News Items for 2018
Friendly GC Match v Pendle
Crake Valley were represented at a recent friendly GC match at Pendle by David Cornes, Frank Sharps, Peter Uglow and Patricia MacGillivray.
The format was a mix of singles and doubles, level play and handicap. The opposition was very strong with handicaps of 2,3,5 and 10.
In the doubles David and Peter beat Libby & Karen whilst Frank and Patricia were defeated.
After 8 games of handicap at lunch we were behind 4.5 to 5.5. The first set of games after lunch were level play and saw us win 3-1 to gain a narrow lead.
The final set of games were also level play with Peter & Patricia winning their respective games to ensure we won the match 9.5 to 8.5.
After the game we were treated to a fantastic afternoon tea made by the hosts.
All 4 players made a scoring contribution to the teams success and player of the match was Peter Uglow, winning 3, drawing 1 singles and winning his doubles game.
We hope to arrange a return match before the start of the 2019 season.
NW Federation Golf Croquet Level Play Tournament
On Saturday 6th October David Cornes and Frank Sharps represented Crake Valley in the NW Federation Golf Level Play tournament at Fylde.
A cold but dry day saw each player play five 19 hoop games. At the end of the day there were 3 players who won 4 out of 5 games including the two Crake Valley players! David & Frank also both had a +10 hoop difference but finished joint second to Libby Dixon from Pendle who was 1 hoop better overall. Very close indeed.
Frank’s excellent performance means his handicap has gone down from 12 to 7 this season.
GC B-Level National Finals
By winning a Golf Croquet B-Level Tournament in Pendle earlier in the season, David Lloyd qualified for the National Finals held at Camerton & Peasdown Croquet Club. In atrocious weather he managed to win 5 out of his 12 games to secure a credible mid-table position.
The Croquet Association representatives commended all players on the high standard of play.
Crake Valley Croquet Welcomes Local Group
On Wednesday 3rd October, Crake Valley welcomed a group from the local U3A. The group had a fun morning playing and developing their skills under the guidance of club members. The picture shows the reaction to “shot of the day” and with tea / coffee & light refreshments on hand everyone had a most enjoyable day.
In 2018 Crake Valley welcomed 17 groups through the season. We are open 12 months of the year so if you have a group / small party that wishes to come and try croquet in pleasant surrounding please use the Contact Us form and get in touch.
AC Team Finishes Strongly in League
Playing their last match at home against Chester in the NW Federation Weekend Handicap League on Monday 1st Oct, Crake Valley managed an excellent 5-2 win. This completed a successful season with 5 wins out of 8 matches overall, resulting in a 3rd place finish in the League. Further details can be viewed on the NW Fed. Website.
Representation in National Finals
Crake Valley members took part recently in Croquet Association National Finals. On 22-23 September, David Cornes was one of 14 players in the CA Golf Croquet All England (Singles) Finals held at Hunstanton. In the ‘all-play-all’ format, David won 7 of his 13 matches finishing in eighth place. A tremendous achievement with the highlight being a 7-4 victory against the runaway Champion, Simon Carter (-3).
On the same weekend, Sandra Cornes played in the Golf Croquet C-Level Series National Finals in Nottingham. There were 16 finalists with Sandra having the highest handicap but, despite the disadvantage, Sandra still managed 3 wins and so avoided finishing in last place. Given the short time Sandra has been playing, getting to the finals and to win some games is a massive achievement.
Golf Croquet Finals Day
On Saturday 25th August Crake Valley hosted its first Golf Croquet Finals Day. The winners of the 4 blocks played throughout the summer competed in the morning. David Cornes, David Lloyd, Elaine Newman and Frank Sharps playing high quality croquet against each other with all matches extremely close.
Overall Frank & David C won 2 out of 3 games and scored 18 hoops apiece with David L & Elaine 17 hoops each (1 win).
The winner was Frank due to him beating David C in their match.
In the afternoon the semi finals of the knockout took place with. David C gaining revenge on Frank by winning 7-3 and Simon Robins overcoming David Lloyd on the 13th and deciding hoop.
David then stormed ahead in the final but Simon made a good comeback ending with a final score of 7 – 5 to David C.
Afterwards club members put on a BBQ and Chair Jim Allcock presented the prizes. His choice for overall player of the year was Sandra Cornes who is due to repesent the club in a national final later in September.
A fantastic day and one which we hope will become a regular event in the club’s calendar. Many thanks to Sandra and David Cornes for organising the day and to the many who helped with the BBQ, particularly chefs Peter Uglow and Peter Thompson – they will find it difficult to persuade us that anyone else should do the job next time!
The trophies on display included the winner’s shield for the Golf Team at Southport as well as a commemorative plaque in glass made by Sandra for the Club.Two other glass creations by Sandra were on the display but her intended personal trophy (the glass bottle) suffered in a wind-induced gazebo collapse. Thoughts were that with the golf croquet triumphs and successes in other disciplines during the year, the Club should consider a trophy cabinet.
Association Croquet Coaching for Golf Players
Crake Valley recently welcomed Bury’s Chris Alvey who gave a 3 hour “introduction to AC for GC players” coaching session.
Chris taught the basic of Association play in a simple and understandable format and all 16 attendees found the session extremely useful.
Golf Croquet Team End Season on a High
Crake Valley Golf Croquet Team completed their NW Federation league season with a trip to Bury South on Sunday 19th August.
Due to fielding an inexperienced team with Peter Uglow and Patricia MacGillivray playing only their 2nd league match for the club we had (for once!) a lot of extra turns which had to be used wisely against strong opposition.
In the doubles Peter with Sandra Cornes won their initial game whilst Patricia with Frank Sharps lost. 16 closely contested singles followed with Frank winning 3 and drawing 1 of his 4 games. Peter and Sandra won 3 each and Patricia 2.
A superb all-round contribution with a 12.5 to 7.5 win meaning Crake Valley moved up to 2nd in the league. Southport can overtake us if they win their remaining game but the season has been a huge success with 9 members playing their part throughout. A top 3 finish to go with the summer festival shield win at Southport is a great achievement in the Team’s first competitive season
Golf Croquet v Bury North
On Saturday 11th August Crake Valley welcomed a team from Bury North. Elaine Newman partnered Frank Sharps with debutant Peter Uglow partnering Sandra Cornes in the doubles. Both pairs won before honours shared in the 16 singles games. All home players winning 2 out of 4 matches meaning a winning score of 10-8.
The team close their 2018 season with a visit to Bury South on Sunday 18th August.
Northern Region Handicap Golf Croquet Final
David Cornes finished with 4 wins out of 7 at the Croquet Association Regional Final held at Nottingham on 5th August 2018. This meant he finished a credible 4th out of 10 players – an excellent performance against some very low handicap players.
AC away to Bowdon Firs
On Sunday 15th July, a Crake Valley team of captain, Jim Allcock, David Lloyd, Simon Robins and Dave Williamson travelled for a NW League Weekend Handicap match against Bowdon Firs. In closely fought games before lunch, the highlight was a superb final turn break by Jim Allcock running several hoops, incorporating a peel of partners ball, and finally leaving a simple roquet to the hoop for partner having ensured that the scores were level as time was called. The opponents failed to hit in and partner duly obliged to give a +1 result and a score of 2-1 to Crake at the halfway point. In the afternoon Jim again snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in the last minute of time by running a hoop from at least 10 feet. The final result was 5-2 to Crake Valley, a welcomeresult that raises their position slightly in the table.
Association Croquet Successes
At a time when the Crake Valley club is making its presence felt at both National and Regional levels of Golf Croquet, it’s appropriate now to highlights some recent successes of our members in Association Croquet National competitions.
Congratulations to Jim Allcock on winning the Hunstanton Midweek Trophy, an annual three-day Handicap tournament which this year was held on 8th – 10th June. The picture of Jim with The Jane Neville-Rolfe Salver is courtesy of the NW Federation website where further details can be viewed.
Congratulation also to David Lloyd on winning the C-level Tournament in Sidmouth. The Croquet Association handicapper was so impressed with David’s efforts that his handicap was reduced from 7 to 4.5!
Golf Croquet vs Culcheth
On Sunday 15th July the golf croquet team of David Cornes, Sandra Cornes, Frank Sharps and debutant Patricia McGillivray travelled to Culcheth near Warrington. For the 2nd week all our players played well resulting in a very evenly balanced match. Again, the final score was determined by the last hoop of the last game. Honours were shared 8 wins a piece – a fair result and a tremendous effort from our relatively inexperienced team.
C level Series Win at Middlesborough
Sandra and David Cornes travelled to the C level play tournament held in Middlesborough on Saturday 14th July. David officiated at his first competition since qualifying as a GC Referee. Sandra was one of 12 players taking part all of whom normally play off between 7 and 12 handicap.
The format was that no “extra turns” were allowed with all players playing “level play”. There were 2 groups of 6 and at lunchtime Sandra was mid table with a win, a draw and a loss from her first 3 games. After lunch she won her next 2 games meaning she topped the group. The final game of the tournament was against John Fitzpatrick from Middlesbrough. A close run match saw Sandra win 7-5 despite playing a player who is 3 shots better in terms of handicap (picture courtesy NW Fed website).
Sandra now goes forward to the 2 day National Finals to be held in Nottingham at the end of September. This means Crake Valley will have a finalist in the C level as well as the B level final following David Lloyd’s qualification earlier in the season. A great achievement for the club.
Golf Croquet vs Westmorland
Crake Valleys golf croquet team made the short trip to league leaders Westmorland on Sunday 8th July.
Despite giving over 30 extra turns to a vastly more experienced team the match went to the 13th hoop of the last game. Unfortunately, the game went against us 10-8 but the players deserve great credit for going so close.
The result means that Crake Valley lie fourth in the table with 3 games to play.
The Crake team was David Cornes, Sandra Cornes, Elaine Newman and Frank Sharps
Success for the Golf Croquet Team at Bowdon
Crake Valley travelled to Bowden with temperatures of over 30 degrees.
David Lloyd & Frank Sharps won their doubles before we collectively & individually played the best we have all season for the 16 individual games. David Cornes winning all his 4 games and David L, Frank & Sandra winning 3 out of 4.
This meant a win of 14 to 4 against a quality team moving Crake Valley up to 2nd in the league.
Golf Croquet Team Wins at Southport Festival
Every June all the NWFCC teams come together specifically for the 2 day festival at Southport. Nine Golf Croquet teams all play each other to determine the overall winners. The three members of each team play their opposite number in handicap order, the lowest handicaps playing each other, etc., to keep matches close and competitive.
The Crake Valley team was David Cornes (Handicap 8) Frank Sharps (Handicap 10) and Sandra Cornes (Handicap 12).
On Day 1 we played and beat defending holders Bowden 2-1, Llanfairfechan 2-1, Bury 3-0 and Fylde 3-0.
On the final day we continued our good form with wins against Culcheth 2-1, Southport 3-0, Westmorland 3-0 and Chester 2-1.
Thus, with 8 wins out of 8 possible the team were crowned champions. The next nearest team having 5 wins out of 8.
All 3 players were exceptional throughout the weekend with Frank winning 6 out of 8 games, David & Sandra both winning 7. Collectively therefore we won 20 out of 24 games – a truly great achievement. Subsequently handicaps have been amended accordingly to reflect our individual results.
We will look forward to defending the shield on 29-30th June 2019.
The photo shows Paul Rigge from the North West Federation presenting the trophy to the Crake Valley team.
Crake Valley has New Golf Croquet Referee
Congratulations to David Cornes who sailed through an intensive course in Brighton to become a qualified Golf Croquet referee. Further details can be viewed here.
Golf Croquet League Match v Southport
Saturday 9th June saw Crake Valley host the Champions Southport. Our team was David Cornes, David Lloyd, Elaine Newman and Frank Sharps.
The pairs, and first two sets of matches were all evenly shared with the score at lunchtime being 5 games to both sides.
Immediately after lunch saw Southport gain control winning 3 and drawing one of the 4 games.
The final round of matches were level with the result that Southport won the match 10.5 to 7.5.
Player of the Match for Crake was David Cornes winning 3 points.
The next Golf League match for Crake Valley is away to Bowdon on 28th June.
Crake Valley’s Golf Croquet Teams Enjoy a Great Start
On the 28th of April, Crake Valley played their first ever golf croquet game in the NW Federation league. Chester were the visitors and our team players were Elaine Newman, David Lloyd, Simon Robins and Frank Sharps. Both doubles were won but after 2 sets of single games Chester had fought back to level at 5-5.
The final 2 sets of matches saw Crake Valley win 6-2 thereby winning our first match 11-7. Player of the match shared between Elaine and David who both scored 3.5 points.
On the 12th May, David Cornes, Helen Allcock, Elaine Newman and Frank Sharps welcomed Fylde to our home. Again both doubles were won and by lunch the score was 5.5 to 4.5 in our favour. After the next 4 games we were then 6.5 to 7.5 down before a strong finish meant Crake Valley won 9.5 to 8.5. Player of the match was Frank Sharps winning 3.5 points.
On 26th May, David Cornes, Helen Alcock, Elaine Newman and Frank Sharps welcomed Llanfairfechan to Crake Valley. Both doubles were won and by lunch the score was 6.5 to 3.5 in our favour. An even exchange in the afternoon meant Crake Valley triumphed 10.5 to 7.5. Player of the match shared between David and Frank both scoring 3.5 for the team.
The team for Crake Valley’s next match which is at home agianst Southport on the 9th June 2018 is David Cornes, David Lloyd, Elaine Newman and Frank Sharps. The Golf Croquet team travelling to Southport for the Croquet Festival is David & Sandra Cornes and Frank Sharps