Category: News

Ramsgate Croquet Club in Kent hosted the Finals of the GC ‘A’ National Series on 26 and 27 September 2026. Chris Higgins of Bishop Monkton Croquet Club qualified for the finals by winning two tournaments during the regular season at Bury and Pendle & Craven. Sixteen finalists contested two blocks of eight each in an all play all format on the Saturday. Chris won 6 of his seven games thereby qualifying for the knockout stages on the Sunday.

The knockout stages were contested as a best of 3 thirteen point games with Chris emerging victorious in the quarter final against Andy Dochniak of East Dorset and moved on to contest a semi-final with Les Heard of Wrest Park, Chris captured below jumping hoop 9 (video thanks to Charlie Martin).

Chris won the semi-final setting up a final against young Joshua Wise of Bristol. In a tough contest Chris won the first game 7-6 but Josh came back strongly to tie the contest with a 7-4 win in the second. The final and deciding game went to the golden hoop with Chris emerging the winner after hooping his red ball and collecting the trophy (below left) to bring back to North Yorkshire!

Thanks go to Ramsgate Croquet Club and all their helpers for organising the weather and delivering a very trouble free tournament.

Bishop Monkton Croquet Club was blessed with bright sunshine all day for our annual Progressive Doubles Tournament, although it seemed a bit chillier to that which we’ve become accustomed to.

It was a full day’s tournament with seven games, players changing partners and lawns after each game.  There was less chaos than previous years as Jon Forsyth had a clear view of everyone’s positions and progress with his expert computer skills.

Chris Higgins came first as clear winner and Bob Strover achieved second place.  Well done to both of them.

Many thanks to everyone for the teamwork, in particular Chris and Bob for preparing the lawns and Hilary and Jackie for helping out with the teas and coffee.

Our last Pimm’s afternoon followed the tournament when several members joined us on the lawns for an end of season party.  The occasion was enjoyed by all so roll on 2027.

Bishop Monkton came home triumphant from their final Handicap League match of the season, running out 9-3 winners away at Ben Rhydding.

The BM team of Bob Strover, Robb Wainwright and Colin Philpott won all three doubles matches and six of the nine singles matches.

The result means that Bishop Monkton finish as runners up in the Yorkshire Federation Handicap League, having already been crowned champions of the Level Play League.

This year’s Ladies Singles competition took place on Wednesday 26th August on a perfect day with a light breeze and lawns that were mainly green at last after the recent rains. The all play all round robin competition featured closely fought games in a friendly atmosphere, with the ultimate winner depending on the result of the final round! Congratulations go to Lesley Wood this year’s winner with Gill Brent close on her heels. Everyone played well and the end of the day was celebrated with a sociable chat, drinks and nibbles. Thanks go to Trevor Wood for setting up the lawns for the event and a special thank you to Lesley who has organised all of the internal club competitions this season.

The Bishop Monkton team had a very warm welcome from The Durham team at Riverside.  The day was pleasantly warm and our tournament was closely fought throughout the seven games. Durham won by 99 to 94 hoops and thoroughly deserved to win.  We look forward to meeting them all next year

It was still pouring with rain when we got to Bedale, so the first decision was whether to carry on or abandon the match. Fortunately we all agreed to give it a try, and the rain stopped soon after we had started. We were 10 hoops behind after only 2 rounds, but managed to catch up by lunch, when the scores were level at 77 each. Then there was the customary slump afterwards, and the final score was Dales 142, BM 132.  As usual we were made very welcome, and everyone enjoyed the day.

This season saw the advent of a new style of GC tournament, named ‘Northern Stars’, aimed at Northern clubs and members. Devised by Ian Burridge (Nottingham), the one day, open style contest pitches International level players with all levels of club players allowing rising stars to shine and proceed to the final. Contested initially over 5 heats at Ashby, Nottingham, Pendle, Middlesborough and Chester, those winning the heat, accumulating points for high placings or for gaining the most handicap card index points by taking a scalp or two (‘The Challengers’) move on to the final.

Chris at Bowdon

The final took place on 16th August at Bowdon Croquet Club using the standings from the 5 heats. Eight players took part in the Championship Final and a further 8 in the Challengers Final. Chris Higgins and Bob Strover both qualified to play but unfortunately Bob was out of the country, again!

Chris playing Tony McCann

Chris qualified for both the Championship and Challenger Final despite playing in only two heats which meant playing in the higher level Championship. Winning the quarter final against Tony McCann he was drawn against Euan Burridge (U25 England, ranked 5th in the UK) in a best of 3 contest. Chris won the first 7-5 but lost the second 5-7. The deciding game was very tight and at 6-6 the golden hoop beckoned. Despite playing an excellent approach shot the skill of Euan Burridge proved too much and Chris lost the game 6-7. Euan went on to win the final 7-5, 7-5, against Callum Johnson (England).

Chris playing Euan Burridge with David Cornes and Callum Johnson behind

It was an immensely enjoyable if tiring day and it is hoped that the same competition will take place next season. Thanks to Ian Burridge for designing and managing the events and Sarah Clements (Chester) for the photos.

Above: Gordon Horrod stepping in last minute finished 2nd with 3 wins.

August 19th once again saw Bishop Monkton Croquet Club host the Yorkshire Federation ‘C’ Level (7+) tournament. Organised to run smoothly by Bob Strover, six contestants from the home club, Pendle & Craven and Ripon fought it out in an all play all format. After some tight hoop action by determined players, Colin Philpott emerged victorious, winning all his games to collect the trophy. Well played Colin who reports that he has set his sights on gathering a Hat Trick of trophies in September.

Light cloud and a moderate breeze kept the temperature down to a comfortable high 20s, for the return match to Ferryhill. Like most playing surfaces, the lawns were struggling with the droughts, making the surface scarily fast and rather unpredictable. The Bishop Auckland team were much more welcoming! 

Small lawns (they’d divided their full-size lawn to create 2 lawns) gave everyone plenty of opportunity to practice clearing so scores were often quite low (though hard-fought), and the morning ended with a 6 hoop lead for the home team.

Our valiant effort in the first afternoon round proved insufficient as the home team gradually drew out their lead to end winners by 78 hoops to 72. Fair revenge for Bishop Auckland after we had defeated them earlier on in the season at Bishop Monkton.

John Feeny is the new Bishop Monkton Croquet Club Men’s Champion after the annual tournament held on August 5th.

John won all three of his games in the round robin competition with Trevor Wood second (2 wins), Colin Philpott third (1 win) and Malcom Hanson fourth (no wins).

Matches in the tournament were longer than usual, played with the winner being the first to ten hoops and with no time limit. The game between John Feeny and Colin Philpott lasted an hour and a quarter!

Thanks to Lesley Wood for organising the competition.