Friendly matches – manager: Robert Mumford
Handicaps are not used and the team usually consists of between 6 and 8 players.
Registration on the booking system opens 28 days before the match. It closes on the day before.
| 8th May | Dales | Home |
| 29th May | Ben Rhydding | Home |
| 12th June | Dales | Away |
| 19th June | Backworth | Away |
| 10th July | Backworth | Home |
| 17th July | Middlesbrough | Home |
| 24th July | Bishop Monkton | Home |
| 6th August | Bishop Monkton | Away |
| 29th August | Ben Rhydding | Away |
| 3rd Sept | Middlesbrough | Away |
Our first match was against the team from Dales. It took place on a most unsummery day [between much nicer days] and, because of a difference in numbers, some host members played for the visitors. The match was played in a very good spirit and very cool conditions. The result was Ripon Spa 97 hoops and Dales 103 hoops. We are all looking forward to the return match on June 12th. Too cold for outdoor photographs.
Our next match was the return against the team from Dales on Thursday 12th June. It was a windy day The Dales team triumphed again and provided an array of delicious cakes, so Ripon Spa did not dwell too long on the result. A poor birthday present for the skip. There is a report, with pictures, on Facebook.
There was no report of the Backworth away match, which the hosts won.
Backworth came to us on Thursday 10th July and brought some very hot weather. After a short delay, because the A1 had been closed, the morning matches were played, using double banking on one court and the hoop difference was only 6 in favour of the hosts. After lunch, the games continued to the close of play, at which point Ripon Spa had 97 hoops and the visitors had 72. Ripon fielded 2 ‘brand new’ players as well as some relatively new ones. A very enjoyable day’s croquet.
There are other details as well as other photographs on our facebook page.
On 17th July a new team arrived to play on our courts. Middlesbrough brought 7 players of various levels, which coincided with Robert’s selection. Because of the numbers, some matches were two to two, one to one and even one to two. The day was just right for playing and the games proceeded in an appropriately friendly way. The final score reflected the advantage of playing on home ground. Ripon Spa ran some 130 hoops compared with nearly 90 run by the visitors.
On 24th July, it was Bishop Monkton‘s turn to visit us. The day was yet another lovely warm day with some welcome cloud cover. Both sides fielded 10 players which allowed a rest for some. Play started close to 10am. The score was fairly level through first 3 rounds but Ripon pulled away in round 4 and after lunch. The match finished at 3:45, with Ripon Spa having run 126 hoops to Bishop Monkton’s 81. Then it was time for tea and cakes.
On 6th July, it was our turn to visit Bishop Monkton. The day was yet another warm day with some welcome cloud cover. We took 8 players and the hosts had 10, allowing a change after lunch. Play started close to 10am. The score was exactly level through first 4 rounds but Ripon pulled away after lunch. The match finished at 3:45, with Ripon Spa having run 120 hoops to Bishop Monkton’s 108. Then it was time for tea and cakes.
Our penultimate match was at Ben Rhydding on Friday 29th August. The forecast was not entirely favourable, but the expected rain amounted to just a few drops., which did not dampen anyone’s spirits. We took 7 players and the hosts had 10 to choose from. The games were very even throughout the day and this was reflected in the final hoop score. Hosts 110 and visitors 107. Then it was time for tea and cakes.
For our final match of the season on 3rd September, we visited Middlesbrough with some unease about the weather forecast. There was some rain, but it did not last very long and it did not interfere with the games. In a break with tradition, there was a singles match in each of the rounds and the host’s decision was applauded by the visitors. This was introduced because so many players have little experience of such games. It might catch on. In another change from established practice, the result was by games rather than hoops. Ripon Spa won 7games and Middlesbrough won 4. All the players seemed to enjoy the day. Certainly the Ripon Spa players really enjoyed the friendliness, hospitality and the courts.
