Dates for 2023
The dates and competitions for 2023 are:
| April 17 | One ball. See March 2023 News |
| May 9 | Progressive doubles. Moved to 22nd August. |
| June 5 | Advantage singles |
| June 21 | |
| July 4 | |
| August 3 | Club doubles |
| August 22 | Progressive doubles. |
| September 4 | Club singles – see note below |
| September 11 | Maggie Cowman Cup – progressive doubles |
| September 12 | Maggie Cowman Cup – singles |
| September 28 | Pro/Am end of season |
Club singles on 4th September. The eight members, with the lowest handicaps on 24th August, will be invited to play in the club singles.
Advantage singles
This took place on Monday 5th June, with 6 players, managed superbly by Sue. All played all and the result was based on net hoops. Michael emerged as the winner.
Progressive doubles 23rd August 2023
This year’s progressive doubles provided us with an excellent problem – 14 entries and we decided that Roger would have a day off playing and Sue and Ted would share a place to make 12 pairs. This meant that we could use three lawns and no double banking. Games were limited to 40 minutes and draws accepted. Most games were settled by only a one or two hoop difference and after five rounds Sue and Michael were top Iagos and Alice and Hedley top Othellos. ( RSCC standing for The Royal Shakespeare Croquet Club – ‘nuf said,)
In an exciting final Sue and Hedley came through 7 – 6 winners with all four players acquitting themselves admirably. This is one of our more important tournaments and is often the first time some of our members enjoy a full day tournament, so particularly well done Alice, Arl Hedley and Viv.
Tea and cakes in the cricket pavilion completed a fun day of croquet.
Club doubles on 29th August 2023
4 pairs braved some heavy rain to compete in the club doubles.
Having a lengthy delay to the start of the competition meant that play didn’t end until 6 pm!!
The games were closely contested and Sue and Roger emerged victorious. They were awarded the trophy and two pots of Eric’s homemade marmalade.
Club singles
Entry to the club singles was determined by players’ handicaps. The 8 lowest handicaps at 24th August were invited to play on 4th September, but only 7 could make it. There was a round robin for 7. Play started at 10:15 and ended around 16:30. The weather was sunny and hot and this took a toll.
Courts 4 and 5 had been prepared the previous day in advance of the Maggie Cowman tournament and the opportunity to ‘christen’ them was taken as an option to playing on courts 1 or 2. Ted triumphed with 6 wins and 28 net hoops. Runner up was Roger with 5 wins and 15 net hoops. The current holder, Roger, presented Ted with the trophy.
