Sydenham Croquet Club, Mayow Park, SE26 4JA, England
2023 events and photos
19th May South London Competition at Dulwich
We entered a team of 8, playing singles and doubles against 4 other local clubs: Dulwich (hosts), Bromley, Cheam and Merton. We had a mixture of wins and losses, and played using the new Advantage handicap system for the first time. This meant that some of the scores were not immediately clear as many games ran out of time before reaching the score of 7 hoops, but we had a good day for our first competition of the year. Thanks to the players and the supporters!
07 June Competition at Reigate Priory
Our first League match of the season was away at Reigate Priory on Wed 7th June. The journey was worth it, as we emerged as winners by 6 games to 3, and enjoyed great catering. Thanks to John, Stephen, Tony and Jane for playing, and to Priscilla for organising and supporting us.
12 June Home league match versus Hampstead Heath
The first time we have hosted a league match took place on Monday 12th June, when 4 players from Hampstead Heath visited. It was very hot, and the result was a couple of heavy downpours, which disrupted play. However, as we had already won the necessary minimum of 5 games, our opponents were happy to allow rain to stop play. Thanks to Priscilla, Pat, Angela, Chloe and Tony for playing, those who popped in to watch, and to John for lawn preparation, Dorothy for ordering the refreshments, and Jane for catering on the day. The visiting team were very impressed with our facilities.
Tues 4th July: League match at Surbiton
Angela, Jane, John and Stephen travelled to Surbiton, and played 6 games before lunch, winning 5 of them. This was fortunate, as it then rained, so the match might have been abandoned. However, the weather improved, and we played the remaining 3 games, winning two, so the result was 7-2 in our favour. Thanks to those who played, and to Priscilla, who organised us and acted as chauffeuse as necessary.
Friday 7th July: Ladies' Day Tournament at Southwick
Angela, Jane, Priscilla and Sarah took various trains to reach Sussex County Croquet Club in Southwick, where they participated in the SECF Ladies' Day competition. They played 6 rounds of either singles or doubles, in increasingly hot and sunny weather, against 13 other teams. They won 9 of the 18 games, drew 3 (the games were timed) and lost 6. Congratulations to them all for their endurance, and to Sarah for taking part in her first external competition, in which she won in singles!
Mon 31st July: Home League match versus Caterham
Our second home league match took place on Monday 31st July, when 4 players from Caterham visited. We played well, but lost by 4 games to their 5: it didn't help that it rained in the afternoon, and we forgot to take a photo! Thanks to Priscilla, Pat, Angela, Gabby, Stephen and John for playing, and to John for lawn preparation, Dorothy for ordering the refreshments, and Jane for catering on the day.
Fri 11th Aug: Home Friendly match versus Dulwich
Dulwich came to visit us for the first time for a Friendly match, which was a 3-3 draw. Thanks to Priscilla, Pat, Angela, Gabby, Chloe and Stephen for playing, and to Dorothy for catering. The Dulwich team were impressed with our facilities!
Fri 18th Aug: Home Friendly match versus Bromley
Bromley came to visit us for another Friendly match, and the result was: won 3, drawn 1, lost 2. Thanks to Pat, Angela, Gabby, Rob, Tony and Stephen for playing, and to Dorothy for catering. The day was enjoyed by everyone there.
Mon 28th Aug: Away Friendly match versus Bromley
This time, our team went to Bromley for the final Friendly match of the season, and the result was 8 games to us, 1 to Bromley. Thanks to Priscilla, Pat, Angela, Rob, Tony and Stephen for playing, and to Dorothy for supporting. Bromley's hospitality was appreciated.
Sat 16th Sept: Doubles Finals
Chloe and Simon C faced Simon H and Tom in the final of the internal doubles competition. After winning one game each, there was a decider, and the spectators were treated to a great match finally won by Chloe and Simon C. Congratulations to them! The trophies were awarded by Cllr. Chris Best, with Jane assisting.
Sat 23rd Sept: Singles Finals
The final of the internal singles competition was between Stephen and Tony. Stephen won the first game, but Tony took the second. So for the second week running, there was a deciding game, and the spectators enjoyed another great match finally won by Tony: many congratulations to him! The trophies were awarded by our President, Michael W.
Sun 1st Oct: End-of-season Fun Day
Following Rob's brilliant idea, 9 pairs invented a team name and dressed up if they chose. There was a knock-out competition involving 6 hoops only, and in the event of a 3-all tie, players had to hit the centre post.
Many thanks to Rob for organising and Anita for catering: it was a great day enjoyed by all. Thanks to everyone who participated or watched, it was definitely a fun day!
After 2 rounds, The Malleteers played Freddie's Friends (Priscilla and Chloe, who replaced David) and took 3rd place.
In the final, Nefarious Navvies took Maintops to the centre post hit, emerging victorious.
Winners: Nefarious Navvies
(John S and Rob)
Runners up: Maintops
(Pat and Simon H)
Third place: The Malleteers
(Rachel and Simon C)
Other awards:
The best outfit award was won by Hokey-Croquet, representing the Blues Brothers.
The best team name: Ladies who love lawns.
Best outfit: The Blues Brothers
(John H and Tom)
Best team name: Ladies who love lawns
(Dorothy and Jane)
2022 events and photos
6th May 2022 Friendly at Dulwich
Several of us travelled the short distance to Dulwich croquet club, where we played 11 games during a sunny afternoon, and enjoyed tea. The games were much closer that the result of Dulwich 7, Sydenham 4, as several ran out of time with only one hoop difference between the pairs.
Sat May 21st 2022 - Club's grand opening day
We held our grand opening and invited people who had helped with our move in various ways. Cllr. Susan Wise cut a ribbon across a hoop, through which Cllr. Chris Best then hit a ball. We toasted the occasion appropriately, and had afternoon tea.
13th June 2022 League match v Bromley
Our team of Priscilla, Rob, Tony and Dorothy (photo below) travelled to Bromley (formerly Hayes) croquet club, where they played valiantly, but eventually lost: 2.5 to 6.5. Our thanks to the team, especially the reserves, for playing the first league fixture in 3 years.
16th August 2022 League match v Purley Bury
Our team of Pat, Priscilla, Billy and Stephen travelled to Purley Bury Croquet Club, where they had a magnificent win, 6-3. Our congratulations and thanks to them for playing, and thanks to Tony for arranging the match, and to Dorothy for being in reserve.
25th August 2022 Friendly match v Bromley
Bromley became our first visitors, and enjoyed our hospitality. Our team of Angela, Chloe, Pat, Priscilla, Billy and Stephen played in six games of doubles, winning 4-2. Our congratulations and thanks to them for playing, and thanks to Tony for arranging the match, and to Dorothy for the great catering.
30th August 2022 League match v Merton
Our team of Dorothy, Pat, Priscilla, Rob and Tony travelled to Merton Croquet Club, where they had another win, 5-4. Our congratulations and thanks to them all for playing, keep this up! Thanks to Tony for arrangements, too.
6th Sept 2022 League match v Dulwich B
Our team of Angela, Priscilla, Rob and Stephen travelled to Dulwich Croquet Club, where they had yet another win, 5-4. Our congratulations and thanks to them all for playing: we have won 3 out of 4 league matches! Many thanks to Tony for all the league arrangements, and to Dorothy for catering and supporting.
17th and 18th September 2022: Finals of Internal club competition
The Doubles match was contested by Angela and David versus Tom and Rob, and following three very close games, Tom and Rob emerged as winners. The two singles games were fascinating, and Priscilla used her bisques to beat Simon on the 13th hoop twice. Congratulations to all players!
Winners of the Doubles: Rob and Tom
Runners-Up in Doubles: David and Angela.
The cup for the 'Most improved player of the season' was awarded to Angela by the Club Captain, Simon.
Winner of the Singles' Final: Priscilla
Runner-up of the Singles' Final: Simon
