The Long Eaton team have had a busy second week of August. Our first match was on Tuesday, away to Bakewell B who play on the Recreation Ground. The weather was kind to us with no rain and a few sunny intervals. We even had a few interested spectators, who complemented the players! After a tight game which swung one way and then the other, we all felt that a draw was a satisfactory outcome.
The second match was on Friday, also away. This time it was Branston C, a team new to Division 2. The weather was perfect, but it was difficult to concentrate on the matter in hand when the Red Arrows were practising in the skies above. Some wonderful formation flying was witnessed, complete with colourful trailing smoke. The match finished 10-2 in favour of Long Eaton.
Over the past 2 weeks the Long Eaton Park team has played 2 matches in the East Midlands Level Play League - Darley Dale A (July 19th) and Nottingham A (July 26th). Rain threatened the first match, but thankfully abated before play started. Long Eaton managed to beat her old rivals 9-3. The second match was played in glorious sunshine. The Nottingham team struggled with our lawns, and the home team was able to pull off a 9-3 win.
Thanks to Stephanie for these regular match reports.
On June 14th the Long Eaton Park team of Chris Jackson, Stephanie White and Joan Skuse played their second League game. This was an away game to Southwell Croquet Club. Once again it was played in glorious sunshine, but this time Long Eaton came off second best, losing 5-7. The Southwell team rose to the challenge of their first foray into Division 2 and were deserving winners.
The Long Eaton Park Croquet Club enters a team in the East Midlands Golf Croquet League Division 2.
Each team consists of 3 players, and each team member plays 2 doubles and 3 singles matches. So overall 3 games of doubles and 9 games of singles are played. All in all a total of 12 games.
On 24th May, the Long Eaton Park team played the Branston B team. Long Eaton were represented by Chris Jackson (3), Stephanie White (5), and Joan Skuse (7).
The doubles were won by Long Eaton 2-1, while the singles were also won by Long Eaton 5-4. Overall, a 7-5 win to Long Eaton.
It was a lovely sunny day at Branston, and most of the games were hard fought.
13th MayAs a Croquet Club we were among 6 teams from across the East Midlands who competed in the annual Coors Cup and Bass Shield competition at Ashby. Long Eaton dominated with 9 wins and one draw. In the individual tournament Stephanie was the clear winner with 6 wins from 6 games during the day. Very well done to everyone involved!
April Over the Winter closed season we have enjoyed 2 indoors games evenings at the home of our Chairman and his wife & an evening of 10-pin bowling at Ilkeston. All events were most enjoyable and enabled us to keep in touch with each other.
Thanks to Mick, Chris & Sue for organising these events
We are all now looking forward to the start of the 2023 season at the beginning of May
2022
November We enjoyed a Festive meal at The Bull's Head in Breaston. Thanks to Sue for organising it.
October This year we have been able to enjoy playing a full season of Golf Croquet without interruptions due to the Covid pandemic as encountered in the last couple of years. We were very fortunate with the weather throughout and have welcomed a few new members.
2020
February
At the AGM Steph White was presented with the ‘best improver’ cup.
Jane has been invited by the GC Selectors to join the International Performance Development Squad due to her achievements last season. Paul has just completed his 2 year stint with the squad. There have only been 6 people selected throughout the UK so it is indeed an honour.
2019
NEW MEMBERS We welcomed a few new members this season. They seem to enjoy playing and have shown great potential.
LEAGUE RESULTS We have two teams playing in the East Midlands Federation League. Both Long Eaton A and B teams won all their matches and therefore came top of their respective leagues. The B team now move up into the second division. Some of the new members played in the B team gaining invaluable experience in competitive play.
JOAN TRAVERS DOUBLES MEMORIAL SHIELD The Joan Travers Doubles Memorial Shield was held in August and attracted most members of the club. It was an enjoyable, fun day with hard fought games and plenty of cake! The tournament was watched by John and other family members. The winners were Keith and Carol and the trophy was presented to them by John. Congratulations to them both. Photos taken on the day can be viewed in the photo gallery here
LINCOLN CUP This annual event was played at Woodhall Spa in May. Long Eaton Club entered two teams - Keith and Rosemary/Paul and Jane. Everyone enjoyed the day and the highlight was seeing the Lancaster aeroplane flying back to it’s base at Coningsby. Paul and Jane went on to win the tournament. They were invited to Woodhall Spa’s Croquet Club’s Annual Dinner in October to be formally presented with the Cup.
OTHER TOURNAMENTS Chris, Paul and Jane entered several A Level tournaments held at various croquet clubs around the country. Due to Paul’s results he gained a place in the Golf Croquet National Final (Ascot Cup) held at Hurlingham in September.
Jane won The Abnalls Cup at Edgbaston. She is only the second person to retain the trophy in consecutive years, since the tournament’s inception in 1980.
Jane won two B levels at Leighton Linslade and Ashby, which qualified her to play in the B Level National Final held at Guildford in September.
Tim King from Ashby Croquet Club has nominated Jane for The Spiers Trophy, as she is the 5th best improver in the UK and 13th in the world.
DAVID SMITH David Smith was a founder member of Long Eaton Croquet Club. He was a ‘gentle giant’ and helped many new members learn the game. He sadly died on September 18th at the age of 69. Members of the Croquet Club attended his funeral.
2017
Congratulations go to Paul Durkin, a member of the Long Eaton Croquet Club, who qualified and won the Golf Croquet National B-level Final held at Southport.