Yet another fun day in the rain! The team of four Dominic Webb, Iain Richardson, Martin Birch and Giles Carpenter arrived to set up for the match against Surbiton CC in the CE golf croquet competition called the Bowl. It was as our opponents arrived that the heavens opened and both teams opted for coffee and biscuits first to see if the rain would ease. Gradually the weather improved enough to play and the games began.
Round one saw Dominic and Iain play doubles against the top two players from Surbiton, Rose and Judy. A tight first game Surbiton 7 GGCC 5. The second game was won by GGCC 7-1 so that a decider was needed and GGCC prevailed winning 7-2. The other players were playing singles and both matches went to 3games. Matin beat Richard Relf 3-7, 7-5, 7-4 and Giles beat Lavinia Von Kesmark 4-7, 7-5, 7-3.
Time for lunch! Hilary was cooking for the teams and had thought that given the vile weather some hot food was needed – it was much appreciated by the players.
Round two was played as four singles – still the best of three games. Dominic beat Rose in two games but Iain lost to Judy. Giles and Richard had more of a tussle with Richard winning the first 7-3, Giles winning the second 7-2 and then a fight for game three which went to the golden hoop giving the win to Richard. Martin had a long battle with Lavinia and won the game 7-6. At that point GGCC having won the tie Martin and Lavinia decided enough was enough rain for one day and play was stopped.
So a win for GGCC 5 games to two. Congratulations, team – well played in conditions that were not on your side! Our next opponents are Compton CC who beat us last year – perhaps we have a point to prove this time around.
Andrea Huxley, manager