We aim to improve
The work party, comprised of Ted, Roger, Sue, Jane, Eric, Malcolm, Alex, Katy and Michael, gathered on Monday 27th October. The boundary boards were collected and stowed, the hedge base trimmed, where the boards had been and the hedges, where the tractor would encroach on the courts, were trimmed and the remedial work was admired.
The wraps have been removed from the levelled and seeded area of court 2 and, subject to rabbit interference, it is looking good. Exciting though it is watching grass grow, I managed to tear myself away. The pictures were taken on 16th October.
Andrea initiated this end of season day, but could not attend. Ted stepped in and ran a progressive doubles, which saw 14 members play for the first dibs of the various chocolate delights brought by the players. The players were split into rogues and vagabonds, by reference to their handicaps.
The day started on very dewy grass, with the maintenance team poking fingers hopefully into the surface, trying to find the hoop and peg holes. This delayed the start, but the sun shone all morning, the afternoon was cooler with cloud cover and 8 rounds were completed, before a lovely tea provided by Sue.
Ted kept the score and was the top rogue! Liz and Malcolm shared the top vagabond place, with Malcolm offering the first dibs to Liz.
Ted wrapped up the day thanking one and all for their efforts during the day and then declaring the playing season over.
Report by Roger I’Anson
Four of our club members: Andrea, Katy, Marcia and Sue, journeyed to Crake Valley Croquet Club in Cumbria to play in the Ladies Open there on Wednesday 3rd of September.
12 players with wide ranging handicaps took part in two blocks of six which was to be followed by semi-finals, finals and play offs for the lesser places.
We might have been suspicious that they’d had a tad more rain in Cumbria than we have had in Yorkshire, when we saw the green lawns, but suspicions soon turned to fact as the players started out to play……….and it rained, and it rained, and it rained.
Despite the rain the players battled bravely on, ably supported by Crake hospitality in the shelter of their clubhouse. Although the rain stopped for short periods Chris Williamson, the tournament manager was hard pressed to run the competition and try to keep the water levels down. Roger lent a hand with pushing the roller, but our efforts proved inadequate as far as court 3 was concerned and play was confined to two courts for the remainder of the day.
The winner was Sarah Clements from Chester, beating Kim Dalland from Scotland 7-4 in the final. Sad to say none of our ladies got among the prizes. Marcia fared best, having a net hoop score of 0.
Perhaps a day best for gotten, but thanks must go to Crake for their splendid hospitality and Chris for his efforts, running the show and trying to keep the water at bay.
Robert Haskins, a friend from the Spa hotel days now plays croquet in Boston Spa and he invited three couples from Ripon Spa for a day’s croquet on their lawns.
The Flexmans, the I’Ansons and the Franklins went to Boston Spa on Friday 8th August. The weather was very kind all day, cooling when the clouds gathered.
Robert invited 10 players from the home club to take it in turns to play doubles against the visitors. In all six matches were played before tea at 3:30, accompanied by a cool glass of wine – much appreciated by the players.
While the visitors prevailed, the atmosphere was extremely friendly and thoughts soon turned to a return fixture, possibly involving more than 6 players and played at Ripon Spa.
And so to tea. Cheers. Thank you for a lovely day.
Bishop Monkton hosted the Federation restricted doubles on 23rd July on a mostly very pleasant day. It was dreich towards the end of play with the heavier rain coming later.
Eight pairs played an all-play-all arrangement. Ripon Spa was well represented by Sue and Robert, Roger and Liz, Eric and Michael and Marcia who partnered Gill. The winners were Chris Higgins and Jen Bradshaw with 5 wins and 1 draws; second came Marcia and Gill with 4 wins and 2 draws and third came Roger and Liz with 4 wins and 1 draw. The winners thanked Bob Strover for managing the tournament. Bob thanked Jackie for dealing with the refreshments, timing and scoring and the bakers were complimented on their cakes.
Middlesbrough hosted 2 tournaments on Sunday 13th July. There was a B level with 7 players and a C level also with 7 players. This resulted in an all-play-all format for both the B and the C, leading to a semi-final and a final to determine the winners.
Marcia started well, at around 10am and continued in the same vein against all but one of her opponents. She won her semi-final and, in an exhausting final finishing around 6:15pm, narrowly lost to Jim Forster from Backworth who hardly missed a clearance or a hoop all day. However, as runner-up she qualified for a hug from Liz, who was there playing in the C.
Reports by manager Ted Flexman
YCF Open GC Singles at Ripon Spa Croquet Club on Monday 7th July 2025
Twelve of the best GC players in the region completed for the small but beautiful Singles trophy on a sunny and breezy day at Ripon Spa’s ground at Studley.
Players came from Middlesbrough, Pendle, Sheffield, Bishop Monkton and Ripon – a good spread from across the county.
From the morning group games Sue I’Anson emerged as leader with three straight wins. In the afternoon knockout rounds Robert Mumford won the Plate and Bob Strover battled through to take the trophy after a high standard, hard fought day.
Manager, Ted Flexman, congratulated Bob and noted what an excellent year he was having, thanks the Ripon Team for their excellent hospitality and wished all players well for their next tournaments.
GC Advantage Team Day At Ripon Spa Croquet Club on Sunday 6th July 2025
Well, you happily play croquet in glorious sunshine and sometimes almost too hot days and then, when it is the date of the Yorkshire Croquet Federation Team GC Advantage Day the skies open and heavy showers refresh the ground and soak the players! But did it dampen our spirits? Oh no.
Twelve players made up 4 teams of three to contest rounds of doubles and singles and under Ted’s flexible management all got to play with a partner and on their own.
Congratulation to Penny, Anne and Marion from Ben Rhydding who came from second place to win in the last round. This was a good test of the Positive Advantage system. The main disadvantage of the GC Advantage idea is that often more than 13 hoops are required to be played in order to have a clear result and timed games can be unsatisfactory ( certainly for the losers!).
However it was a good occasion;
“ enjoyed enormously despite the showers. It is always fun to meet croquet friends old and new in the splendid venue of Studley.”
Surely it won’t rain on us next year!
As you approach the shed, between the courts and the hedge on the Galphay road side, there are holes for a hoop and some white marks. The hoop has a band of black tape on one upright and is usually just inside the door on the left. The white marks are 2′, 3′ and 4′ away from the hoop. If you wish to practise jumping, please use this area and not a court. The photograph shows the 2′ mark.
We opened on 1st April and it was no April Fool. The weather was sunny and warm, with virtually no breeze. The grass needs a cut and the white lines need applying. Nonetheless, the 10 members, who trusted the forecast, were rewarded with an early reminder of what they had missed these last six months.
