Category: News

York represented the YCF in this year’s Inter-Club SC competition. Having won two previous rounds against Bury, then Chester, York CC played host for the final against Nottingham. 11 games were played over the course of the day; 2-1 to the visitors after R1 doubles and singles, R2 ended with a cliff hanger between York’s Cathie Dance and Nottingham’s Tom Dewar. The spectators massed round the lawn. Could Tom score 2 peels and 3 more hoops to contest GH? A stylish jump shot and a rush peel, then an audacious long distance take-off to hoop 6 nearly evened the score at time. He came so close but Cathie prevailed. By lunchtime Nottingham were 4-3 in the lead. All to play for in the four remaining singles games in R3.

The afternoon session was decisive. Two York players, Chris Atkinson and Wendy Robertson, both pegged out, Wendy with an impressive 14-0 victory. York were now 5-4 ahead. But Nottingham won the other two singles, David Park and Tom Dewar playing controlled and precise croquet, using their bisques well.

The final result was 6-5 to Nottingham: Congratulations to them! And particular thanks to the CA President Patricia Duke-Cox for travelling north to support the event.

Well done York team (Chris Atkinson, Cathie Dance, Wendy Robertson, Debbie James) on an impressive run to the final. We came so close!

A strong and enthusiastic field of five teams from across the Federation entered: Beverley Minster, Beverley Westwood, Huddersfield, York Eboracum and York Jorvik. A day of competitive play was anticipated as the teams were evenly matched, with combined team handicaps ranging from 20½ to 26½.

The lawns at York were, as usual, wonderfully prepared. As a result of the recent dry weather, they started off playing fast but under the unbroken June sunshine soon became challenging for many. Hoop approaches from anywhere other than directly in front were definitely best avoided.

After a thoroughly enjoyable day of play with each team playing a match comprising of four singles against each other team, the overall result was not decided until the final round of games was played. This was not only due to the close nature of many of the matches but also the complicated schedule of games due to the odd number of teams.

Team winners were York Eboracum who finished with six points from three wins, but they were denied a clean sweep by second placed York Jorvik who finished with five points from a win and three draws.

Best Individual was Alison from York Jorvik who won all four of her games.

Many thanks to York Croquet Club for hosting this event and to all those who helped in any way which made the day so successful.

York Eboracum: L to R – Richard, Sue, Wendy and Tom

Best Individual: Alison, York Jorvik 

There were bigger things than the Coronation on Saturday 6th May; the Charity 1-ball regional final at Nottingham. A strong field of 18 players, including 4 from clubs in the YCF (Dean Morton and Ki Hulme from Sheffield, Cathie Dance and Chris Atkinson from York) contested a day of competition on the magnificent lawns, and enjoyed the superb catering (canapés and bubbly in honour of the occasion).

All 4 YCF players had success over 7 rounds, no one went home disappointed with their play against some testing opposition – ranging from heavily bisqued high handicappers to minus players, GC specialists and AC afficionados.  Cathie made it to the shoot-out to the peg as one of the 3 for runner-up spot, narrowly missing out by a toe length! But she did win a special prize (in recognition of getting so close for a second year) of a Nottingham Forest shirt, emblazoned with this year’s charity logo.

The winner of the final, Mark Innes of Nottingham CC, successfully defended his title.

Nationally this year’s heats raised in excess of £7000 for UNHCR, so well done and  thanks to all who played. Looking forward to doing it all again next year.

A great turn-out from clubs across the Federation for the YCF heat of the Charity 1-ball (York, Ripon Spa, Huddersfield, Lepton, Driffield, Ryedale, Beverley & ER, Bishop Monkton), generously hosted by York CC. 6 rounds of play, keenly contested games, close and exciting finishes, super hitting and ball placement; a great advert for our sport. All played in a spirit of fun and friendly rivalry, cold weather notwithstanding.

Congratulations to this year’s winner, Cathie Dance of York, and runner-up Chris Atkinson also of York. 5 wins each, 70 hoops scored a piece but Cathie beat Chris in R2, so earned the trophy. Special mention to David Young of York for his excellent 4 wins and improved play. Big thanks to all who came to compete and who helped in every way to make the day run smoothly. Also, excellent cakes from Alison, Cathie, Fiona and Wendy added to the total raised for UNHCR of £250. The YCF can now send 3 players to the national finals. Go Yorkshire!

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.

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!

The Maggie Cowman Cup

September 5th and 6th 2022

A Festival of Croquet to remember our good friend, Maggie

Monday September 5th

A day of Progressive Doubles for Maggie Inclusion Medals,
with an evening barbeque to follow.

Tuesday September 6th

Golf Croquet Singles for the Maggie Cowman Cup

Please register for either or both days.

Fees in aid of The Freeman Heart and Lung Transplant Association.
£10 per day (or more!) to be paid to Ripon Spa Croquet Club.

Contact: secretary@riponspacroquetclub.org

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.

See the full match report on the CA website.