Author: nigelmartin

The Middlesbrough Handicap Singles Weekend has had a reputation in recent years for not being for the faint-hearted. Cold, wind and rain has severely tested the metal of participants. But what was this – sunshine? While a bit of a cold breeze appeared from time to time, it was for the most part lovely, particularly Sunday, and a few even decided to wear shorts.

We had 9 players covering 8 places over the 2 days. Six were Middlesbrough players who were joined by players from Tyneside, Penrith and Keswick. Handicaps ranged from minus 1.5 to 12.

Given it was Handicap the 2 Blocks of 4 were drawn randomly.

A time limit of 3 hours using all 4 lawns worked well with only a few games going to time.

On Day 2 the winners and runners-up in each block had cross-block semifinals with cross-block matches for those finishing 3^rd and 4^th in the blocks.

In block A Steve Skelton swept the board winning all 3 of his matches; the runner-up being Andrew Killick.

Block B was a little more problematic. Philip Hastings, who was only there for the Saturday won all 3 of his matches however, his block position was set aside meaning the block B winner was Derek Johnson with Julian Gibson runner-up.

Sunday morning’s semifinals saw a reversal of fortunes with both block winners losing to runners-up from the other block.

In the final, Andrew Killick (-1.5) played Julian Gibson (8) with Andrew triumphing 26 – 21.

Dennis Scarr – Manager.

Middlesbrough Charity 1-Ball – April 2025

Following a long held tradition, Middlesbrough’s first Tournament of the season is a Charity 1 Ball. Consequently, 12 players from Clubs within the Croquet North Federation area met at Albert Park, Middlesbrough yesterday.

Weather throughout the week suggested almost perfect conditions with the potential for heatstroke or at least sunburn being the biggest threat. The weather forecast the day before the tournament was in total agreement – the fine weather would continue through Saturday. 

This is the North East – nobody was fooled or lulled into a false sense of security with all competitors arriving weighed down by several layers of clothing and even the odd bobble hat.

Divergence from the standard ‘all white’ attire was encouraged to acknowledge the chosen charity, the Alzheimer’s Society. Consequently, a splattering of blue was seen across the four lawns.

We had 12 players with AC Handicaps ranging from minus 1.5 to 20 (before adjustment for 1 Ball) in an ‘all play all’ format. No time limits were set although the Manager reserved the right to review this if necessary. As it happened, we started at 9.30am, managed continuous refreshment pauses, had a running lunch break and still had everything cleared up and heading for home before 5pm.

The Tournament winner was Dennis Scarr from Middlesbrough Club with 9 wins from 11 matches.

Other results were:

7/11: Andrew Carpenter.

6/11: Chris Stuttard, and Don Wright.

5/11: Nigel Durie, Julian Gibson, Andrew Killick, David Millener, Nigel Roberts, and Stephen Pratt.

4/11: Phil Errington, and Pat Memery.

Thankyou to all those who took part or helped out, and to the spectators who turned up to support the day. 

Hopefully the biggest winner on the day was The Alzheimer’s Society.

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.

The Northern Croquet Academy Course list for 2025 may be viewed below:

Booking may be made via the Academy web site

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.  

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.

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.

Congratulations to Andrew Killick on becoming the Croquet North 2024 AC Advanced Singles Champion. Andrew won both the Draw and Process side of the knock-out competition, obviating the need for a final decider.

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 (8^th 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 9^th hoop against Peter losing 5 – 4. Peter beat Roger 7-4 in the final.

Entries are invited for the 2024 Croquet North GC Open competition (The Turner Goblet). The competition is best suited to players with handicap 7 or lower.