News 2024

Check back here regularly to find out what's going on at Leicester Croquet Club.

If you have any items for inclusion please send to: news@leicestercroquet.org.uk

What a Week for Leicester Advantage Golf Croquet!

The squad of 6 were tested to their limits this week as there were 2 fixtures at both ends of one week.For some, the croquet week started on Sunday night with the Federation Shield competition. Andrew gave up watching the Euro Final to drive the team of 4 down to Enfield North London. This meant the team woke fresh for the pre match briefing - breakfast.

With lunch in our hands we arrived at Enfield Croquet Club in good time, hoping to be ahead of our opponents. They arrived from West Worthing at the same time and even got dropped off at the entrance to the park by their driver. Our hosts at Enfield had the lawns all set up for us and provided drinks throughout the day, as well as providing volunteers in case anything else was required. 

Leicester were representing the East Midlands Federation as the club were winners of the experimental Advantage League in 2023. The format was 2 rounds, the first consisted of 1 doubles and 2 singles matches and the second 4 singles matches. Gillian and Virginia played the doubles, which was a long drawn out affair, as the Leicester team found themselves being pushed away from the hoops too often to maintain the starting advantage. The score was 5 to 7 for both games played.  Christine and Andrew both required 3 games to get a result. Andrew had 2 very close games, one for and one against but the 3rd game was dominated by his West Worthing opponent. Christine on the other hand became the inspiration of the team so that before lunch the match score was Leicester 1 West Worthing 2.  The weather had held out other than a short spell of rain which finished just after lunch. Leicester kept the pressure up throughout the afternoon spell with many very tight singles games. Andrew winning against a 2 handicap player 7-6, 7-6. Virginia scoring her first jump shot in competition. Christine narrowly missing out to a 4 handicap player. Gillian holding her nerve after her opponent reduced a  5-0 lead to 6-5. The final match score could have easily been different however West Worthing won 4 and Leicester 3.

League Positions At 20th July

East Midlands Players Compete At Hunstanton A Level

There were several players from the East Midlands taking part in the Hunstanton A Level. From Leicester there was only Mark as Alison had to pull out with a bad back. He had a disappointing weekend, not making the cut on Day 1 and mixed results on day 2 in the plate. He went the wrong way on his handicap and is now back to a 1. Andy Sherwood from Ashby fared similarly to Mark and was also in the plate on day 2. He only managed to rally at the end of the second day rescuing himself from being 100 points down. Pauline Donner from Branston joined the boys in the plate but with better results. The plate decision was close and Pauline missed out having matched on wins and count back it came down to who beat who.

Two Hard Hot Days At Bakewell

We had two different matches taking place at Bakewll - Advantage & Division 2.  Leicester B were first up - Christine, Mark & Gillian Baverstock.  It was the first time to the Bakewell for some players so they had not experianced the lawns or the public walking across the lawns at random points.  It was a humid day and the grass was longer than ours at home.  The guys fought hard to obtain a 6:6 draw but Bakewell won on hoops.

Another HOT day and it was the advantage teams turn.  Mark & Gillian hoped to benefit from understanding the lawns and Christine was replaced by Andrew. Virginia was there for moral support.  Some tight games, lots of fustration but Leicester could only manage to win 2 games. Result 10:2 to Bakewell.

Divison 1 League Match - Leicester A v Branston A

It was a strong team with David, Mark & Alison down to play.  Alison woke with her back continuing to give her problems but after unsucessfull phone calls to find a replacement she popped the pills & played.

The weather was fabulous and after turning away the grounds man who had come to cut the bowlers lawn the game was played on one fast lawn & the other very slow.  The Branson team turned up with a higher handicap team of 11 but they were all seasoned players who out perform their rankings. (David B, Tony C & Pauline D). After the first 3 rounds (Doubles & Singles) Leicester were 4:2 up. After the next round Leicester had secured the draw going into the final round. It ending on a 9:3 win to Leicester however the match was tighter than the score suggests as  6 games where only won by 1 hoop.

Game of the day goes to Alison who came back from 3:5 down at the end of time. Time was up and it was 8 shots each.  She managed to run the 9th and then the 10th with the other ball to equalise.  After much battling she won the game 6:5, sorry David B 

Southwell 9 v Leicester B 3

A disappoointing loss for Leicester B when they travelled to Southwell.  They expect matches to be more challenging as they gained promotion to the Second Division.  Full match report to follow.

GC Coaching

David Bell has been sorting out the GC Coaching sessions which members signed up for on the club noticeboard.  The dates are below and just email David to confirm attendance so he knows numbers:

• 27/7/24 - Boot Camp 10:00am to 12:00pm (Saturday)
• 5/8/24 - Know the rules - 6:00pm to 8:00pm (Monday)
• 20/8/24 - Clearance Shots 6:00pm to 8:00pm (Tuesday)
• 8/9/24 - Solomon Grip - 12:00 to 2:00 (Sunday)

Womens Open Nottingham

Alison took part in her first ladies open at Nottingham.  She just made the cut into the knockout rounds with 3 wins on hoop difference but faced Jenny Clarke (-5 handicap) in the first round.  She ended the competition in 8th place having lost 5 games on the tie-break!  She thinks a bit of practive required before August.

The competitin was won by Jenny Clarke in two games against Diana Wilson.

Federation Shield - Advantage Match - Players Wanted

Gillian Bavderstock is looking for a team to represent the Midlands Federation to play in the Federation Shield Competition.

This competition is a knock out style , played to advantage rules (first to 7) and requires a minimum of 4 players. The format is 7 matches - one of which will be a doubles and all others will be singles. The opposition is West Worthing.

The round is to be played at a neutral venue (ease of traveling) so I am exploring whether Watford or Abingdon clubs can host the match. 

If you are interested in playing please reach out to Gillian

Internal Competitions Drawn

The draws for the Level play, Advantage and High Rollers competitions have now been made so checkout the competition below....

Ashby Open

This one day Natonal Open event included many local players with Ashby, Wrest Park & Northamption taking 8 of the 12 places available.  In additon to the event Ashby had arranged the weather & a Spitfire flypast. It was 2 blocks of 6 players top 2 making the playoffs whilst others competed for the plate.  Mark Buckley made the playoffs but came 4th overall. Alison Murray just missed out on both coming 6th overall.  Peter Tofield (N'pton) beat Tim King (Ashby) to win the event & Les Herd (Wrest Park) picked up the plate. .Full results on Golf Croquet Scores

Great Start To The Season For Leicester B

On what must be the only nice day of the season so far the B Team (Richard, Christine & Gillian) played Woodhall Spa.  The away teams total handicap was 16 so it was never going to be easy for Leicester with handicaps totaling 24! After the first 3 rounds it was 3 all so it was everything to play for in the afternoon. Richard was unbeaten all day,  Christine picked up a good couple of wins (picking up some good points on her green card) and Gillian also bagged a win against a 5 handicap. Well done to them all and it looks good for the season ahead.

European's Womens Championship - Alison Qualifies

Congratulations to Alison for qualifying for the Women's European Championship taking place at Eastbourne at the beginning of August

Volunteers Required To Run Social Sundays

The first Sunday of each month we hold "Social Sundays" which is organised play followed by some food which everyone brings.  We are looking for some volunteers for each month to organise these events.  It is not a difficult task you just need to make sure there is milk and then arrange a schedual of who plays who.  There is even a "Social Sunday Helpers Sheet" to assist.

Dates are on the club events so if you are able to assist with one of these please let Christine Fagan know.  Thanks

Leicester Enter The Bass Shield 11th May

So due to a team cancellation Leicester have now been able to enter a team in the Bass Shield & Coors Cup, a competition run by Ashby Croquet Club.  We require a team of 3 and 2 players have been secured (The Baverstocks) so if you are interested in making up the third person let Alison know.  It is an all day event (roughly 10-4) competing against other clubs in the region with all games being played as singles.  It is a great starting point for people with little or no competitive play as well as those with experiance.  Oh, Leicester have won the Bash Shields a few times in the past!

Update On Members Early Tournament

Paul Williams picked up this mallet for the first time this year to play in the Budleigh B Level. Due to all the wet weather the competition put a restruction on of "no jump shots" which would help those who can not jump (unlike Paul). Paul put in a great effort with some tight games but only managed to pick up the one win in his block. He progressed well in the plate and ended up coming second with a 7-4 win to Robert Honey.

Mark & Alison took part in the Cheltenham Open up against some very strong competition.  On day one Mark won 4 games but just missed out on making the cut by one hoop.  Alison also failed to make the cut but picked up 3 wins against lower handicaps.  Day 2 was the plate knockout for them both.  Mark was knocked out in the first round but then got 2 wins out of 4 meaning he has dropped to a ZERO handicap.  Alison made it throught the first round beating a -1 and then dropped out but with 5 wins over the 2 days she gained 20 index points and her highest place in the rankings, 182 position.

East Midlands Federation League Matches - Sign Up

The captains are in the process of arranging the matches for this season.  They are always interest in hearing from club members who want to join the various squads.  You don't need to be of any set standard just keen to take part. 

Contact Gillian Baverstock if you want to play in the Advantage League which is an excellent starting point for anyone.  In this "handicap" game you can play "better" players but compete equally due to the Advantage system.

Christine Fagan captains the level play "B Team" so if you have a high handicap and want some level play experiance this is a good place for you.

If you have a handicap of 7 or less consider reaching out to Mark Buckley to join the A team squad for level play in division 1.

Remember no matter which team you play for it is all about competitive FUN!

Early Phyllis Court A Level Tournament - Mark & Alison

Mark & Alison decided to compete in an early tournament down at Phyllis Court Henley having gotten some early practice in at Cheltenham. They both had a good first day with Alison winning the block and Mark coming second. Day 2 was less good as they were both knocked out in the first round. They picked up some games & ended the tournament in 6th (Mark) and 7th (Alison) positions which was a respectable result.

Leicester Croquet Club AGM - Sunday 21st April

Please note the AGM will take place on Sunday 21st April which is the first Sunday of the new season.  We will start at the normal time and the session will consist of the AGM and social play.  Please attend if possible as we will be voting in club officials and agreeing membership rates for 2024.  Reports and Documents relating to the AGM can be found in the secure members section.

GC Coaching Session 27th April

There will be golf croquet coaching session for competitive players running on Saturday 27 April (10.00am to 1.00pm) ahead of league and tournament play later this season.

The session will focus on the tactics associated with the cross court approach shots to the outer hoops (1, 3, 7 and 9). Which are perhaps the most important hoops in the GC game.

The session will look at the best first or second approach shots to make to these four hoops, how to defend them and how to win them. But It'’s not just about the gameplay for these hoops. The tactics to win these hoops start on the hoop before and continue to the hoops that follow.

Coaching will be out on the lawn most of the morning and will wrap up with a classroom session in the clubhouse.

Let David Bell know if you wish to attend and bring a packed lunch to make a morning of it.

Advantage League Confirmed for 2024

East Midlands Fed will be running an Advantage league this year and Leicester have confrimed their entry.  Each team will play home & away and the teams entered long with ourselves are Gainsborough, Bakewell & Woodhall Spa.  Gillian Baverstock has agreed to run the team and is looking for people who want to progess their croquet journey