News 2025

More success for Crake Valley

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 many 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 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 favourites 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, still ongoing, 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 Club on the condition of the lawns and the picturesque setting as well as expressing the visitors’ appreciation for the excellent hospitality. David Cornes responded by thanking Phyllis Court members for travelling such a distance and for 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 (which she was instrumental in instigating) to Brenda Knight who had represented Crake in all rounds of this season’s tournament.

Another First for Crake Valley

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.

The Crake team of Ray Hodgson, John Bowes, Karen Bowes and Brenda Knight pictured above with their opponents in white started hesitantly but pulled out all the stopped in the afternoon to overcome their East Anglian rivals by 6 matches to 1.
The final is against Phyllis Court from Henley on Thames but the date and venue have yet to be arranged.

Update for end of July

July saw Crake host a GC “A level” National Qualifier with players travelling from as far away as East Dorset, Henley on Thames and Gainsborough to participate. The Final was contested between our own Neil Adams and England International, Steve Leonard (East Dorset). Steve proved just to strong for Neil, who was playing his first GC since October last year.

Neil has been travelling on the AC circuit playing in the British Open on the fast lawns of Surbiton. He produced some quality play in the Qualifying Rounds before falling to the vastly more experienced, Annabel McDiarmid (26-23, 23-24t and 17-22t). Nearer home, at Pendle, Chris Williamson won the Irish Cup AC Handicap Eygptian.

On 23rd July John & Karen Bowes, Ray Hodgson and Brenda Knight travelled to play in Bury’s “C level” National Qualifier, with Karen taking 3rd place and Ray 4th. In the League competitions our Handicap Golf team lost 6-12 to Bury and our AC handicap team lost 1-6 to Bury Caesars but beat Bury Peelers 6-1. Crake Lakes Advanced AC team lost 1-4 away at Fylde.

We also welcomed our good friends from the Algarve, Mark & Stephanie Shreeve for a few days croquet and social trip up Windermere. Both went away with Club shirts but Stephanie had to keep 3 layers on top of hers due to our “cold” climate (of around 20 degrees!).

Crake wins Overall Champion at Southport Festival

For the first time ever, Crake Valley Croquet Club won the Trophy as Overall Festival Champions at the North West Federation Festival of Croquet held in Southport on 28th and 29th June – well done to all those who made this happen!

Fielding a squad of 13 players, for the first time ever in the 29 year history of the festival, Crake were able to field a team in each of the 5 categories played at the event. With players switching between codes, it shared the pressure under the hot skies of sunny Southport, experiencing their second heatwave of the season!

After day one, there were good performances in all streams, so there were strong hopes of some silverware and celebrations started early with cake for Frank’s 90th birthday. Still competing at GC National B level, Frank is a firm fixture in the club GC teams.

The heat was intense on Sunday, with everyone struggling to keep hydrated and push through to 3pm. The title race was very close; three teams in the running for overall champions with an hour to go! Scores were counted, and re-counted, before John Haslam, NW Federation Chair and Robin Tasker, Festival Manager, presented the winners trophies, Crake taking those for both the Overall Champions and the Short Lawn AC Winner.

Our thanks go to the Southport members for hosting yet another great tournament, see you all again next year!

Update 1st June

Crake Valley teams and individuals have continued with competitive play in the last month.

In their respective Leagues, the Handicap Golf team drew 9-9 with Fylde and the Level Play Golf team beat Bury Sovereigns 10-8. We suffered a narrow defeat to local rivals Penrith in the AC Cumbria Tankard.

Success on the road for our top Association player, Neil Adams, in the Lord Fermoy Cup at Hunstanton. Ray Hodgson was also successful at the Wrest Park C level National Qualifier to take his place in the final to be held at Eastbourne in September.

In early May our club ran a C level GC National Qualifier with Scotland’s Kim Dalland pipping Ray Hodgson and Brenda Knight in the final standings.

Several other 2nd place finishes: Colin Dykes travelled to Roehampton to come 2nd in their Trevelyan Bowl: Brenda Knight finished 2nd in an experimental Advantage GC at Pendle & Craven: John Bowes achieved 2nd in the Chester C level and Frank Sharps being runner-up in two GC National B level qualifiers at Bury and Chester.

Three members attended a two-day coaching course by Stephen Custance-Baker held at the Northern Academy on golf tactics which proved useful when Ripon Spa came to play the quarter final of the CqE GC Federations Shield. John & Karen Bowes being undefeated to help the Club triumph 5 matches to 2. Woodhall Spa or Colchester will be our next opponents in the semi finals to be played mid August.

Members “roll up” continues to be popular with several different “winners” of the trophy throughout the month. Internal leagues and knockouts are also progressing well.

June sees the Club host its first Advanced AC tournament of the season (The Cumbria Cup) as well welcoming 6 players from York CC to partake in the Short Lawn “Bob Vaughan” trophy.

Update 1st May

April has been a busy month at Crake Valley.

The annual membership drive has proved successful. Eight local residents paid £10 for a “taster” session on 2nd April with the majority signing up for the next stage of “trial” membership (£30 for a further 3 Club “Roll Up” sessions). Three of this group have now completed the course and become full members (paying the balance of the due subscription taking them through to 31st March 2026).

The Handicap Golf team started its defence of the NW Federation League with a home win against Pendle and Craven whilst our “new look” level play team gave a good account away at 2024 Champions Bowdon losing 7-11. The Handicap AC team lost on the final game “golden hoop” away at Chester.

Our first tournament of the year was held. Eight pairs contesting the Alternate Strokes AC in warm conditions saw Andrew Gould & Paul Dowdall (Pendle & Craven) overcome last year’s winners (Rick Harding, Nottingham and David Harding, Llanfairfechan) in the final. The winners are pictured in action and with the magnificent trophy as well as with their personal mementos.

March Update

The Club’s Annual General Meeting, which saw an excellent turnout of 23 members, was held in February 2025 at the White Hart in Bouth, Cumbria. As part of the club’s “Charity of Choice” Initiative, a cheque for £100 was presented to Loretta Blackburn, Chair of South Cumbria NSPCC.

Looking ahead to the new season, members are eager to compete in both AC and GC within the Northwest Federation League and National Tournaments. The club will also field a strong squad at the NW Festival of Croquet in Southport this June.

To enhance weekend access to the lawns for members, the committee has scheduled all 2025 tournaments to be held mid-week.
Ongoing maintenance and improvements continue around the grounds, including tree pruning, lawn upkeep, and drainage enhancements near Lawn Three. The clubhouse has also received a full internal redecoration.

As part of the club’s two-year Membership Recruitment Campaign, a public Croquet Fun Taster Session will be held on Wednesday, April 2nd. This event aims to promote the sport and provide membership opportunities for new players. The club is also perusing a new initiative of “Social Prescribing” which connects people to the sport of croquet to help improve their health and wellbeing. It can help address a range of conditions, including anxiety, depression and loneliness.