Croquet Communique

Interclub National Golf Croquet Final

Saturday 3rd October dawned with the heavy rain that started the evening before, still falling, with hope rather than expectation. I arrived at the Club at 8.45am to find lawns 1-3 with varying sized puddles and significant flooding on lawn 2 – 32mm of rainwater had fallen overnight!

Nottingham, the holders, represented by a very strong team had agreed to play the final at Roehampton Club and, despite the rain, the lawns played extremely well and suitably fast.

Roehampton Club, resplendent in their personalised team shirts, got off to a superb start with the doubles pairing of Harry Fisher and Mark Van Loon defeating Nottingham’s James Death and Ian Burridge 2-0, (coming from 3-5 down in the second game with four hoops in a row).

The two morning singles were very competitive, both going to three games, Tim Russell and Dan Pearson fought hard, so much so that the matches ran over lunch! Before being won by Alain Giraud and Richard Bilton both of Nottingham.

The afternoon consisted of four singles games with Roehampton Club, only winning one, (Harry Fisher over James Death). Mark van Loon had a strong 3-game match losing to Ian Burridge, Tim Russell lost to Richard Bilton on two golden hoop games, and Dan Pearson fell to Alain Giraud taking him to the golden hoop on the second game. Final score Nottingham 5 Roehampton 2. The trophy was presented by John Bowcott, on behalf of the Croquet Association.

We congratulate the Roehampton Club team on reaching the final of such a prestigious tournament and thank them for their efforts and exemplary representation of the Club.

Hurlingham Bowl

The Hurlingham Bowl association match played annually between Roehampton and Hurlingham clubs, which had been postponed from the previous rainy Sunday took place on Sunday 11th October, 2020.

The teams for the match had a number of late changes but a promising day of association croquet competition started in glorious autumn sunshine.

The morning went well for Roehampton winning two of the three doubles and one of the two singles. Tim Russell and Mark Van Loon having won their doubles in good time, also played their ‘afternoon’ singles before lunch, winning both.

Needing two more wins from six matches, Elaine Phillimore, Carole McLoughlin and Sam Russell duly obliged leaving Roehampton winners by 8 matches to 5.

In retaining the trophy, Roehampton have narrowed the overall score to Hurlingham 10 Roehampton 9.

Well done to the Roehampton Team: Tim Russell (Captain), Elaine Phillimore, Carole McLoughlin, Lynn Pearcy, John Pearson, Sam Russell, Mark Van Loon and Peter Honey.

Roehampton Club team

Results of the Summer 2020 Competitions

We are delighted that despite the interruptions by Covid19 the Summer Competitions were able to proceed albeit with some notable absentees and slightly changed formats in some competitions.

Thanks to all who took part for keeping the matches up to date and respecting the Croquet Association’s and Club’s guidance.

Full Results

Enjoy the autumn’s croquet with Rainbows due to start soon and hope the weather is kind to us!

Mike Pattison | Croquet Captain