Category: News and Reports

With good weather and an initial eight players involved this event finally engaged in its inaugural contest at 10.00am on Saturday 9^th August at Shrewsbury.  The event was a pilot for a future regular competition for low handicapped players qualified to represent Shropshire.  The first round of the preliminary stage saw some decisive results, but the second round had some much tighter contests determined on time. These were as follows:

A.M.

John Knowles   beat    Julian Remfry         +13

James Handley   beat   Jeff Billing              +15

Brian Christmas   beat   George James    +22

Alan Ridley    beat    Robin Trew         +7t (18-11)

P.M.

John Knowles   beat   Jeff Billing                   +9

James Handley beat Julian Remfry   +1t (18-17)

Alan Ridley beat Brian Christmas    +3t (17-14)

George James beat Robin Trew        +2t (17-15)

Suitably tired out, we all went home to rest up for second day. Alan, in particular, who was recovering from a recent operation, was apparently suffering more than most. Early on Sunday morning he phoned me to say he was unwell and unable to play that morning. By midday, despite his hopes to re-join us at quarter-final stage, he confirmed his complete withdrawal. Though he did reappear as a spectator of final on Monday. I much appreciate his support of this event.

Since Robin had always going to be unavailable on Sunday morning, we had played our match in advance on Thursday afternoon at Stretton, either side of a massive thunder storm which flooded the lawns for a while. So only two matches were in play on Sunday morning, with George being without an active opponent. He took it well. Furthermore, after calculations in mid-day, I had to give John a bye through to Semi-finals. Three games being played at Stretton on Sunday afternoon.  We even had a few high handicapped members spectating on Sunday morning, and Mary and Claire offering usual light matchday refreshments.  Results as follows;

A.M.

John Knowles beat James Handley               +18

Jeff Billing beat Julian Remfry                           +18

Robin Trew had beaten Brian Christmas     +8t (18-10)

P.M.  QUARTER-FINALS

Brian Christmas beat Julian Remfry                 +9t (18-7)

James Handley beat George James                  +3t (17-14)

Jeff Billing beat Robin Trew                                    +4t (17-13)

John Knowles had Bye.

As the few of us who were taking up the option of sampling the Pound Inn’s ‘Life of Pie’ menu in the evening, gathered for drinks and convivial conversation, the competition was hotting up. No quarter final having gone to peg.

There was a provision for an option for a fifth game on Monday morning, even for the QF losers, but neither George (who does not have a car) or Julian wished to take up this option.  Robin came, supporting us both physically and psychologically during the day, and had his mallet in case anybody came who he could play, but nobody did.  His support is also noted and appreciated.  So, Monday morning, back at Shrewsbury, saw Semi-Finals only, played single banked, followed by a final and third place play off after lunch.  Results now follow.

Semi-Finals.

John Knowles beat Jeff Billing     +2t (18-16)

James Handley beat Brian Christmas      +4t (19-15)

Third Place Play off.

Brian Christmas beat Jeff Billing         +18

FINAL

John Knowles beat James Handley     +13

So, we have our first SHROPSHIRE champion.  A worthy winner who had won all his games, though things got pretty tense at climax of semi-final and he claimed more than once in event that he had been fortunate. I say class brings its own fortune. John is worthy of his ‘2’ handicap. It was just a shame our other ‘2’ and fellow top seed, was unable to complete his matches.

Unfortunately, I was unable to award John a physical trophy. I had thought about purchasing an engraved medal in advance, only to find Shropshire Trophy Centre had closed!

Perhaps next year when I hope event will grow into a bigger, more widely entered competition, better promoted (my fault), and hopefully better supported by those not involved. It has unique qualities which deserve a higher profile. I duly received thanks from many of this years’ participants for all my efforts.   B.C.

Ashby beat Shrewsbury 5-2 (AC Longman Cup)

Ashby, 1st July 2025

We visited Ashby for a second-round Longman Cup match played on very fast, dry and challenging lawns. Most of the games were close, with 5 of the 7 being decided by a margin of 4 points or fewer. Just one of the games finished within the 3 hour 15 min time limit.

Ashby won the match 5-2, a reversal of the result when the teams met in the 2023 Longman Cup at Shrewsbury.

Scores (Ashby players first):

Richard Sanville (12) & Mick Haytack (14) lost to Phil Extance (6) & Alberto Porras (16) -13T (9-22)

Andy Sherwood (8) beat David Hart (7) +2T (15-13)

Adam Wheatley (11) beat Brian Christmas (6) +1T (9-8)

Andy Sherwood beat Brian Christmas +15 (26-11)

Adam Wheatley lost to Phil Extance -3T (15-18)

Richard Sanville beat David Hart +4T (22-18)

Mick Haytack beat Alberto Porras +4T (13-9)

Result: Ashby 5-2 Shrewsbury

A.M.

John Knowles (2.5)   lost to    James Handley (5)         13-17

George James (5)     beat     Julian Remfry  (6)                14-13*

Clain Nicholas (20)   lost to    David Hart  (7)                 12-14

Daryl Goodwin (20)   lost to   Barbara Edwards (11)   11-18

P.M.

John Knowles    beat     Julian Remfry                                  26 – 6

George James   lost to   James Handley                             12-20

Daryl Goodwin   beat    David Hart                                        16-13    

Mary Proctor (12)   lost to    Barbara Edwards                  16-17*  

CHURCH STRETTON  3    SHREWSBURY   5

REPORT by Brian Christmas

On a very hot day with freshly mown lawns, conditions were testing, and competition intense. A glance at scores shows how close most contests were.  As I arrived about 11.00am, my captain for day, John Knowles, was really struggling to get his game together, though he later improved to lose by only 4 on time to James.

George and Julian ended up with a ‘next hoop’ tiebreak (*) in their match, not the last of day.  George claiming Stretton’s only win of the morning.  David eventually triumphed over Claire who was a last minute replacement for injured Shelley, but, aided by bisques, she certainly gave him a contest.  Barbara beat Daryll more comfortably.

After lunch, however, the boot looked to be on the other foot. John had now found his form and was only player in match to peg out, and with a twenty point margin over Julian.  George lost to James, who claimed his second win, but David lost to Daryll (also with many bisques). 

The last game gave us a dramatic finish.  Barbara had been having what she described as her worst game of the season and was well behind to Mary, well matched on handicap. I really thought it was going to end in a match tied at four games each, but then John pointed out that Barbara was catching up!  As time was called, they were all level!  Barbara had the innings, setting up a dolly rush two feet from her next hoop. A moment later she was attempting to run it from two inches but a slight angle after a sloppy approach. It was blobbed!  Mary had a twelve foot roquet. She missed it and Barbara duly won game and match. To her delight, I presented her with trophy, which Stretton had so nearly retained. 

However, both teams expressed satisfaction in a well spirited friendly encounter, and many thanks go to our caterers (cum players) Mary and Claire.

Five pairs entered this season’s advanced doubles competition.  An all-play-all format was played, over five rounds, each of 2½ hours, with two games and one team resting in each round.  Three rounds were played on Day 1, two on Day 2.

Day 1 was hot and increasingly humid, which was particularly draining for those pairs with three games to play.  Day 2 was pleasantly warm.  Early heavy rain caused a short break in proceedings but after that, it was mostly good croquet weather.

The result was decided in the final round.  Alan R and Alan S, with three wins out of three played Julian and Sean, with two out of three.  In a low scoring game, neither side was able to make a decisive break.  Julian’s superb display of hitting-in was a major factor in that pair edging in front to win by +3.

Many congratulations to Julian and Sean on their victory and thank you also to the other pairs, Alan R and Alan S, James and Tim, Robbie and David, and Margaret and Phil for their participation and support.  Barbara also gets an honorable mention for coming along to cheer us on for much of the two days, as does Tina, who treated us to ice creams on the hot first afternoon.

Alan Ridley

This will be held at The Corbett Arms, in the Sabrina Suite, not the pleasant but crowded Conservatory of last year!

This year the Christmas Trophy 14pt Singles Handicap took place on Sunday 31^st May in (reasonably) kind weather, with only a fairly brief, light, shower making an appearance around mid-day, which did little to interrupt play, on what was otherwise a very pleasant late spring day.

A field of 10 competitors, with a spread of handicaps ranging from 22 to ½, battled it out in the two qualifying groups in what transpired to be a tight competition, no player either winning or losing all of their matches and both finalists getting through on the basis of “who-beat-who” tie-breaks. However, when the dust eventually settled, Margaret Hudson and Julian Remfry emerged from the fray at the head of their respective groups.

The two finalists (combined age 177!) then provided a very entertaining final with Margaret, courtesy of a nerveless display of long range hoop running and aggressive use of bisques, eventually overcoming Julian’s thoughtful play to secure the Christmas Trophy with a +8 victory. 

Many thanks to all those who took part in what was a very enjoyable day.

Alberto Porras     

The draft minutes are available in the Members area of the website under the heading “Club Business – Committee” which will require you to login to the website (note – not the Lawn Booking System).

Whilst you are logged in, it is a good opportunity to update your personal profile. Click on your name at the top right of the page and then “Edit Profile”.

These Minutes include a table of the potential Investment Priorities that have been discussed with the Committee. We would welcome any observations you may have on these.

On an almost perfect day for croquet, eight competitors set out on their quest to win the 14 Point Advanced competition and join the illustrious band of players to have been presented wth the Silver Salver.

The players were split into two blocks of four, for the all-play-all phase. In Block A, Robbie won his three games, with a tie for 2nd place between Alan S, Robert and Tim. Alan S qualified for the semi-final as he had the highest net score (-3).  In Block B, Alan R and Sean both won their first two games, to qualify for the semi-finals. They faced each other in the 3rd game, with Alan R narrowly winning +2, to qualify as Block winner (I almost said blockhead!).

In the semis, Robbie played Sean, while Alan S played Alan R. The entire crowd (of about 3) watched the Robbie/Sean match. Don’t ask me how it went as I was on the other lawn, however Robbie pipped Sean +1 in what must have been a nail-biter. Alan R beat Alan S +3.

And so to the final, where in a low scoring game, Alan R established a 5-1 lead over Robbie with time running out. Not to be outdone by a non-worid ranked player, Robbie got a good chance with less than 10 minutes remaining and took a ball to peg, to win the game 6-5.

So it’s many congratulations to Robbie and it’s back to the drawing board for the rest of us.

Alan Ridley

The first one-day competition of the season was enjoyed by all. The weather was kind to us as 12 competitors battled it out for the silver tankard trophy. The Short is a 14 pt handicap competition, with only 55 minutes per game so play is quite fast. All of us either won at least one game or reached a golden hoop play off. Our newest member, Tom, played in his first competition. 7 of the 24 games played were won by the margin of just one point. The final was played between Alan Ridley (the previous holder) and Phil Extance. Alan took his first ball round to peg in a demonstration quality break. Phil followed suit with a break to peg, though assisted by two bisques. Alan just missed hitting in. Phil took his second ball round to peg and lined up a croquet shot to peg out – but the front ball missed. Phil managed to recover using his remaining half bisque to leave his ball close to peg with Alan having to make a fairly long roquet from either of his two balls. Alan just missed the shot, allowing Phil to peg out.

Thanks to all who participated, to those who set up and cleared up, and to those who provided food!

Phil Extance

West Midlands Federation 

The likely match dates arranged for the 2025 season are:

Home: Broadwas – 11^th July

Home: Church Stretton – 28^th July

Away: Kenilworth – June 3^rd

Away: Eardisley – 23rd July

A49 competition

against Church Stretton – 27^th June