Southport & Birkdale Croquet Club

There was a Great turnout for FINALS WEEKEND

A List of ALL THE WINNERS along with pictures of the trophy presentations is available in the NEWSLETTER SECTION in the ABOUT US menu of this site

SOUTHPORT WIN LEAGUE TITLE

The shield has come home, win for Southport 11 – 5 + 2 Draws

The team of Terry, Mike, Sue and Bryan, 

Weather not good to start. Southport went off to a flying start by winning both their doubles and by lunchtime they were well in the lead. 

After lunch they could take their foot off the gas, the game was in the bag

Fylde were great hosts and tea coffee and cake were laid on. A good day had by all.

The team got the job done and brought the title of League Champions home to Southport.

Southport are hosting the Spencer Ell Tournament this weekend.

This is a tournament where 8 of the top players in the CA play for 5 days against each other .

Players taking part are Neal Bacon,Lorna Dewar,David Harrison-Wood, Dave Kibble, Annabel McDiarmid, Mark Ormerod , Paul Rigge, Robert Wilkinson. All Players are minus players and visitors are welcome to come and watch some superb play

Wonderful Croquet in the Spencer Ell Tournament  (Report by Peter Williams).

We were privileged to host the national Spencer Ell Competition in September, when the third top best players available in the country competed for this very prestigious trophy (see full details in last months Newsletter).  Some great Croquet was played over the five days and it was great to see club members enjoying the action as they watched some fabulous play.  It was also re-assuring for us mere mortals to witness top players making mistakes such as playing the wrong ball!!

The outcome was not decided until the final round of games was completed and the worthy winner was Lorna Dewar (pictured) from Nottingham Croquet Club with Robert Wilkinson of Bristol the gallant runner-up.

unfortunately the Southport Weekend ( 17-18th Sept has had to be cancelled

Chester team arrived at Southport early on Wednesday 17th August and were happy to help put out the hoops etc.

By lunchtime the sun had heated up once again and Southport were leading 2-1 having won the doubles and 1 of the 2 singles. a break for lunch and a sit in the shade for a few minutes and then on with the next 3 hours for the remaining 4 single matches which were drawn at 2 each so Southport were happy to come away with a 4-3 win

The semi final Southport V Dowlish Wake played at Edgbaston.

The team travelled down on the Monday afternoon and stayed at the travel lodge for a rest before the game on Tuesday 0930 start.

Both teams arrived early to get the game under way, even at 0930 the weather was extremely hot, all the games were very closely matched and up to lunch time it was even score.

The time was getting on, we were all feeling the effects of the heat and it came down to the last two games. Unfortunatly Southport were not able to win both games so final score 4 – 3 to Dowlish Wake. They now play the Isle of White.

The whole team ( Terry Dunbar, Don Williamson, Mike Armstrong and Sue Wilkie), did very well up against a club that only play golf.

Terry

LP Match played 2/8/22 Southport V Chester Centurions result Southport 8 Chester Centurions 10,

Team Terry Dunbar, Mike Armstrong, and Sue Wilkie, Chester put out a very good team playing off handicaps of 1, so the team held there own  until the last 2 games which gave Chester the overall win.

Weather was very up and down rain/ sunshine but a good day had by all.

Southport 9 Chester 7 Short Match.

The heat wave had long gone as rain and cloud lasted all day. Umbrellas were up and down as Southport succeeded.

Giving 21 bisque over all it was a good team effort to win.

It was nice to welcome Bill Nicholl back to playing as he has rejoined the club.

The rest of the team was Derek Lunt, Barbara and John Haslam. 

We are now top of the league (for the moment)!!

18 JULY 2022 BY

Eight contestants all enjoyed single banking on the Old Lawns; made possible by the facilities at the North Lawns providing excellent courts for any members wishing to dare the blazing Mid-day Sunshine during the weekend. 

Playing in the rather tricky conditions of faster than usual lawns and rock solid hoop setting was a treat for everyone although, due to this, not many games finished quickly. 

The manager, John Haslem, set up two blocks which produced Semi Final Sunday. In the morning Dennis Scarr and Brian Medley were both beaten in tense time turns by Neil Adams and Charles Harding. 

The final was a fascinating match between the rapidly improving Neil and the cool experience of Charles. The ‘royal box’ was full to capacity with members and visitors watching proceedings.

In presenting the trophy, Brian Lewis the Chairman of S & B CC made reference to the club’s commitment for holding this important and long standing event. We were all pleased to hear this and have our fingers crossed that this and many other tournaments will bounce back in 2023 following the pandemic years. 

Report by Peter Wilson