“Croquet quartet put Fylde on national map after big success

​Fylde Croquet Club are national champions after winning the Longman Inter Club Trophy.

The four-person team consisted of Andrew Webb and Phil Snowden, both of St Anne’s, Lytham’s Barry Broughton and Betty Bates, of Warton.

They travelled to Edgbaston Croquet Club to contest East Dorset for the trophy which has been competed for since 1929.

Play consisted of one doubles match and six singles, each lasting three hours and 15 minutes.

In the doubles Webb and Snowdon took on Dorset’s Chris Weedon and and Alan Jones. Webb made the first significant breakthrough, taking his ball to Rover. Fylde won plus five.

Bates then went up against Christine Rice and it was the Fylde player who scored the first point and had a major break which ended when the referee judged her to have faulted whilst trying to roquet a hampered ball.

Rice closed her way back into the game but Bates held on to win plus two.

At lunchtime. the score was Fylde 2 East Dorset 1. In the afternoon singles games, Webb again played very well getting his ball to rover in a single break and put Fylde into a 3-1 lead.

Snowdon found Mike Rice a difficult opponent and was unable to establish a big break. The Dorset ace held the lead throughout and went on to win plus16.

Broughton dominated his game against Rice with the former making a spectacular roquet to the black ball in the jaws of hoop5 with a 30-yard strike. He proceed to peg out red and win the cup for Fylde.”

By Craig Salmon

Published 6th Oct 2023

Original report available here

Fylde travelled to Edgbaston to play East Dorset in the Longman Cup.

Flyde fielded a strong team winning 5-2 and bringing the Longman cup back North.

Congratulations to all involved

Eight players travelled to Crake Valley to play in our 3rd Annual Ladies Open. The handicap range was 5 and higher so a close contest was expected.

Saturday was “all play all” with the first four going through to the finals block on Sunday and the other four going into a Plate block.  The good news is that everyone won at least a game and most were closely contested. The higher handicappers, in particular, Sharon de Maine (Pendle & Craven) performed well against tough opposition. The clear winner, with 7 victories, was Jo-Ann Hughes (Bishop Monkton). Marcia Henderson (Auckland) and Liz Jordan (Llanfairfechan) had 5 wins each with Gill Brent (Bishop Monkton) managing 4 wins. These four players progressed to Sunday’s final block.

Play was followed by the traditional Fish and Chip supper and a short “murder mystery – whodunnit at the local Caravan Park” evening in the clubhouse. Special mention goes to the catering team on both days. Our Master Chef Tom Grievson was second to none in his variety and quality of food presented.  If only we could book him for all future Crake tournaments. Tom was very ably assisted by Sandra and Gill who made the players feel most welcome. 

Onto Sunday and both blocks played “all play all” twice (6 round of games in total). Both blocks were not decided until the final game in each. In the Plate Sue I’Anson (Ripon Spa) won her first five game and Jude Wise (Chester) had won 4. The situation was simple – their hoop difference was only one hoop and so whoever won that game won the Plate. In a very close match Sue managed to hold her nerve at the 13th hoop to triumph 7-6. 

Over in the Finals block Jo-Ann and Liz won their first two games. In their first encounter (Round 3) Liz had her ball in the jaws of 13 but Jo-Ann somehow managed an amazing 5 yard jump shot to fly through the hoop. Liz then failed to beat Marcia in the first game after lunch but still had the chance to win the block. Going into the last match (Liz v Jo-Ann) the situation was that a 7-3 win or better for Liz would see her win the title. As it happened Jo-Ann was too strong, running some great hoops to win 7-3. 

The photos show Chair Simon Robins presenting Jo-Ann Hughes the Ladies Open Glass Trophy:

and Sue I’Anson the Plate:

All players who did not win a trophy had the consolation of an option to takeaway a portion of Tom’s delicious dishes. A great time was had by all.