Category: News

To be continued ……..

[Words by Martin Emmett]

As we reached mid September, CFCC undertook its last league match of the season as David Russell, Tony Hicks, Mike Pudney and myself travelled into the South Downs to take on the undulating lawns of West Chiltington (WCCC).

As we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by the club into their impressive pavilion, which they share with the cricket club. The hoops were set up, and we were allowed ample time to warm up on their two lawns; warming up being necessary, as after recent warm weather, the temperature had dipped and dark clouds gathered in the sky.

The first games were doubles, and as we were lower handicapped players, we were giving leads to our opponents; David and myself starting at 0, -4 on our game, and Tony and Mike at 1, -2 on theirs. However, the handicaps seemed about right as although CFCC lost both games, the scores were 7-4 and 7-6 respectively.

So, as we started the 4 games of singles, CFCC were 2-0 down and had ground to make up. These games were shared at two apiece, making the score 4-2 – but with the match being the best to five and with only three games left, it meant we had to win all three. Mike duly won his singles and David and Tony won their doubles, meaning whoever took the last singles game between their captain, John Sanders, and myself would take the match. After some close hopes, the score on this final game was 6-6 and we went to the Golden Hoop, where a long setting up and clearing battle took place, until eventually I had manoeuvred into a good position and waited for John’s clearance attempt. He missed on this attempt – but managed to lodge his ball in the jaws of the hoop. With neither of my balls being in a good position to clear or jump, my attempts were unsuccessful, so the game, and therefore the match, was won by West Chiltington, 5-4.

It was disappointing to lose such a close contest, but we had a very enjoyable afternoon, with the WCCC side being perfect hosts. Despite a few raindrops and a chilly wind, the weather held fair for the duration of what turned out to be a long match of well over three hours. Despite giving a start on all our matches, the handicaps awarded were pretty reflective of relative abilities, with the West Chiltington team playing well, and none of the nine games being won by more than three hoops, and four only being decided on the Golden Hoop. We look forward to next season when we hopefully be able to reverse the result.

Unfortunately, lawn conditions (and weather) meant that the competition was cancelled and both lawns were closed for this season!

Our team of Martin & the 3 David’s… Russell, Stocks & Milne, played a very friendly friendly this afternoon at West Worthing… and unfortunately lost 3-6😱😕!!!

It was their revenge for losing here a few weeks back in a league match…by the same margin!!
Thanks for playing, guys… we can get our own revenge next month when they visit again.

Sorry! No photographic evidence of the loss!

[From Eve’s article in the Chichester Observer]

Playing  a tournament in four teams of five but as individuals out to stop any of the others hooping provided lots of fun for Chichester and Fishbourne Croquet Club members on a bright and sunny Sunday.

There could only be one winner of the club’s own annual event, a dastardly mixture of golf and association croquet devised by a former chairman Brian Shipman. Twenty members with handicaps ranging between 2 and 12 took part.

Playing  a tournament in four teams of five but as individuals out to stop any of the others hooping provided lots of fun for Chichester and Fishbourne Croquet Club members recently. (August 17).

There could only be one winner of the club’s own annual event, a dastardly mixture of golf and association croquet devised by a former chairman Brian Shipman. Twenty members with handicaps ranging between 2 and 12 took part.

This year’s winner of the Shipman Plate was David Stocks (handicap 9) with 9 hoops and winning 3 games: second, Anne Gains (12 ) 8 hoops and 3 games): joint third, Angela Smith (12) and John Gains, (12) 7 hoops and 1 game; and Mike Pudney (6) 8 hoops 0 games.

Fun day out for croquet players: Participants of the are pictured after their Fishbourne Tournament with a difference. Organiser Chris Fuller is pictured in the front row holding the trophy which was presented to David Stocks, pictured to his left.

[words by Jane Gribbon]

A great ‘friendly’ game against Littlehampton… Chichester (me, Mike, David & Norma) won 4 out of 8 games, lost 2 and drew 2. As honorary captain and it being very warm, I ensured that we had a sausage roll break between games and a wonderful tea at the end. Thanks to Mike for sandwiches and scones and to Norma & David for a tasty lemon drizzle.

Welcoming Rother Valley Croquet Club this afternoon we enjoyed a contest against a team of identical strength, as measured by handicaps. C&FCC played with aplomb accumulating points from closely fought games, some of which were battled out over extended periods of time on the fields of reasoned unpredictability.
After two completed rounds exhaustion resulted in a mid-match break enjoying a generous spread topped by Ann Milne’s scrummy cake. Thank you to the wonderful contributions, Rother truly enjoyed tea time.
Completing the event winning a couple of doubles games, C&FCC ran out overall winners by a clear margin of 7 game wins to a single win to Rother. We were graciously complimented by our friendly opponents who themselves adapted to challenging conditions and played with spirit and skill.

Representing Rother Valley; Tim Broughton-Pipkin, David Priscott, Will Warren-Davis (Captain and Chairman of Rother Valley), Nigel Bathe, now also a member of C&FCC.

C&FCC; Tony Elkin (Captain), Mick Pudney, Ann and David Milne.

More success for the Club, today, at Carnival Day in Southwick, with 11 teams contesting!! We entered 2 teams: Fish & Chips (pictured here, winning both the Doubles and Singles Tournaments) David Milne, John Effingham, David Russell and Mike Pudney.

More Fish and Chips: the much more elegantly attired quartet of Tony Hicks, Tony Elkin, David Stocks and Keith (Daisy) Burt!

Another successful friendly match between our two U3A groups, this morning. Chichester just beat Ems Valley by 27 hoops to 25. Dee Parfitt & Marcus Sherwood were the top scoring couple for Chichester and Pauline Nelson & Richard Galloway were the top scoring couple for Ems Valley. Thanks to all involved and to  Chi U3A  for providing refreshments at the end. Well done to organiser Sally.

Congratulations to the winner Sally and also to second place Anna in her first club tournament.

Special thanks go to all competitors and to Paul and Margaret in organising the annual event.