This year’s Inter-Federation Challenge morphed into an Intra Federation contest as Croquet North postponed to 2023. So the Yorkshire Puddings took on the Yorkshire Teas in a day of fun and friendly competition on York’s lawn 3.
The customary rounds of AC doubles, GC doubles and 1-ball united clubs and players of both codes from Bishop Monkton, Ripon, York, Huddersfield and Beverley & East Riding. The Yorkshire Teas (Debbie, Cathie, Jack and Denise) resolved the even match score after the doubles rounds to become challenge champions for 2022, winning the match 6-4. Philip earned ‘player with most wins’, Denise ‘most improved player’, Wendy ‘most promising player’ and Debbie ‘player with best break’.
Our prizes of new season apples complemented what became a foodie experience – cream teas and cakes aplenty! Thanks to Wolfie for accepting the role of YCF official mascot, and to Ted for organising a grand day to round off this season’s Yorkshire Federation events.
The Hazel Wadsworth Trophy being presented to Bryan Hopkinson and Marian Swift by Hazel’s granddaughter Carolyn.
Lepton Croquet club remembered Hazel Wadsworth with a Doubles Golf Croquet competition on Friday 23/9/22.
Hazel was a founder member of our club which we started in Lepton in 2010 where we played for 5 years before moving to Ravensknowle Park Bowling Green in 2016.
She was our ”I will be mum” for brewing a cuppa, always making Tea/Coffee and Biscuits for all our members during a playing session. Hazel was a bit grumpy at times; don’t put the wet teaspoon in the coffee or sugar jars; put your teabag in the bin; put the lid on the biscuit tin, but we loved her nevertheless.
Hazel played at Huddersfield Croquet club when it first began 30 years ago and played constantly until becoming a social member. She was playing at least twice a week at Lepton Club until shortly before her death in August 2021. She was always keen to win and to help new members with their coaching.
We have named a Trophy in memory of her, “The Hazel Wadsworth Memorial Teapot Trophy.” which was presented to the winners Bryan Hopkinson and Marian Swift by Hazel’s granddaughter Carolyn. A good day was had by all, playing and reminiscing about her character and willingness to help everyone she knew.
She is sorely missed.
By Margaret Wood (Founder and Chair- Lepton Croquet Club) If you are interested in playing Croquet please see our website at https://croquet-websites.org.uk/lepton
AC players from a range of clubs in the Yorkshire Croquet Federation met on the York lawns for a weekend of 18-point full lawn croquet. We welcomed new players to the competition, and renewed acquaintances with familiar faces. Six rounds over two days were played in a spirit of friendship and warmth, with coffee and cake a much appreciated part of the daily schedule (thanks Fiona!)
Day 1 ended with three players on three wins with 7 points, each having pegged out for a bonus point in one of their three games. Would Sue Longcroft of York, Helen Griffiths of Beverley & East Riding or David Wilson of Ryedale maintain their winning form into day 2?
The rain kept away and the lawns continued to play fast. David Wilson was replaced as planned by Anna Giraud of Huddersfield, while Fiona Crompton (tournament manager, with a recovering knee) stepped in unexpectedly to cover for an incapacitated (also with a knee problem) day 1 York player. A neat symmetry of sorts!
The York and Sheffield 2-win winners from day 1 stepped up another gear. All was to play for in the final round. Would it be James Pitt, Maggie Crossland, Helen Griffiths or Dave Hudson to lift the trophy? By the end of play Maggie Crossland from Sheffield had secured runner-up spot, with 5 wins from 6 games and 92 hoops, earning herself a handicap reduction in the process.
James Pitt of York emerged as the eventual winner of the tournament, with 5 wins from 6 games, 93 hoops and 13 points from 3 games taken to peg. He earned not only the trophy but also a handicap reduction. Congratulations to both James and Maggie.
Special mention also of Helen (BERCC) and Dave (York), just pipping Helen to 3rd place overall, scoring 75 to Helen’s 85 hoops, but earning more peg-out points from four out of six wins. Well played both.
And finally to the winner of the coveted Terry’s chocolate orange, a fine York tradition. Denise Foster of York, universally acknowledged as the cheeriest and smiliest player of the weekend, took home the bounty. A very popular winner.
Thanks to Fiona for organising, James for assisting, everyone for the games and for helping in all the ways, and to York CC for hosting. Looking forward to next year’s competition already!
James Pitt receives the trophy from FionaGroup photo of all participants
The York lawns welcomed players from newly formed Driffield CC to the YCF SC Tournament 2022 on 17th July 2022.
The Driffield team + David Wilson of Ryedale
They joined entrants from York CC, Huddersfield, Ryedale and Beverley & East Riding to make a field of 16. Overcast skies and a smattering of rain greeted our arrival, but soon the forecast sun and extreme heat materialised as we played 4 rounds of 14 point short croquet.
York Smarties and BERCC contested the final, with Smarties emerging winners with 3 wins from 4 games in the final round. Congratulations to Wendy Robertson, the young emerging talent of York, Cathie Dance, Sue Longcroft and James Pitt. Mo Atkinson of Driffield and Wendy were runners-up for the Armada plate, with Debbie James of BERCC taking home the silverware.
Debbie receives the ‘best performer’ silverware from Dave Hudson
An enjoyable day of croquet under the management of Dave Hudson and Fiona Crompton. Well played all and thanks for the day!
A YCF team of Beverley & East Riding and York CC players travelled to Bury for R1 of this season’s national Inter-Club SC competition. Well prepared lawns, but less well organised weather, greeted our arrival. A mixed day of fortunes, a fast and testing lawn 1, tactical play with bisques and good hoop running from both sides, saw Bury emerge the eventual winners after 11 games.
Thanks to the YCF players – Sue Longcroft, Debbie James (Captain), Helen Griffiths and Denise Foster who made up the team so willingly and endured an early start from home.
The 3 heats of the Charity 1-ball, at Ripon Spa, Sheffield and York croquet clubs, resulted in 6 players from clubs in the YCF travelling to Nottingham on Saturday 7 May for the national Final (in the north). From York: Callum Johnson and Fiona Crompton, heat winner and runner-up from 2021, also Cathie Dance and James Pitt; from Ripon Spa: Andrea Widdison; representing Sheffield: Eugene Chang.
Congratulations to Cathie on winning the runner-up prize in the national Final. As James observed, “It was a nail-biting finish. But Cathie held her nerve and concentration. Her tactics were superb and her accuracy just about perfect. She deserved this!” The crystal goblet awaits a christening as it was not large enough for Cathie’s celebratory beer! Congratulations also due to Callum on making a successful defence of his 2021 title at York, and to Chris Atkinson who, in his 2nd season of croquet, was runner-up in this heat. Sadly Covid intervened to prevent his travelling to Nottingham to compete.
A total of £270 was raised from the YCF heats in aid of this year’s nominated charity, Mind. Since 2007 £54K has been raised for various charities from regional heats. Big thanks to players in Yorkshire clubs, including Beverley & East Riding and Ryedale, for supporting the event, and let’s do it again next year.
Cathie in play at NottinghamYork players Fiona and James (right and 2nd from right)Callum in play at NottinghamYork heatSelfie from Sheffield heat
