Results, Events and News page for 2024 Season
Kendal Cup 2024 (Doubles) 15th September 2024
Congratulations to David Thirtle-Watts and Maria Crompton winners of the Kendal Cup Doubles tournament. Another great day even though the weather was less kind! Fabulously unique new trophies for 2024.
Kendal Cup 2024 (Singles) 14th September 2024
Perfect day for the Kendal Cup singles. Well done Colin Spencer on winning your 6th! trophy at Hunstanton this season. Well done to everyone who entered and enjoyed a great day. Ellie Lewis especially enjoyed her victories over Gary Lewis!
It is with great sadness to report that our dear member and friend Terry Loades passed away at the weekend. The Club flag was flown at half mast on Monday’s club afternoon as a mark of respect. He will be much missed. RIP Terry.
Presentation Luncheon Tuesday 22nd October
As last year, the Luncheon will be held at The Pavilion Restaurant at Heacham Manor. All the details are on the clubroom noticeboard ; please make your menu choices and pay Gwenda or Janet by 30th September. I’ll post the menu here, too, when I have it. Partners are very welcome.
Carpenter Cup Thursday 5th September
Another excellently run tournament by Gary who arranged everything perfectly apart from the weather! The Carpenter Cup is a singles competition for higher handicapped and newer players and there were some really close games. Congratulations to Ellie Lewis on her win – beating Mary Core in the final. Congratulations, too, to Maria Crompton winning the plate in a closely fought duel with Zena Penty. Bev and Steve Runchman battled it out to avoid the wooden spoon with Steve taking it home.
September activities Monday 2nd committee meeting; Thursday 5th Carpenter Cup; Saturday 14th Kendal Cup singles (lp); Sunday 15th Kendal Cup doubles; Tuesday 24th September lawns 4 and 5 close for re-seeding tbc.
125th Annual 4 Day AC competition 24th -27th August
14 Competitors started the tournament on Saturday in the rain, continued on Sunday and Monday in the wind and 8 survivors finished on the Tuesday in sunshine. Congratulations to Phil Eardley, David Houston, Lee Hartley and Betty Bates who collected the silverware. Full results may be found on croquet scores. Thanks to Phil for playing and managing, Jonny Ives for the wonderful condition of the lawns and all the club members who give up a large chunk of their Bank Holiday to make things happen before, during and after every day.
Quiet play
The committee has decided to continue with having a lawn reserved for single-banked, quiet play on Wednesday mornings. This will usually be lawn 1. Its purpose is to provide a less busy and safer environment for anyone who finds the physical demands or the hustle and bustle of a busy club afternoon a bit much. Games may be played at a slower pace and only one game on the lawn at a time (singles or doubles). This may mean that it is necessary to sit out a game if more than 4 people turn up, but the lawn will be available from 10:30 (once swished and set out) until the start of afternoon play.
August activities : Mon 5th Bright Shirts afternoon (wear your brightest shirt!); 8th Committee Meeting; 10/11th GC A level Ascot Cup Qualifier; 15th Visit from Bodham Croquet Club; 16th Rotary guests (4); 24th-27th 125th Annual 4 day AC; 29th Club Doubles Comp.
Ascot Cup Qualifier 10th /11th August
Unfortunately this year the club only managed to attract a disappointing entry of 11 players. However, this was more than well compensated by the high standard which included three international players of high quality and the magnificent summer weather that had eventually decided to make an appearance.
In view of the low numbers the Manager Richard Bilton decided that the first day and the first two games of the second day would be an all play all with the top four Mark Avery, Richard Bilton , Lionel Tibble and Andrew Hobbs proceeding to a knock-out semi-final, which resulted in a final between Mark and Lionel in which Mark emerged the overall winner.
Local member David Thirtle-Watts was the winner of the subsidiary Plate with Nottingham member Ian Burridge taking the shield.
It was noted that several of the players commented on the high standard of the lawns and how well they had been prepared. Thanks must go not only to our grounds-man but the small team of members who turn out early in the morning to prepare the club. Not forgetting the members who also prepare the teas and tidy up the clubhouse.
Terrey Sparks
Pictured are the winners – Mark Avery and (plate) David Thirtle-Watts. The Shield (not pictured) was won by Ian Burridge.
Bright Shirts Day
Over 30 members donned their brightest shirts to play on Monday afternoon. Pam picked out the winner and Bev was duly awarded the prize. Good show!
Men V Ladies match Thurs 1st August
For a bit of fun, This extra fixture was added to the calendar. Gary organised the teams into a mixture of singles and doubles so that everyone was involved. The doubles were played level play and the singles were played using advantage handicaps. The weather was perfect and everyone enjoyed themselves. Despite a late addition of double points in the last round the ladies could not overturn the men’s lead so they were awarded the wooden spoons whilst the men may now proudly show off their ‘gold’ winners medals. Look out for a repeat event next year with more entrants.
Members’ Day Monday 29th July
What glorious weather for our annual Members’ Day! As usual members arrived laden with goodies on which to feast – thank you everyone! (It’s still a mystery where Wendy’s Celebrations disappeared to) We enjoyed a mixture of games/races/skills practice and enjoyed each other’s company. Nearly 30 members came for all or part of the day. Thank you Zena, for taking pics.
Invitation Weekend 27/28 July;
16 participants from both the home club and visitors partook in this year event which took on a well-worn format of single games on the Saturday and mixed doubles on the Sunday. Both days bathed in late summer sun and excellent conditions.
Saturday: Split into two groups, 8 playing Handicap Advantage and 8 playing level in which both groups play was very close and had close finishes. In the Handicap block using the cross block formula local members Gren Perry and Garry Lewis led the field with one game to go as both were on an equal number of wins. However, in his last game Gary unexpectedly lost the plot losing to visitor Viv Heard at the Golden Hoop leaving Gren the undisputed winner with Gary the Runner Up and Viv in third place.
Meanwhile in the level play group play was also very close and competitive but home club member Colin Spencer and visitor Les Heard comfortably led the field winning the majority of their games and at the of play both finished on 6 wins each with only 1 loss apiece. However, as Colin had beaten Les earlier in the day and had a Net Hoop difference of +15 to Les on +12 was declared the winner. David Boxell took the 3rd place for his 4 wins.
Sunday: was mixed doubles day in which the pairing was decided by what is known as Top & Toe and in which each doubles played each other totaling 7 games. As expected due to the balancing of handicaps play proved to be very close and competitive. As the final round approached it looked as if the manager might have a problem in sorting out a winner with 5 pairs finishing with 5 wins each. But as things go it was not as close as expected as only 3 of the pairs ended on total wins of 5. However, sorting out who had won became difficult as each had lost to each other so the manager then moved to net hoops and the winners declared were Les Heard & Hazel Denslow, on +15, Runners Up were Gary Lewis & Viv Heard on +7 with 3rd place being awarded to Stephen Foster & Ellie Lewis on +3.
Grateful thanks must go to all those volunteers who over the weekend not only turned up early to set up the lawns but, provide refreshments and keep the clubhouse tidy and strip the lawns at the close of play which is essential to run a successful tournament.
Terrey Sparks
Hoop setting 24/25th July
Thank you to everyone who helped Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning. Hoops on all 5 lawns reset. Great work!
Green Shutter Doubles Thursday 18th July
A glorious sunny day which for once meant players leaving the lawns to have a cold drink rather than to get a warm coat!
Expertly managed by Gary Lewis, 8 pairs competed for overall winner and the plate competition. Two closely fought finals were the result with Thelma (welcome back) Betts and Peter (new member) Rule pipping Sue Boxell and Roddy (new member) Willett to the trophy 7-5. In the plate competition Hazel Denslow and Gerry (new member) Byrne beat Janet Kendal and Steve (new member) Runchman. It was particularly pleasing to see so many of this year’s new members taking part. It bodes well for next season when perhaps we shall manage to field teams in the league once more – they all showed themselves to be more than capable of competing.
Thank you Gary for organising and Ellie for the catering.
GC Open series (0+) 13/14th Jul-
This year this annual national two day tournament attracted an entry of 14 participants from afar ranging from Crake Valley situated in the Lake District, Newcastle and Bromley in Kent. Play commenced at 9.30 am and by the early evening a total of 49 games of level singles play had been completed.
On the second day the format split into two sections in which the top eight players moved into a knock-out phase playing for the Salver and the lower six into a block of six in which all play all.
In Block A home club members performed extremely well and the salver was awarded to Colin Spencer who played a lower handicap player from Crake Valley, David Cornes and after a very exciting final round ran out the tournament winner. David Boxell another local club member finished in 3rd place and Beryl Hughes from Cheam, 4th. Martin Daniels from Bromley was awarded the Subsidiary Shield. (Edited)
It should be pointed out that as this is a National Series Event the winner is entitled to play in the National Final on 28th/29th September, which this year will be staged at the Sidmouth Club.
In the plate block in which the lower six players played each other proved at the end of play to be a very close call with four each finishing on 3 wins apiece, so the final decision then moved onto net hoops scored. This was narrowed down to John Gosdon of the Guildford Club and home club member Pauline Donner who both finished on +4 difference However, as Pauline had lost her game earlier to John, he was declared the winner and awarded the plate.
Overall, over the week-end the weather was very kind and although a slightly cold wind blew most of the time despite the forecast there was no rain and all seemed to enjoy themselves, but it would have been nice to see the sun.
Terrey Sparks
Tournament Manager
Over 60s Final round 2nd July
Gary managed and played in this annual tournament. With just 10 competitors, the 9 games were completed in just three, instead of the allotted four rounds, leading to an expertly arranged final day in which the winner could have been almost anyone. it came down to an extremely close finish between Gary and Colin with Gary taking the honours on net hoops scored. Thank you Gary and Ellie for giving your time so generously and for running such an enjoyable tournament.
Green Shutters Singles – Thursday 27th June
Thursday saw 8 competitors for the annual Green Shutters tournament. The day was beautifully organised by player-manager Gary, giving everyone 4 cross-blocked games, a plate competition, semi finals and a final. Roddy defeated Ellie in the plate and Gary saw off a strong challenge from Charlie to take the trophy.
Some weeding needs doing round the clubhouse and back of lawns 2 and 3 – please help.
National (GC) B – Level (3+) Series Tournament – 22nd June
At Last the sun shone over the weekend and Sunny Hunny lived up to its name as 16 participants – a full entry – with all the handicaps falling between 3 and 6 gathered at the club for the annual tournament. With the handicaps all being so close, it came as no surprise that play was very competitive and that 14 of the 47 games played went to the 13th hoop to finish, which only shows how keen play was overall.
The Semi – Finals saw club members Colin Spencer see off Michael Tideswell of Bedford 7 -2 and Roger Platt win against Susan I’Anson from Ripon 7 – 6 to meet in club final. Colin ran out a worthy winner 7 – 2. Michael Franklin also of Ripon carried off the Plate.
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National (GC) C – Level (7+) Series Tournament – 23rd June
The following day the sun shone even brighter as a reduced number of 10 gathered at the club for this National Tournament designed for those recent participants to the game. However, play was still keen and competitive and very close. Split into two blocks the semi-final Block A between Robert Mumford (Ripon) and Ken Knock (Sutton Bridge) went to a 7-4 win to Robert, In Block B Home club member Gary Lewis managed to overcome Judy Crowe of Lincoln also by 7 – 4.
In the resulting final which went a very exciting finish Robert just managed at the last stroke in time to overcome home club member Gary 5 – 4. Hunstanton member Lucy Closs ran out the plate winner.
A special mention is also made in respect of local member Mary Core who entered this event her first national tournament as a late stand in at handicap 14 and whose standard of play so impressed the Tournament Handicapper and other players that she incurred an immediate and worthy well done reduction to 12.
Terrey Sparks
Club GC Singles Thursday13th June
12 Club members participated in a super competition, expertly managed by Gary Lewis. The competitors were divided into two seeded blocks giving 5 games and a final. Despite some close games, the finalists were, as expected, defending holder Colin and David Boxell – both having won all their games. In a final in which both players demonstrated superb clearance shots, Colin eventually successfully defended his title, taking the salver home again. Congratulations too, to the new members who will have gained valuable experience to take forward to other tournaments.
Thank you Ellie for provinding the catering as well as playing and Gary for playing and organising such a successful day.
Postponed Hoop-setting 20th June
New date yet to be arranged. Trainee hoop-setters needed!
+AC One Day Handicap Tournament 8th June
(The Butlin Trophy)
Following the cancellation of the Annual Three Day Association Tournament ‘The Jane Neville-Rolfe Trophy due to insufficient entries it was decided to stage a one-day handicap event which would appeal to local AC croquet residents which attracted 8 players of various abilities.
It was decided by the Tournament Manager Terrey Sparks to loosely stage a variable swiss style event in which winners played winners and losers played the same. All games to be single banked of two hours duration in length or 18 points which ever came first.
As seems to be the pattern this summer, the weather when the day’s play started was warm and sunny however, by mid-morning the rain clouds appeared and the day was marred by in persistent heavy showers. However, the players persisted and gallantly played through this reoccurring nuisance, until the sun re-appeared although this time accompanied by a slightly chilly wind.
Never-the-less because play was handicapped the games were competitive with most of the higher handicaps performing well against their senior opposition, in fact what turned out to be the final match between Jeff Race v. David Boxell was the highest at18 and lowest at -1/2 handicaps there which Jeff only scraped home to win +5 because of the strong opposition put up by David.
A very enjoyable day that hopefully should become an annual event. Many thanks to the ladies for providing a very enjoyable tea at the end of the days play.
Terrey Sparks
Red Hat Ladies 5th June
We were pleased to welcome a group of Red Hat Ladies to brighten up our lawns. Glad you enjoyed your session and hope to see you again!
Coaching by Simon Carter Wednesday 5th June
The coaching sessions will take place on Wednesday morning for the advanced group and in the afternoon for the beginners’ group. Eight people per group. Only one lawn will be used so club sessions will continue as usual. Final details will be confirmed by email. If you are unable to attend, please let us know so that someone else can have your place. As always, we are very grateful to our President for so generously donating his time and expertise.
Some of the lucky recipients of the coaching sessions. Thanks to Simon and David for giving up their time to help our members to improve their skills.
Rotary Visit 24th May
For once the weather was kind to us as we welcomed 22 Members of King’s Lynn Priory Rotary Club for an afternoon of croquet. They were a fabulous bunch of people and much merriment ensued. Many thanks to the committee and members who helped to run the afternoon and make it so enjoyable.
GC Open A level Hampson Memorial Salver 18/19 May
The sun may have shone most of the week-end but the biting north-east wind was an ever present reminder that you were at the north- west coast of Norfolk in Hunstanton feeling the full force of it. However, despite the limited entry of only eight participants following several late withdrawals due to unfortunate various personal reasons, the lawns were in excellent conditions following a winter of extreme surgery which more than compensated for the low numbers.
To take account of the low entry the Tournament Manager, Terrey Sparks, slightly modified the playing format which meant on the first day and the first games of the second day to be a block of eight of 19 point games which were all play all. This then split into A & B blocks to a best of three knock-outs.
Playing for the Salver in block ‘A’ resulted in the final round comprising of Andrew Hobbs (Dulwich) against Clair Whyms (Eire) in which Andrew ran out the winner after two games 7-4, 7-4.
In Block ‘B’ for the Subsidiary Plate local member David Boxell (Hunstanton) met against Michelle Leonard (East Dorset). David overcame Michelle 7-3, 7-5 in an exciting finish.
Although the tournament only comprised of eight entrants it still turned out to be played, in a good spirit and the participants were fully occupied on the lawns. Everybody departed in a good mood after a week-end of good croquet.
Terrey Sparks
Tournament Manager
Lovely to meet you all and hope that you will visit us again. Our thanks to Terrey and all the behind the scenes helpers. HCC
Grass Roots Thursday 16th May
Well we could hardly have had worse weather to introduce our new players to their first (apart from Mary) tournament! It was cold and wet and did I mention it was wet? Very wet. And cold!
However, showing their true grit as croquet players, they battled on. Gary arranged an all play all format of 40 minute games. Everyone scored hoops in every game with some close scores. By the time the final game was due to be played, Mary had won all her games and Roddy all his. Bev just beat Steve 6-5 in their final game to take third place and Roddy beat Mary to come first and second respectively.
Despite the appalling weather, all players gained a lot from the day (including remembering to bring gloves!) Progress from the first to last game was clearly evident.
Thank you, Gary for managing and Ellie for the coffee and cakes.
PLEASE NOTE – THE COACHING SESSIONS WITH SIMON CARTER HAVE MOVED TO WEDNESDAY 5TH JUNE.
Robert Prichard AC 4-6th May
Congratulations to winner Jonathan Kirby. Tournament report to follow.
GRASS ROOTS Thursday 16th May
Please put your name down on the notice in the clubhouse by the end of play Wednesday 8th May
Level play – open to new players who joined 2022 or since. (Including our brand new ‘graduates’!)
Entries now closed
Graduation Day 30th April
After the coldest start to a season that I can remember, it was such a relief that our students finally were able to experience croquet in the sun! We had a lovely morning and I’m very happy to share lots of pics of our class of 2024. Not everyone was able to attend today, but without exception, everyone who came to the sessions was a pleasure to teach. All battled through wind, rain and cold with a smile. We hope to see you on the lawns again.
Come and Try 17th April
Well, the forecast was dreadful but we had 26! Yes, 26 lovely people who turned up to the ‘ Come and Try’ session this afternoon. We needed every single one of the members who turned out to help and they did a fabulous job taking small groups onto the lawns and giving them a great experience. We nearly ran out of mallets and every lawn was used with both primary and secondary colours. I won’t name every individual in case I miss someone and cause offence, but a special mention to Pat Burville who kept everyone going with hot drinks on a cold afternoon. The sun came out for the final 30 minutes!
Information
Please note that many important documents and useful information are posted on the club notice boards. When you are in the club, please take a few minutes to read them. Some have also been added to the ‘Constitution’ page of the website, so please take a look there to ensure that you are au fait with our rules and guidance.
Hoop Setting and Club Opening (16th March)
Fourteen members helped set out the lawns yesterday (14th). We had good weather and all went smoothly thanks to some very efficient prep work and organisation. I was amazed that all was completed in one morning, so we shall not need to use our reserve date next week. However, we still have the club room and tubing to get ready for opening so please come along to help on Saturday morning (16th).
HOOP SETTING THURSDAY 14th MARCH – IMPORTANT!!!
Please help if you are able. A number of our regular helpers are unavailable due to injuries or being out of the country. Without holes and hoops, none of us can play. Help may involve spraying markers at the side of the lawns, holding the end of strings across the lawns, making holes for the hoops and hammering them in. The first two are easy – anyone can do it, making hoop holes is hard work and requires a degree of physical strength aswell as accuracy. The helpers also need to be fuelled with coffee/tea and biscuits so jobs in the kitchen too!
Club prep – the rest of the jobs to be ready for opening will be Saturday 16th March with Sunday 17th as a reserve date.
Facebook Page
If you (or a younger member of your family) have a facebook page, please look in, follow and like posts on our HCC page. It is much quicker and easier for me to post quick pics and messages directly from my phone and you also have the opportunity to comment. Also, where appropriate, share posts to your own page so that we reach a wider audience. NB This is in addition to the website, emails and phone calls – it does not replace our traditional means of communication. PS Happy Birthday DT-W! 🎈🎉🍾🔵🔴⚫🟡
Wednesday Warriors
A big thank you to David, Charlie and John who spent last Wednesday morning working on the area behind the clubhouse. It looks much better! Weather permitting more will be done on 14th – what better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day! If you can’t be there, hope to see you the next morning at Norfolk Lavender.
Storm Isha
A huge thank you to Charlie, Gary and John who answered the call to arms after storm Isha blew over the shelter by lawn 5. They have righted it and secured it, so hopefully it will survive another season.
