Recent News
2024
Long Eaton finished the Division 2 League in 2nd position.
We were just pipped at the post by Nottingham A. Both teams had 5.5 match wins, but Nottingham had won 4 more games.
02.10.2024 Sheffield
After numerous attempts to arrange this match, we finally met on a cold but thankfully dry day.
The journey up the M1 was a tortuous affair (roadworks), and with Sheffield only having 1 lawn we were expecting a late finish. This turned out to be false, with play progressing at a quick pace. It was certainly a novelty to play on a crown green lawn, and surprisingly Long Eaton won 9-3.
25.09.2024 Branston B
Today we hosted their team, and we were fairly evenly matched with just a 2 point difference in overall handicaps in our favour. Playing on our home ground we managed to pull off a 10-2 win.
8/08/24
Today was a match against Nottingham A, on their secondary lawns at Lenton Recreation Ground. The weather was variable, but not so the croquet. Although Nottingham had the advantage of home turf, and 5 points in handicaps, the hoop difference between the teams was only 5. Surprisingly, this translated into a 9 - 3 win for Nottingham. Hard luck Long Eaton!
24/07/24
Our first away match of the season was to the Woodhall Spa team, and again the handicaps were very similar, with a difference of only 1 favouring the home team. At lunch time the match was drawn at 3 - 3, but the singles in the afternoon went in Long Eaton's favour. The final result was a win to Long Eaton 8 - 4.
22/07/24
Today we hosted the Leicester B team, and with each team having the same overall handicap, we knew that it would be a tight affair. The end result was a 7 - 5 win to Long Eaton
Our second match was against Bakewell B, again at home. This time the weather wasn't quite so kind... cool with the occasional light shower. This didn't deter play, and in fact games were played so quickly that they were all completed before we had our lunch, albeit slightly later than usual! The Long Eaton side of Chris Jackson, Stephanie White and Joan Skuse fared well and were able to pull off a win 9-3.
The 2024 season opened with a home match against Southwell A. The weather was kind to us, with sunny skies and little wind. Over lunch we discovered that most locals call their home Southwell, and one member regaled us with tales of ploughing competitions. All in all, it was an enjoyable day, and ended up as a draw 6-6.
2023
The 2023 season of FEMCC League Matches finished on August 30th for the Long Eaton team. We played Bakewell A at home on the West Park lawns. Unfortunately, they were too good for us and we ended up losing 4-8. This meant that Bakewell A won the Division 2 League, winning all their matches (7), and being promoted to Division 1 for the 2024 season. Long Eaton finished in 3rd position, having won 4.5 matches to Southwell A's 5 matches.
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.
We were just pipped at the post by Nottingham A. Both teams had 5.5 match wins, but Nottingham had won 4 more games.
02.10.2024 Sheffield
After numerous attempts to arrange this match, we finally met on a cold but thankfully dry day.
The journey up the M1 was a tortuous affair (roadworks), and with Sheffield only having 1 lawn we were expecting a late finish. This turned out to be false, with play progressing at a quick pace. It was certainly a novelty to play on a crown green lawn, and surprisingly Long Eaton won 9-3.
25.09.2024 Branston B
Today we hosted their team, and we were fairly evenly matched with just a 2 point difference in overall handicaps in our favour. Playing on our home ground we managed to pull off a 10-2 win.
8/08/24
Today was a match against Nottingham A, on their secondary lawns at Lenton Recreation Ground. The weather was variable, but not so the croquet. Although Nottingham had the advantage of home turf, and 5 points in handicaps, the hoop difference between the teams was only 5. Surprisingly, this translated into a 9 - 3 win for Nottingham. Hard luck Long Eaton!
24/07/24
Our first away match of the season was to the Woodhall Spa team, and again the handicaps were very similar, with a difference of only 1 favouring the home team. At lunch time the match was drawn at 3 - 3, but the singles in the afternoon went in Long Eaton's favour. The final result was a win to Long Eaton 8 - 4.
22/07/24
Today we hosted the Leicester B team, and with each team having the same overall handicap, we knew that it would be a tight affair. The end result was a 7 - 5 win to Long Eaton
Our second match was against Bakewell B, again at home. This time the weather wasn't quite so kind... cool with the occasional light shower. This didn't deter play, and in fact games were played so quickly that they were all completed before we had our lunch, albeit slightly later than usual! The Long Eaton side of Chris Jackson, Stephanie White and Joan Skuse fared well and were able to pull off a win 9-3.
The 2024 season opened with a home match against Southwell A. The weather was kind to us, with sunny skies and little wind. Over lunch we discovered that most locals call their home Southwell, and one member regaled us with tales of ploughing competitions. All in all, it was an enjoyable day, and ended up as a draw 6-6.
2023
The 2023 season of FEMCC League Matches finished on August 30th for the Long Eaton team. We played Bakewell A at home on the West Park lawns. Unfortunately, they were too good for us and we ended up losing 4-8. This meant that Bakewell A won the Division 2 League, winning all their matches (7), and being promoted to Division 1 for the 2024 season. Long Eaton finished in 3rd position, having won 4.5 matches to Southwell A's 5 matches.
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.
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.
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 May As 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
To read the write-up on the Croquet Association website please click on the following link
https://www.croquet.org.uk/?p=press/news&NewsID=6166
https://www.croquet.org.uk/?p=press/news&NewsID=6166
