The Administrative Body of Croquet in the North East of England
The play-off final between the leaders of the Division 3 North and Division 3 South leagues took place between Belsay Castle and Jarrow Blue on neutral lawns at Backworth.
In the tightest of matches the 18 games finished 9 to each side, so the overall winners had to be decided on hoop difference, with Belsay Castle coming out just in front by 5 hoops.
Congratulations to the winners and many thanks to Backworth for the use of their lawns and their hospitality.
On the greens in Middlesbrough and in good conditions except for very strong winds, a dozen competitive players battled in two Blocks followed by knockouts. The competition was won by William Steadman for the second year running.
| Group A | |||||||
| WS | TM | JF | LJ | DW | GP | Wins | |
| William Steadman | x | 7-2 | 3-3 | 7-3 | 7-4 | 7-0 | 4.5 |
| Tony McCann | 2-7 | x | 7-3 | 7-3 | 7-3 | 7-0 | 4 |
| Jim Forster | 3-3 | 3-7 | x | 7-1 | 7-4 | 7-3 | 3.5 |
| Laura Johnston | 3-7 | 3-7 | 1-7 | x | 7-4 | 7-3 | 2 |
| David Whaling | 4-7 | 3-7 | 4-7 | 4-7 | x | 6-3 | 1 |
| Glynis Parks | 0-7 | 0-7 | 4-7 | 3-7 | 3-6 | x | 0 |
| Group B | |||||||
| PT | PE | JP | DM | CS | DH | Wins | |
| Peter Tymms | x | 5-4 | 7-3 | 7-5 | 7-5 | 7-1 | 5 |
| Phil Errington | 4-5 | x | 6-3 | 7-5 | 7-3 | 5-6 | 3 |
| Jane Pringle | 3-7 | 3-6 | x | 7-1 | 4-5 | 6-5 | 2 |
| Don Morton | 5-7 | 5-7 | 1-7 | x | 7-4 | 6-4 | 2 |
| Chris Stuttard | 5-7 | 3-7 | 5-4 | 4-7 | x | 7-3 | 2 |
| David Hall | 1-7 | 6-5 | 5-6 | 4-6 | 3-7 | x | 1 |
| Semi-Finals | William Steadman vs Phil Errington | 6-4 |
| Peter Tymms vs Tony McCann | 6-5 | |
| Final | William Steadman vs Peter Tymms | 7-2 |
| 3rd Place | Phil Errington vs Tony McCann | 7-5 |
NB this is not part of the Croquet England B & C level series.
To be held on Sunday 12th July 2026 at Middlesbrough Croquet Club. Starting at 10.00am
Entry requirements:
B level handicap 4+
C level handicap 7+
Entries by email to johnandjanepringle@btinternet.com or derekjohnson53@hotmail.com
Entry fee £10 payable on the day
Contact No 07860 203576 in case of very inclement weather on the day.
Middlesbrough Croquet Club held its annual 1-Ball Tournament as a season opener on Sat 4thApril.
It was a day for layers of clothing, with a splash of red in recognition of the national events chosen charity, Save The Children. Although occasionally chilly, Storm Dave was good enough to stay clear of Albert Park, Middlesbrough at least until our course was run.
We had a field of 10 players, 7 from the Croquet North region and 3 very welcome guests from Bury Croquet Club.
1-Ball handicaps ranged from minus 3 to 12.5 with an ‘all play all’ format with no time limits. Moving along at a nice pace starting at 10am, using all 4 lawns, we had all 45 games done and dusted before 4pm.
Midway through the day there were 5 players racking up an impressive number of wins but despite suffering his only loss in round 8, Philip Hastings from the Middlesbrough Club stormed to victory with an impressive 8 wins from 9 games.
Standings
| Player | Club | Games |
| Philip Hastings | Middlesbrough | 8/9 |
| Phillip Errington | Belsay Hall | 6/9 |
| Richard Leach | Bury | 6/9 |
| Nigel Roberts | Middlesbrough | 6/9 |
| Athony Miller | Middlesbrough | 5/9 |
| Dennis Scarr | Middlesbrough | 4/9 |
| Duncan Meachin | Bury | 3/9 |
| Chris Stuttard | Middlesbrough | 3/9 |
| Simon Attwell | Bury | 2/9 |
| David Millener | Belsay Hall | 1/9 |
The 2026 GC Singles competition (available to CN members only) will take place on Saturday 13 June at Albert Park, Middlesbrough starting at 10 am.
To enter, contact the competition manager Peter Tymms by email. The closing date for applications is 1 June 2026 with the competition allocations being made on 7 June.
The entry fee is £10 payable on the day.
As in previous years there will be season-long AC competitions for handicap singles and doubles, and advanced singles on a draw/process basis to guarantee everyone at least two games in each event.
Entry fee is £5 per person per event, which should be paid directly to the NEBA account.
Please advise Julian Gibson by email no later than Sunday 19th April if you wish to enter, and, if you are entering the doubles, the name of your nominated partner.
York 7 Middlesbrough 0
Results (York first)
Chris Atkinson & Fiona Crompton bet Anthony Miller & julian gibson 24 - 13 (t)
Debbie James beat Nigel Roberts 21 - 16 (t)
Alison Larard Beat Brian Gardner 14 - 11 (t)
Chris Atkinson beat Anth0ny Miller 24 - 13 (t)
Fiona Crompton beat Julian Gibson 25 - 19 (t)
Debbie James beat Brig Gardner 25 - 11 (t)
Alison Larard beat Nice Roberts 14 -11
The annual contest for the Pennine Cup was played on 26 June 2025 at Middlesbrough in mostly pleasant conditions.
The morning doubles were won by the North West 2 - 0, and the afternoon singles by croquet North 3 - 1 meaning the match was a 3 - 3 draw. North West therefore retain the trophy.
Match Scores (CN first)
Andrew Killick and Julian Gibson lost to Peter & Liz Wilson 23 - 26
Anthony Miller and Nigel Durie lost to Stephen Skelton * Chris Williamson 12 - 26
Andrew Killick beat Peter Wilson 26 - 15
Anthony Miller beat Liz Wilson 26 - 15
Julian Gibson beat Stephen Skelton 21 - 19 (t)
Nigel Durie lost to Chris Williamson 10 - 15 (t)
York 1 Middlesbrough 3
Results (York names first)
Cathie Dance & Chris Atkinson lost to Julian Gibson & Nigel Roberts 15 - 21
Debbie James lost to Brian Gardner 14 - 15 (Golden Hoop)
Chris Atkinson lost to Julian Gibson 10 - 26
Cathie Dance & Debbie James beat Nigel Roberts & Brian Gardner 16 - 10
Tyneside 2 Middlesbrough 2
(Tyneside first)
Don Morton & Derek Johnson beat Dennis Scarr & Julian Gibson 26 - 21
Nora Burridge beat Nigel Durie 21 - 14
Don Morton and Nora Burridge lost to Dennis Scarr and Nigel Durie 22 - 26
Derek Johnson lost to Julian Gibson 11 - 26