’s opponent made what proved to be the deciding hoop. Result – a total whitewash! Our thanks to Wrest Park for their hospitality to players and spectators and for their work in setting up the lawns.
26/08/19 GC Handicap Doubles Tournament at Hurlingham. Mike Huxley and his partner Gavin Taylor (Surbiton) overcame the blistering heat (33C) and unrelenting sunshine to win Hurlingham’s annual August Bank Holiday GC handicap doubles tournament. Mike reports that it is a popular event, fun to play and one he recommends members enter next year. Our congratulations to the two Englishmen aka ‘mad dogs’.
21/08/19 Murphy Shield Sadly our team came up short in the semi-final of the Murphy Shield. Julie Tremble won a match in the morning and Andrea Huxley won one in the afternoon. However, with the last match in progress our team could not win the semi-final; time was called on Mike Huxley’s game which was finely poised and deemed a draw. It was still a very nice day. Lovely weather, nicely maintained lawns and pleasant company. We wish them well in the final and look forward to next year!
21/08/19 Mid-Surrey Federation of Townswomen’s Guilds Once again the club had the pleasure of hosting The TWG’s annual croquet day. It was a beautiful sunny day for croquet and the traditional picnic lunch. After 44 games of friendly but competitive croquet the trophy was won by ‘The Farnham Few’.
19/08/19 Inter-Counties GC Championships Mike and Andrea Huxley played for Surrey at the weekend. Surrey had been promoted from Division 2 to division 1 last year. The main aim was to avoid immediate relegation. Thankfully, they finished 9th out of 12 and with only two teams being relegated managed to achieve the aim.
17/08/19 SECF AC U League v Roehampton our opponents had a strong team who all played well in the morning winning all three games. G&G fought back in the afternoon winning two games but narrowly losing in the other two. Roehampton were deserved winners on the day. Many thanks indeed from all players on both teams to Anne and Jay for making a delicious and wholesome lunch. And thank you to Fred Bell for adding the wine! And finally, thanks to Ian Fugeman for making the arrangements. (SS-M) Match result: G&G 2: Roehampton 5
16/08/19 SECF GC Handicap League Team A v Cheyney Match result: G&G A 5: Cheyney 4
11/08/19 SECF GC Team Day at Southwick Many congratulations to our team on their impressive performance in this year’s GC Team Day. Our team came 2nd in the singles and 5th in the doubles out of 22 teams. Despite gale force/monsoon conditions on the Saturday, the Sunday saw us with pretty reasonable weather. Plenty of wind, some sun but no rain at Southwick, although there was plenty of debris on the lawns. Our team: Peter Gill, Robert Bateson, Fred Bell and Hilary Bird, did well in the doubles rounds, winning 3 out of 4 matches. In the singles we won 9 out of 12 matches. Unfortunately, due to computer problems, we didn’t find out where we were placed, however we felt we had done well. It was a most enjoyable day, and, interesting to note, this is the single biggest tournament in THE WORLD, in terms of numbers of players! Well done team, we did our club proud! (HB)
08/08/19 SECF GC Handicap League Team B v Woking The team played its final match of the season at home to Woking. After the first two rounds it was level pegging, but Woking managed to take one more game in the final round to narrowly win the match. Match result: G&G 4: Woking 5.
07/08/19 Friendly GC match v Caversham Julie Tremble, Jan Honeysett, Andrew Jackson and Hilary Bird really enjoyed themselves in this very relaxing and entertaining GC friendly match. G&G won narrowly 5 games to 4 with neither side deterred by the onset of heavy rain as lunchtime approached. It is good to see friendly matches being arranged after a lapse in recent years.
03/08/19 GC B-level One-day Tournament The MARE Cup Having already won two national series B-level tournaments Andrea Huxley notched up her third success in the series when she won the MARE Cup on home ground at the weekend. Andrea has, of course, already qualified for the national final which is being held at our club in September. We wish her success in the final.
29/07/19 SECF GC Handicap League Team A v West Wittering Unfortunately the host’s lawns had been damaged by bird attacks and the grass was unusually long making it difficult for the G&G team, who are used to traditionally mown fast courts, to adjust to the playing conditions. Match result: G&G 3: West Wittering 6
27/07/19 Chris Stiff qualifies for AC All England Handicap Area Finals Congratulations to Chris who has qualified to represent the club at the area finals to be held at Surbiton. The club qualifier was held in conjunction with a day dedicated to AC games including handicap and advanced level play. Players equipped with waterproofs and umbrellas were undeterred by the morning rain.
25/07/19 The Qualifying Tournament for the 2019 Golf Croquet World Championship was held at G&G over four days in testing conditions: soaring temperatures, fast courts and rock-hard hoops. 24 competitors were divided into two all-play-all blocks. The top six from each block went on to play in two final blocks and from these seven players qualified to play in the Golf Croquet World Championship. After four days play in temperatures of 30+ degrees C qualifiers have just one rest day before the Championship play begins. Thank you to Stephen Mulliner, Tournament Manager, and to all members of G&G whose efforts made this such a successful event. Hilary – the ice lollies were greatly appreciated!
17/07/19 SECF Ladies GC Teams Day Our ladies team enjoyed a successful and very pleasant away day to Southwick. The sun shone, the lawns were lovely, the food delicious and the company was excellent. G&G had a great run, winning all 6 matches. Reigate similarly had won all six matches and so everything hinged on the last game. In a nail-biting finish, Reigate pipped us to the post by winning one more game than us, so we came second out of 14 teams! Well done to Roseanne Sullivan, Jay Bentley, Anne Buckingham, Sarah Patton and Hilary Bird (HB)
13/07/19 Longman Cup v Harwell On a hot day with very fast lawns and challenging hoop approaches only one game went to peg. A large difference between the teams’ handicaps resulted in G&G giving away a total of 56 bisques. The G&G team of Ian Fugeman, Fred Bell, Chris Stiff and Andrew Fewster were in a dominant position at lunch time with 3 wins, but the afternoon saw some very close games. Ian and Peter Allan’s match was a draw as the timer sounded; play continued and the golden hoop was eventually won by Peter. Tom Griffin (Hcp 20) impressed all with 4 peels. With each team on 3 wins it was down to Andrew’s game to decide the outcome; Andrew overtook Roy Platon in the later stages to win the game and so the match. The team will meet St Albans in the next round. Thank you to Anne and Jay for their excellent catering. Match result: G&G 4: Harwell 3
08/07/19 Murphy Shield v Hamptworth Many congratulations to our team on winning their quarter final against Hamptworth. The day was sunny and dry and G&Gs lawns fast and challenging. Mike Thompson and Andrea Huxley started the ball rolling by winning the doubles match in two straight games while Mike Huxley and Julie Tremble played the two singles matches. When we stopped for lunch, the score was 2-1 to the home team. Thanks to Jan for the Indian-themed lunch which was just what was needed to gear us up for the afternoon’s play. In the round of singles matches the team had varying degrees of success. Mike Thompson lost his games having faced stiff opposition while Andrea struggled to a win over three games. Mike Huxley and Julie sailed through with convincing wins in straight games. The team goes on to meet East Dorset in the semi-final. Match result: G&G 5: Hamptworth 2
07/07/19 AC B-level Advanced Open Weekend Tournament There were eight competitors, including last year’s winner (Martin Burger). Fast lawns and challenging hoops took some getting used to, and a number of games ran to time. Competition was tight and, with five rounds played, two competitors were tied on 4 wins. In the end, one of them pulled away to finish on 5 wins out of 6 and secure the trophy. Congratulations to Nick Archer (Watford) who just pipped Keith Pound (Wycombe) who finished on 4/6 and was presented with the Frank Rendall Trophy, (MH)
03/07/19 SECF GC Handicap League Team A v West Worthing The team’s second match of the season was at home against West Worthing. After an inauspicious first round losing both doubles games the team found its form and went on to win the match decisively. Team: Andrea Huxley, Jan Honeysett, Ron Piper and Andrew Jackson. Match result: G&G A 7: West Worthing 2
02/07/19 B-level GC Weekend Open Competition at Hamptworth On an extremely hot day the format of the tournament comprised two blocks each of 8 players with all playing all within the block. The three G&G players, Andrea Huxley, Jan Honeysett and Julie Tremble all did well and qualified for the quarter final round to be played at the start of day two. Jan and Julie were unfortunately beaten in their quarter-final matches against very tough opposition. Andrea won through to the semi-finals and then to the final against Lynn Pearcey from Roehampton. The final match was a best of 3 games with Andrea scoring 7-6, 6-7, 7-4 to win the tournament. Well done to all three players who were a credit to the club. (AMH)
28/06/19 SECF GC Handicap League Team B v Compton It was scorching hot for the G&G B tie with Compton (Eastbourne). After the first round we were 1 all, and after the second round 3 all. So, it was all to play for in round 3. Happily, we won all 3 games and so won the match. The team consisted of Julie Tremble (player of the match, as she won all 3 of her games!), Peter Gill, Anne Buckingham, Jay Bentley and Hilary Bird. The afternoon was rounded off by a simply delicious tea provided by Bernice Miles – much needed and appreciated by all. (HB) Match result: G&G 6: Compton 3
24/06/19 SECF GC Handicap League Team A v Dogmersfield It was good to welcome back some old opponents to the club. We always have close encounters and this one was no exception. Honours were even going into the last round and the result hung on the outcome of the final doubles game which was won by Andrea and Sarah helped by the one bisque each they received from their opponents. Lunch followed – we were able to sit outside in the warm and were well fed by Hilary who provided an excellent buffet. Congratulations to the team: Andrea Huxley, Mike Huxley, Robert Bateson and Sarah Patton. Match result: G&G A 5: Dogmersfield 4
19/06/19 Golf Croquet C-level One-day Open Tournament Congratulations to Sarah Patton on winning the MaD Cup and qualifying to play in the National C-Level Series final later this year. Sarah is on a winning streak having also won the Handicap Tournament at the weekend and her handicap is rapidly tumbling.
15/06/19 SECF AC U League v Ealing The team reported that they enjoyed both the match and the hospitality offered by Ealing although the result was rather disappointing. Match result: G&G 2: Ealing 5
15/06/19 Golf Croquet One-Day Handicap Tournament The 7th competition for PJ’s Pot – GC Handicap Singles – was won by Sarah Patton with a 100% record in winning 6 games out of 6. “Bandit” you might say, but the win wasn’t only secured by the extra turns she received. She impressed with some excellent clearances and running of hoops from longish distances. Her handicap is now down to 9. Congratulations too to Delia Norris (Phyllis Court) and Phil Davies (Reigate Priory) who each won 4 out of 6, Delia just pipping Phil to gain the runner-up spot by virtue of slightly better net hoops. (MH) Photo 106
05/06/19 Murphy Shield v Cheam Todays’ home match saw G&G faced familiar opposition, so it was a fun match played in good spirit. The morning round saw Mike Thompson and Andrea Huxley win the doubles in two straight games while Mike Huxley and Julie Tremble played singles. 2-1 to G&G at the lunch break. The afternoon games were 4 singles matches. While playing it was unclear how other team members were doing so each felt the pressure of having to win for the team. Mixed results gave two more wins to each side taking G&G through to the next round with a result of 4 games to 3. Thanks to Hilary for providing a splendid lunch. And congratulations to our Murphy Team on reaching the quarter finals against Hamptworth. Match result: G&G 4: Cheam 3
04.06.19 SECF GC Handicap League Team B v Littlehampton The second match of the season was away to Littlehampton. The weather was inauspicious and adjusting to the unfamiliar lawns an issue. Match result: G&G B 3: Littlehampton 6
01/06/19 SECF AC U League v Hampstead Heath As last year, Hampstead Heath fielded a team including players of national standard with handicaps of -1½ and +½ who coped with the demanding lawns on the hottest day of the year with ease. With one match left to finish a result of 5:2 or 4:3 was in the balance with both Stephen Stuart-Matthews and Phil Cordingley close to pegging out. Time sounded with Stephen one point ahead; Phil came on, ran the last hoop to make it even and then hit the peg with his rover ball forgetting that in Handicap play both balls must be rover. Stephen returned to the lawn and seized the opportunity to score and win the game. Match result: G&G 3: Hampstead Heath 4
30/05/19 GC All England Handicap Congratulations to Fred Bell, who won the qualifying tournament to represent the club at the All-England GC Handicap Area finals. It was a closely fought tournament, decided by the result of the last match. With 4 of the competitors on 3 wins out of 5, the winner was only declared after net hoops were calculated. (HB)
20/05/19 SECF GC Handicap League Team B v Lodsworth Team B played its first match of the season against Lodsworth and with the teams well matched the games were more closely contested than the overall results suggest. Match result: G&G 3: Lodsworth 6
19/05/19 SECF AC Team Doubles Eight teams competed in this year’s AC team doubles weekend hosted by Southwick. Each team played 10 matches with five of the teams achieving six wins. Medway emerged as overall winner on the basis of additional criteria. G&G won 3 matches, but the team enjoyed the weekend with good weather on excellent lawns.
12/05/19 One-ball Charity Handicap Final Stephen Stuart-Matthews reports that this year a record sum of £6,000 was raised for the Alzheimer’s charity. Sadly, the trophy eluded Stephen once again; however, he won a bottle of bubbly as the competitor with the highest two ball break of the day (9 points). So, no dusting of the decanter this year but rather a relaxing evening, glass in hand.
09/05/19 GC B-Level Tournament Ryde IOW Congratulations to Andrea Huxley who won the competition and to Julie Tremble in her first singles competition outside of G&G who came a creditable fourth.
05/05/19 AC Open Challenge Cup (Advanced Association) Congratulations to Jamie Burch who successfully defended his title against 13 other competitors over the weekend tournament. Jamie had a clean sweep winning all his matches.
05/05/19 Murphy Shield v Watford G&G progressed to the next round having beaten Watford 5 matches to 2 at home. They will meet either Cheam or Hurlingham in the next round. Team: Mike Huxley, Andrea Huxley, Mike Thompson and Julie Tremble.
19/04/19 Longman Cup v Bristol Our first-round match was away to Bristol on Good Friday with clear blue skies and temperatures in the 20s. Matches were double banked and with a 3¼ hour time limit the majority went to time. At lunch having won a singles and the doubles the score was 2:1 to G&G, with 4 singles still to play the result could go either way. By late afternoon, Bristol were holding their own and the timers for all games were sounding; Chris Stiff then won his singles match but Bristol won two others so with just one game left to finish it was 3 games each. All eyes turned to the final match -the timer had rung, and the players’ scores were equal. A tense few minutes followed as each player tried again and again to gain a final point until Ian, keeping his cool and a steady hand, achieved the golden hoop to win the game and so the match. Congratulations to the team: Chris Stiff, Ian Fugeman, Iain Gaman and John Gosden.
13/04/19 One-ball Charity Handicap Qualifier Wearing blue in support of this year’s charity, the Alzheimer’s Society, competitors enjoyed a day’s croquet with the result still in contention to the last round. Stephen Stuart-Matthews, a many times previous winner, finally managed to win through by a single point to close contenders Ian Fugeman and Anthony Tutt, last year’s winner. The event raised £70 for the Alzheimer’s charity.
06/04/19 Applewood Bowl The summer competition season once again opened with the Applewood Bowl, a friendly association croquet competition comprising 2 games of One-Ball and 2 games of 14 point advanced rules handicap. It was anticipated that the competition would be fiercely defended by last year’s winner, Stephen Stuart-Matthews but unfortunately, he had to pull out at the last minute. At the end of the One-ball stage several competitors were on level pegging with 2 wins apiece but following the first association game one competitor, Anthony Tutt, had pulled ahead with 3 wins. With the final game to play after lunch and 3 competitors on 2 wins the competition was still open. Anthony maintained his lead by winning his final game and so the trophy. Competitors thanked Arthur Lindley for organising the event and expressed appreciation for the homemade rock buns which fortified them in the rather chilly weather.
01/04/19 2018-19 GC Winter Handicap League Congratulations to Julie Tremble on winning the League despite the number of bisques she often faced against her opponents. The other close contenders were Chris Stiff, demonstrating his consistency in hoop-running, and Jan Honeysett and Fred Bell who played the most games with good win and hoop percentages.
25/03/19 2018-19 GC Winter Level Play League Congratulations to Charles Martin on winning this winter competition.