Crake Valley Croquet Club (North West), won a thrilling final against Phyllis Court B team (Southern), in the CqE National GC Federations Shield 

Having won the toss to host the final Crake Valley – Chris Williamson (handicap 3), Ray Hodgson (5), Graham Jowett (7) and Brenda Knight (11) had several close games with Phyllis Court B – Frances Colman (2), Rob Eagle (5), Helen Essa (5) and Jeff Smith (6). Referees for the day were David Cornes (Crake) and Chris Roberts (Phyllis Court).

The wonderful setting prompted excellent play throughout the day despite some challenging weather conditions.

In the morning Jowett and Knight overcame Colman and Essa (7-5, 7-6) but Chris Williamson lost to Rob Eagle in 2 straight games before Ray Hodgson recovered from a slow start to beat Jeff Smith (1-7,7-5, 7-5). Two matches to one in Crake’s favour at lunchtime.

After game one of the afternoon singles Crake were ahead in 3 matches and looked favorites to win the shield. However, Phyllis Court fought back strongly taking 3 matches to the final game. Results came in rapidly, Frances Colman levelled for Phyllis Court by beating Chris Williamson (7-4, 6-7, 7-5), then Ray Hodgson edged Crake ahead (v Rob Eagle 7-6, 7-6). The lead lasted just minutes as Jeff Green completed his comeback with a win (3-7, 7-3, 7-3) against Brenda Knight. 

In the final match Graham Jowett and Helen Essa were level in games (7-5, 4-7) with Graham 3-1 up in hoops run (4-1 ahead with the advantage start score). The final result could still have gone either way. What followed was several well contested hoops before Graham lined up a speculative jump shot at hoop 9 with spectacular results, – game to Graham 7-3 and the Shield to Crake Valley 4 matches to 3.

After the match Chris Roberts congratulated the home Club on their success, complemented the lawns and setting along with the excellent hospitality. David Cornes responded by thanking Phyllis Court members for travelling such a distance and recognising the superb sporting manner in which the final was played before mentioning three Crake members who had contributed to earlier rounds (Elaine Davies, John & Karen Bowes).

Frances Colman then presented the trophy (of which she was instrumental in its introduction) to Brenda Knight who had represented Crake in all rounds of this season’s tournament.

Crake Valley continue to make history in 2025. Following on from their first ever success to be Festival Champions at Southport, they are now representing the North West in the GC CqE Federations Shield Final in October.

After sharing the Advantage League last year, Crake played Ripon Spa in May overcoming them 4 matches to 3. Next up was Colchester who made the long journey north in August. Although Crake (pictured in their club colour of pink) are not doing brilliantly in the NW league this season they proved to be too strong for our East Anglian rivals beating them by 6 matches to 1.

The final is against Phyllis Court from Henley on Thames with the date and venue to be arranged.

A field of 25 gathered at Bowdon Croquet Club for their Short Croquet Tournament as the clouds parted and the sun once again graced the lawns.

Two Trophies were at stake with the ‘Bowdon Short Croquet Trophy’ being run as a flexible Swiss alongside the ‘NWFCC Millennium Short Croquet Trophy’ taking place concurrently as a single life knockout.

Having been furnished with a 2-peels handicap, my first ever game of short croquet converted me to the format quickly and I watched in awe as the two 4-peel handicappers breezed around the lawn. One of these wily tacticians, Alan Mayne, reached the final of the knockout against Sylvia Steer, resulting in a clash between octogenarians in which Alan final triumphed on the Thursday Afternoon

In the Swiss, Alan Dix triumphed with 6 wins and a single loss (to me!)

Thanks to Brian ‘Deadly’ Medley (aka the Diva) for managing and to the lawn manager at Bowdon for preparing such lovely lawns.

Alex McIntyre. (Nottingham Croquet Club).