Sydenham Croquet Club
Mayow Park, Sydenham, London SE26 4JA
2025 events and photos
Fri 16 May 2025: Friendly away at Dulwich
Our first match of the season was also the first time that Joyce, Mini, Rachel and Sarah W took part in an external fixture. They were joined by David, John, Priscilla and Stephen, and the team was ably managed by Angela.
Everyone enjoyed the experience of good weather and playing on well-kept lawns, but despite close and competitive games, the home team held the advantage, winning five games to our one. This was won convincingly by Rachel and John, so congratulations to them! Thanks to everyone who took part, to Dulwich for their hospitality and to Tim for the delicious afternoon tea.
2024 events and photos
Sat 28th September: end-of-season fun competition
16 of us took part in this event kindly organised by Rob. Everyone paid an entry fee of £5, and was encouraged to wear a Union flag somehow: this was interpreted in a variety of ways.
We were paired up in two groups, and played the other 3 teams in our respective group. We played 5 hoops, with a maximum of 4 shots per person per hoop, and if no-one ran the hoop, it was declared a draw, and play proceeded to the next hoop. A drawn hoop was worth 2 points, and a hoop that was run was 4. Each pair also had a joker per game: one extra turn that could be played as wanted. The winners of each group went into the final, and the second-placed teams played for 3rd/4th places, following an elimination game to determine one of the second places. Playing with these rules involved different use of tactics at times, which was interesting for all players.
Results: John S and Dave E were 3rd, so won £15, Priscilla and Rachel were 2nd, winning £25, and the winners were Jane and Reay, who won £40.
The event was a great way to finish the season, and we would like to thank Rob and Anita for all the arrangements, including lunch: everyone enjoyed themselves.
Monday 16th September: Home Friendly versus Dulwich
The team of Dorothy, Gabby, Jane, Priscilla, John S and Tony played a total of 6 doubles against some former members, whom it was nice to see. The result was a draw. Thanks to everyone playing in, catering for, and arranging a pleasant afternoon of croquet.
Sun 15th September: Singles Final
This match was between Stephen and Gabby, who had a bye into it. Stephen took the first game, but Gabby secured the second. We had a break for tea, then the spectators enjoyed a very close final game which reached 6-6. So the whole match depended on the final hoop, which, with an amazing long shot, Gabby won. Many congratulations to her, and commiserations to Stephen. The trophies were presented by our President, Michael Wheeler, who also awarded the cup for the Most Improved Player to Mini.
Sat 14th September: Doubles Final
Rob and Jane played against David and John S. The match was fought over two games, which Rob and Jane won, congratulations to them. The trophies were awarded by Cllr. Chris Best, who also presented small trophies to all winners of doubles and singles since 2016 to keep.
Sunday 18th August
On Sunday 18th Aug we were very pleased to welcome Cllr Chris Best to the club, where she cut the ribbon placed across our new steps. These had been brilliantly created and installed by Simon Harth, and provide a much safer and more convenient way of accessing the lawn. Simon was thanked by everyone, and presented with a gift, after which we celebrated appropriately.
Wednesday 10th July: Ladies' Day tournament at Southwick
Our team of Angela, Chloe, Jane, Priscilla and Sarah played six rounds ( 2 singles and 1 doubles per round) against 13 other teams. We won lots of games, with the magnificent result that we won the whole day! Unfortunately, the correct trophy (which Sydenham won in 2017, the inaugural competition) was not available, so we were presented with another one temporarily. We look forward to receiving the actual trophy, to have it engraved for our second time...
Monday 8th July Home league match v Tunbridge Wells
The team of Chloe, Jane, Simon H and John played very well, earning a great win of 8 - 1. Thanks to the players, Priscilla for organising, and Dorothy for catering: the lunch was praised by the visitors!
Monday 1st July Home league match v Purley Bury
We welcomed our first visitors of the season for our third league match. The team of Gabby, John S, Simon H and Stephen played well, earning a well-deserved victory of 7 games to 2. Thanks to the players, and everyone who helped in other ways on the day: Priscilla, Tim, Joyce, Jane and Rob.
Tuesday 11th June: Away league match at Dulwich
Our team of Angela, Jane, Pat, Tony, and organised by Priscilla played our second league match. We enjoyed playing on the lawns at Dulwich, but despite several close games lost this fixture.
Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th June: South East Challenge
We responded to a request for more teams for event: Priscilla, Jane, John S and Stephen played both days, joined by Gabby on Saturday and David on Sunday. There were two games of doubles and two singles in each of ten rounds, playing the other 5 teams twice. We then beat Cheam in a semi-finals to reach the finals against Ramsgate, and won two of the three games, so won the whole event, to our surprise and delight! We were presented with a plate late on Sunday, which will be engraved. Thanks to everyone who played over two lengthy days (with great lawns and nice lunches).
Tuesday 4th June: away league match at Canterbury
Our team of Dorothy, Priscilla, Stephen and Tony set off in good time to reach the club in Canterbury, but were unfortunately stuck in a traffic jam enough route. They played many close games, but lost 3 games to 6. However, they enjoyed the experience of visiting a new club: our thanks to them for playing.
South London Tournament at Dulwich, Mon 13th May
Our team comprised Angela, Chloe, Dorothy, Jane, David, John S, Simon H, Stephen, and Tony, and was efficiently organised and supported by Priscilla. We played 8 games of doubles throughout the day, against Bromley, Cheam, Merton and Dulwich, and won 5 of them. This meant we were joint first with Dulwich, but they won more hoops, and took the trophy. We enjoyed playing on different lawns, and the afternoon tea! Thanks to everyone who was there: we did well in the first fixture of the season.
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!
7th 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.
12th 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
