Northern Croquet Academy Change for Wednesday 14 May 2024

Stephen Custance-Baker’s advertised course on short croquet tactics has been changed to an offer of one hour 1-to-1 coaching sessions on any topic of your choice, AC or GC.

Full details and booking via the NCA website, northerncroquetacademy.org

It is possible to double up and share a session with a friend if you would both like to be coached on the same topic. A practice lawn will be available all day at York CC to consolidate the coaching.

2024 Turner Goblet

On Sunday September 8 the Turner goblet was played at Backworth Croquet Club, the first time this venue has hosted the competition.

The weather was far from ideal, a foggy start followed by rain for the four rounds that were played before lunch.

Despite the weather sixteen competitors battled through the initial rounds and by lunchtime we had our eight quarter finalists.

Arnie Clegg, Tony McCann,Jane Pringle and Peter Tymms were eliminated in the quarter-finals. William Steadman went on to beat Don Morton 7-6 in one semi-final, and Roger Carpenter beat Wendy Gladstone in the other, also by 7-6 in another close battle.

William went on to win the trophy with a convincing 7-1 victory over Roger in the final.

Meanwhile in the playoff for the eight who missed out on the quarter finals Phil Errington won beating David Millener 7-5.

Despite the weather, which had at least dried up after lunch, everyone seemed to enjoy the day’s play.  

Croquet North AC Championships

The 2024 Croquet North AC Championships are now complete, and congratulations to the winners:

  • Advanced – Andrew Killick
  • Handicap – Dave Okell
  • Handicap Doubles – Dave Okell and Don Wright

Particular congratulations to Dave Okell, who, in his first season of CN AC Championships, won Bothe the Handicap Singles and Handicap Doubles.

2024 CN AC Doubles Champions

Congratulations to Don Wright and Dave Okell on becoming the Croquet North 2024 AC Doiubles Champions. Don and Dave won both the Draw and Process side of the knock-out competition, obviating the need for a final decider.

GC Singles Championship

The Croquet North Golf Croquet Singles Championship was played at the well-organised grounds in Albert Park, Middlesbrough on Saturday 10 August. This competition is only open to CN players whereas the Turner Goblet (8th Sept) is an open competition.

 In ideal weather with no sign of the riots earlier in the week the 16 players started with four blocks made as equal as possible according to handicap. These matches proceeded largely as expected although Don Morton managed to buck the trend and finish in the top half of the 16.

The afternoon was devoted to knockouts for the top half and for the lower half.

Phil Errington won the lower half and the runner up was Eric Nixon.

In the top half a surprising win by Peter Tymms knocked out Tony McCann in the first round whilst Roger Carpenter managed to get to the final having beaten Jane Pringle and Laura Johnson. William Steadman got to the semifinal having just beaten Nigel Martin 7-6 where he fought for what seemed an age at the 9th hoop against Peter losing 5 – 4. Peter beat Roger 7-4 in the final.

Penine Cup (Which is still lost!)

Teams of 6 from Croquet North and The North West Fed met at Pendle for the annual contest. 

North – Andrew Killick (- 1 ½), Terry Vernazza (3),David Millener (6), Julian Gibson (c)(8), Nigel Durie (10) and Derek Johnson (12)

North West – Lee Hartley (-1), John Henderson (5) Chris Alvey (8), Betty Bates (8), Anne Alvey (10 and Libby Dixon (12) (Non-playing Captain Liz Wilson)

The three morning  advanced doubles paired 1 with 6, 2 with 5 and 3 with 4.  John and Anne saw off Terry and Nigel in record time winning 26 – 0 and Chris and Betty did pretty much the same thing against David and Julian 26 – 3.  The other game featuring the minus players was far more tactical with Lee and Libby beating Andrew and Derek 26 – 9.  So 3 nil to the North West at lunch.

In the afternoon the first 4 pairings played level advanced with the final two pairings playing handicap.  First to finish was Lee vs Andrew 26 – 9.  The next to finish was Terry vs John which went to the North East 26 – 9.  Chris Alvey then produced the match deciding win against David Millener  again winning 26 – 9.  The other three games all went to time and were very close and exciting.  Libby beat Derek 26 – 21 in the time turn.  Julian beat Betty 20 – 18 and Anne beat Nigel 18 – 16.  The final score 7 – 2 to The North West but it could easily have been 5 – 4!