Sally Nicholls Trophy at Edgbaston

A successful and enjoyable AC Advanced B Class tournament was held at Edgbaston over the weekend of 7/8th June.

There was a full complement of 12 players, including four previous winners. All agreed that the camaraderie of this tournament is one of the best.

There were three from the WMF, Adrian Morris, Cliff Daniel and Brian Christmas Let’s see more from the WMF next year.

The tournament was won by John Henderson of Penrith (far right) playing off 3.5.

See Edgbaston’s website for the full story including some fiendish contact leaves by Peter Wilson from Fylde Croquet Club.

Broadwas Triumphant in Germany

Broadwas Croquet club travelled to Czechia in 2024 as one of the English representatives in the inaugural European GC Club Competition. Not only was it an enjoyable trip but they finished runners-up in their group.

Having enjoyed this experience, they were selected to play this year in Sudwest, Germany.

Jon Carrington, Ian Dampney, Billy Nicholson and Stuart Smith made up the Broadwas team and in their first match, won 6 games to 4 against a team from Madrid.

The victorious Broadwas team – Ian Dampney, Jon Carrington, Stuart Smith and Billy Nichonson

The second match versus Czech team, Horice, was more eventful! After only two games, a mini cyclone demolished three Gazebos. This was quickly followed by a thunderstorm and play was abandoned for the day. Play continued the next day with another victory for Broadwas 8-2.

The final match was against the local team from Sudwest which ended as a 5-5 draw putting Broadwas on top of their group and qualifying for the final. To be played in Southwick, near Brighton in the Autumn.

Well done to Broadwas and best of luck for the final.

The after effects of the cyclone

Full details of the competition can be found on the World Croquet Federation Website.

Kenilworth win first match in WMF AC league v Shrewsbury.

A wet start to the day dampened spirits, particularly the Shrewsbury team who had driven through rain for two hours. By mid-morning, however, the sun was shining for an enjoyable day of Croquet.

The morning matches went Kenilworth’s way with Adrian and Nigel taking the doubles and Phil and Mervyn winning both singles.

When Adrian beat Robbie, the match was Kenilworth’s but David and Alberto took two consolation victories for Shrewsbury.

Kenilworth – Adrian Morris, Phil Mander, Mervyn Harvey, Nigel Pigden and non-playing captain Cliff Daniel.

Shrewsbury – Robbie Dodds, Sean Sheridan, David Hart and Alberto Porras

Kenilworth – Phil Mander, Mervyn Harvey, non-playing Captain Cliff Daniel, Adrian Morris and Nigel Pigdon

Kenilworth A beat Kenilworth B in first game of the season.

Hot on the tail of Ken A team’s defeat by Ken B in the Robertshaw Cup, the teams faced each other in the first match of the season in the WMF GC League.

With the average handicap of the A team being 1.5 v 4 for the B, A were hot favourites.

The first round went to the As 4-0 but the B team recovered as the rounds progressed taking a win in round 2 and two wins each in round 3 and 4.

The doubles went one apiece giving a final score of 12-6 to the A team.

Ken A – Mervyn Harvey, Phil Mander, Phil Blake and Philip Wood; Ken B – Pauline Harvey, Richard Pinder, Nick Hegan and Ian Robertson.

Kenilworth B take Robertshaw Cup

The top four Golf Croquet teams in last season’s West Midlands GC League competed for the Robertshaw cup on Edgbaston’s lawns. This competition featured Himley and Broadwas taking on both Kenilworth A and B teams.

Kenilworth A and B were both victorious over Himley and Broadwas in the first two rounds and met in the deciding third round.

Pauline Harvey won all three of her games for the B Team with two for Nick Hegan and one for Ian Roberson. Phil Blake took two victories for the A team but Phil Mander could only manage one win and none for Philip Wood in this round although he had played well in earlier rounds.

The fact that Kenilworth teams took the top two places demonstrates the strength in depth of the Club.

All teams are looking forward to this season’s matches with some extra pressure now on Kenilworth A.

Thanks to Edgbaston for hosting the event and providing excellent lawns.

Nick Hegan, Pauline Harvey and Ian Robertson

Halse Tournament – Edgbaston June 3rd & 4th

Brian Shorney (Eardisley Croquet Club) is presented with the Halse Cup by tournament organiser Tony Whateley (Edgbaston Croquet Club)

The tournament was held at Edgbaston Croquet Club over two days. It attracted a wide range of handicaps from 20 down to 6 and was played on a base 6 format. By the end of day one there were three players with an unbeaten record and during the second day’s play two players, Robert Harvey (Edgbaston C.C.) and Brian Shorney (Eardisley C.C.) emerged to contest a final match. Unfortunately the weather played its part and a prolonged downpour of rain caused so much pooling of water rendering further play impossible. After due deliberation the match was awarded to Brian.

After the presentation of awards, Brian, a handicapper, revised the handicaps of Robert Harvey to 6 and that of Joe Manifold (Church Stretton C.C.) to 18. Many thanks to Tony Whateley (Edgbaston C.C.) for managing a very enjoyable tournament. Thanks also to Edgbaston Croquet Club for hosting this event.

Tournament contestants for the Halse Cup 2019

More images from the tournament

Philip Wood (Kenilworth C.C.)
Joe Manifold (Church Stretton C,C,) defying the elements!