Following the Association Croquet World Championship

27 players have secured their places in the Association Croquet World Championship Knock-out

21 October 2025

27 Players Have Secured their Places in the Association Croquet World Championship Knockout, Whilst Playoffs are Required to Determine the Final Five

From the qualifying event right through to the final stages of the blocks, the AC World Championship has already proved to be an exciting ride for many players.

We now reach the 'pointy end' of the block stages. 2019 Golf Croquet World Champion, Ben Rothman (USA) will be competing in a playoff match against Lachlan Berryman (AUS) to qualify for a place from Block C. The Block E playoff will see Edmund Fordyce (NZ) and Gabrielle Higgins (ENG) competing, whilst in Block G, Debbie Lines (ENG), Jordan Waters (ENG) and Callum Hyland (AUS) have a three-way battle to progress. Finally in blocks B and D there are still results to be confirmed and additional playoffs may be required here too.

The entire event is being livestreamed and accompanied by expert commentators from around the world. With viewing figures now in the thousands, croquet is proving to be an exciting spectator sport.

The contenders safely through to the knock-out stages are:

Robert Fletcher AUS
Samir Patel ENG
Alain Giraud ENG
Kyle Maloof USA
Robert Fulford ENG
Jenny Clarke NZL
Stephen Mulliner ENG
Reg Bamford ZAF
Jack Good ENG
Euan Burridge ENG
Logan McCorkindale NZL
Andrew Johnston IRL
Greg Hill AUS
Matthew Essick USA
Greg Fletcher AUS
Ian Lines ENG
Mark Avery ENG
Stephen Morgan USA
Brian Cumming CAN
Jarrod Coutts NZL
Zack Watson USA
Jose Riva ESP
Reece McCorkindale NZL
James Death ENG
Thomas Balding USA
Marcus Evans ENG
Stephen Forster AUS

17 October 2025

News From the Qualifier

By Stephen Allen

16 October 2025

Stephen Allen Qualifies for the Association Croquet World Championship 2025

Croquet England's newly appointed CEO, Andy Dalby-Welsh, has been following the action closely. He says "I have always been a sports fan, but this is my first time following a Croquet World Championship. I congratulate Stephen on qualifying for his first World Championship and send best wishes for a fantastic tournament to him and all his fellow players. I look forward to enjoying the livestream alongside the Croquet community from around the world."

Link to article >> https://www.croquetengland.org.uk/news_and_media/stephen-allen-qualifies-for-the-association-croquet-world-championship-2025/

14 October 2025

Wishing Stephen Allen a successful and enjoyable tournament as he competes in the qualifying event for the 2025 Association Croquet World Championship.

We are so proud to be supporting Stephen in his bid to qualify for the World Championship. His dedication to the sport is not just as a player, but as a volunteer who has been running the Croquet England livestreams for the past few years.

Good luck Stephen, we hope to see you in the main event on the other side of the camera.

Read more >> https://www.croquetengland.org.uk/news_and_media/following-the-association-croquet-world-championship-2025/

Qualifying event 14-16 October
Follow the results >> https://croquetscores.com/2025/ac/usca-world-championship-qualifier/competition/quallifier

Useful links:
Full Programme
Livestream 18-26 October

Hurlingham beat High Wycombe to win the Mary Rose 6-1

by Hurlingham at Hurlingham [^]
19 Oct (AC - Mary Rose)

Guy Hewitt & Andrew Wise beat Richard Peperell & David Cotton +7
Martin Read beat Gabriel Furse +8
Ludolph van Hasselt beat Ed Olhausen +1
Andrew Wise beat Richard Peperell +16
Guy Hewitt beat David Cotton +18
Martin Read beat Ed Olhausen +16
Ludolph van Hasselt lost to Gabriel Furse -21

Roehampton won the European Club League Grand Final

by Ian Burridge at Sussex County [^]
14th October (GC)

The Grand Final of the 3rd European Club League took place at Sussex County Croquet Club (England), 10-12th October. The hosts were joined by 11 teams that had won their way through to the final from heats spread across Europe from Vigo in the West of Spain to Ikskile in Latvia.

The teams of 4 players were divided into two blocks of six for the initial phase of the competition, with a match between the teams consisting of two doubles and four singles games. Block A was dominated by Roehampton (England), who went unbeaten but were held to a draw by Vigo (Spain). All the teams in the block secured at least a draw and the last of the four qualification places was determined in the final round when Vigo managed to secure the draw they needed at the expense of their opponent's Broadwas (England). Balgreen (Scotland) progressed to the Quarter- Finals in second place with Phyllis Court (England) third. In contrast Block B was far more clear cut with it being clear from a long way out that Sussex County (England), Cheltenham (England), Carrickmines (Ireland) and defending champions Real Club de la Puerta de Hierro (Spain), were going to take the quarter-final places. It was therefore rather surprising when in the Quarter-Finals, following a standard A1v B4, A3vB2 etc draw that all the teams from block A ran out victorious, Roehampton without dropping a game. This was a sign of things to come as they convincingly beat Phyllis Court in the Semi-Final 6-1 before securing the title with a 7-1 win over Balgreen, who had equally convincingly seen off Vigo in the other semi-final. The unsung star of the Roehampton team, with the best individual record over the course of the event, was Nick Yates losing only his opening doubles game and ending with a record of 8/8 singles and 8/9 doubles.

As a consequence of their early exit from the Championship the Bowl was contested by the four qualifiers from block B, with Carrickmines who had only managed 3rd place in the block coming out victorious. The Plate, contested by the four teams that did not qualify for the championship knock-out, was won by Ikskile (Latvia).

Final Standings

Winners: Roehampton (England)

Runners-Up: Balgreen (Scotland)

3rd: Phyllis Court (England)

4th: Club de Campo de Vigo (Spain)

Bowl Winners: Carrickmines (Ireland)

6th: Cheltenham (England)

7th: Sussex County (England)

8th: Real Club de la Puerta de Hierro (Spain)

Plate Winners: Ikskile (Latvia)

10th: Real Club de Golf Vista Hermosa (Spain)

11th: Broadwas (England)

12th: Real Club de Golf Novo Sancti Petri (Spain)

Full results available at https://croquetscores.com/2025/gc/european-club-league-grand-final-1

Brian Jamieson won the Hurlingham Handicap One Ball

by Tony Bingham at Hurlingham [^]
13th October (AC - Handicap)

Close to the end of Hurlingham's main croquet lawns season, a record entry of 24 played for the Bingham Bowl. 9 were home players, 5 from Blewbury, 2 each from Ealing, Guildford, Roehampton and Surbiton and one each from Bowdon and Old Brentwoods. The day started grey but turned out beautifully sunny and surprisingly warm; advised to come prepared for all weathers many were discarding layers from mid-morning onwards. One-Ball handicaps ranged from 4.5 to three players on 20 (handicaps calculated using the recommended CE method). As ever success depended on tactical nous, knowing when to attack and when to defend, how best to use bisques as well as the more obvious skills of roqueting the opponent, taking good positions and running hoops reliably. With matches of different duration, some finishing 7, others 8 or even 9, the flexible Swiss format allowed the winner to be judged on percentage of wins.

At lunch with either 4 or 5 games completed, winners vs winners and losers vs losers as far as possible, four players vied for supremacy. Howard Railton (Roehampton, 10), Brian Jamieson (Blewbury, 10) and David Horlock (Hurlingham, 12.5) were unbeaten; Janie Thomson-Moore (Hurlingham, 17.5) was 4 from 5. After lunch the manager arranged for those in contention to play each other as far as practicable to help ensure a fair result. The last three rounds saw twists and turns. Brian Jamieson (Blewbury, 10) reached 6 from 6 by beating both Horlock and Railton; Thomson-Moore could not progress. Others climbed the ladder: David Beddy (Bowdon, 9), David Long (Blewbury, 14) and Carol Jamieson (Blewbury, 17.5). In the final round Horlock beat Railton (at one point also 6 from 6) in a very close match, and Brian Jamieson lost for the first time …. to spouse Carol (the Blewbury contingent were not surprised "she normally beats him!").

But this loss didn't matter: Brian Jamieson was declared winner and David Horlock 2nd; both were 6 from 7 but Brian had beaten David earlier. In equal third on 6 from 8 were David Long, Carol Jamieson and Howard Railton. On 5 out of 8 and in equal 6th place were: David Beddy, Tim Gibbons (Hurlingham, 17.5) and Mark Green (Roehampton, 12.5). Thanks go to Tony Elliott for acting as RoT.

Richard Andrews, Hurlingham's Croquet Chair, presented the Bingham Bowl and Hurlingham whisky tumblers to the winner; the runner-up also received a tumbler (David was also runner-up in 2024, his first appearance in the event time; third time lucky next year perhaps?). All matches were played in a very good spirit and Tony was thanked for making it a very well run and most enjoyable tournament. The international standard lawns played brilliantly as ever. As Brian said in his closing remarks, he had expected to play on the cricket pitch so it was a pleasure to play in such a brilliant environment in front of the magnificent Hurlingham portico.

Dee McKibbin won the GC C-Level (+7hcp) series final

Dee McKibbin receiving the trophy from Jonathan Isaacs

After a fiercely contested season in the GC 'C' level (+7handicap) national series, 16 qualifiers met in the national final held at Compton (Eastbourne) on Saturday 27-Sunday 28 September.

The hot weather throughout the year has made life difficult for all clubs' lawn managers, but Compton's John Crisford and Kevin Weeks brought our lawns into prime condition for the weekend, albeit they were a little slower than some might have liked.

The 'All Play All' format saw several players set off strongly on the first day, during which eight games were played. In fact, play went on until well into the evening, with one game having to be suspended as it had become too dark for the players to continue, and was completed first thing the following day.

But Dee McKibbin of Phyllis Court, with her accurate hooping and tactical inventiveness, was well out in front at the end of the first day, taking eight straight wins. Three players - Cheam's Alan Dickerson, Carol Huntington, also of Phyllis Court, and Leicester's Gillian Baverstock - were jostling for second place with five wins each.

Over the second day Dee consolidated her lead, winning six out her seven games to give her an unassailable lead, only losing to High Wycombe's Ian Prince. Meanwhile, other players came into contention for second place, notably Andrew Maclay, also of High Wycombe, and Eynsham's Liza Furnival; however this finally went to Carol Huntington, with ten wins and five losses, and +18 net hoops.

But Dee McKibbin ran out the unchallenged overall winner, with 14 wins, a single loss and an extraordinary +36 hoops.

Thanks go to Jason Carley, for refereeing the tournament; and to Jonathan Isaacs, Croquet England's president elect, for presenting the prizes.

Croquet England Treasurer

Due to changes in outside pressures, Robert Fulford has informed me that he would like to stand down as treasurer. We have agreed that he will continue until February to close out 2025 accounts, and to provide some handover and training to a new treasurer.

A process to identify a new treasurer will commence in the coming weeks.

For now, thank you Robert for two years as Croquet England's treasurer and successfully navigating our finances through the initiation of operations as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.

Surbiton beat Bowdon to win the 2025 AC Inter-Club Championship 5-2

by Stephen Mulliner at Letchworth [^]
4th October (AC - Inter-Club)

Surbiton beat Bowdon 5-2 in the Inter-Club Championship Final at a windy but dry Letchworth Croquet Club today. The players were very appreciative of the Club's efforts to produce good courts despite the weather earlier in the week.

The best finish was undoubtedly Nick Parish's TP against Angharrad Walters which required the rover peel to be jawsed, jumped and then bombarded through with a pass roll to give Nick a rush to the peg!

Morning session

Stephen Mulliner & Nick Parish (ASD) beat Jack Good & Angharrad Walters +17

Philip Eardley beat Nigel Matthews +7

Tim Wilkins lost to Andrew Winn -12

Afternoon session

Mulliner beat Good +4tp

Parish beat Walters +17tp

Eardley beat Winn +8

Wilkins lost to Matthews -5

Chris Martin won the ARK

by Martin Burger at Surbiton [^]
3rd October (AC)

The dry conditions prevailing this summer meant the courts were unusually challenging for late September and almost half the games went to time. Four games were pegged down after the first day with five unbeaten players. By 3pm on Sunday this had been reduced to 2 leaving an effective final. The previous day had seen a traditional Surbiton v Edinburgh fixture and several of the Scottish players took the opportunity for more play. The final was between Chris Martin and Stefan Colling - two of them. A period of moderate drizzle on Sunday afternoon meant conditions had eased with the less grassy areas becoming more grippy. Chris won by 9.

The Andy spreadsheet for flexible Swiss again proved effective with a little fine control to ensure a final . The results were transcribed to croquetscores.

The cooks' contribution was again appreciated.

Winner : Chris Martin (hcp -1) (6/6) runner up : Stefan Colling (hcp 0.5) (4/5)

Steve Leonard won the GC A Series Final

by Roy Tillcock at Ryde [^]
3rd October (GC - Tournaments)

Steve Leonard (East Dorset) is no stranger to tournament finals but needed all his skill and experience to reach this one and snatch the trophy from lesser ranked opposition. With just 3 wins out of 6 and 5-6 down to Debbie Hayns (Ryde) in the final block game a shock early exit for top seed Steve was on the cards. He had other ideas, and after some entertaining deeming manoeuvres with his ball jawsed in hoop 12, a missed shot at the 13th from Debbie, Steve finally picked up the fourth win he needed to reach the knockout.

The block stage, on a cool overcast but dry day, gave few clues to the likely finalists. All players achieved at least two wins with Ron Carter (Ealing) leading the way in block A with 5 and Les Heard (Wrest Park) with 6 in block B. Unlucky losers who just missed the knockout stage on net hoops were Greg Vaughn (East Dorset), Chris Higgins (Bishop Monkton) and Nick O'Connor (East Dorset) such were the finest of margins.

Joining Steve, Ron and Les in the knockout on Sunday were David Dickins (Sussex County), Richard Brooks (Sussex County), Peter Haydon (Dulwich), Mike Bilton (Gainsborough) and Phil Davies (Reigate Priory).

With best-of-three matches ahead the players made an early start, the forecast drizzle did nothing to dampen spirits and with every quarter and semi-final match going to three games the format was fully justified - it also had the manager biting his fingernails!

David, beating Richard with two tie breaks, was first to reach the final, whilst Steve took a bit longer after losing the first game to Phil. It meant the Plate Final was moved to lawn 4 and most of the spectators missed an exciting double 13th hoop victory by the under dog, Martin Read (Hurlingham) against Chris.

So it was that, each with eight wins and five losses behind them, David and Steve began a deciding match. Despite the drizzle returning for much of the match the packed patio spectators were treated to a superbly skilful final from both players. Positioning, clearing and jumping were consistently accurate although hoop running with the solid Davidson hoops not always so.

Although David had beaten Steve in the block it was clear that Steve was now firing on all cylinders taking the first game at hoop 12. David refused to succumb but Steve, enjoying the returning sunshine, simply got better and better, finishing the match with a confident 2 yard jump at hoop 10.

Ryde club are especially grateful to the sixteen players who made the long and expensive trip across the water for providing us with two days of skilful and exciting croquet and, for me, probably the most competitive event on the Island I have had the pleasure to manage.

GC Rules Theory Exam now available

by Stephen Mulliner [^]
30th September (GC)

The online GC Rules Quiz has been available on the Croquet Association/Croquet England website for several years. It has become a popular means of refreshing the memory for GC Referees and others interested in knowing more than just the basics of the GC Rules.

The Golf Croquet Rules Committee has taken note and has decided to modernise the procedure for becoming a GC Referee. This now consists of two stages along similar lines to the Driving Test. The first stage is the online GC Rules Theory Exam which can be found with the Quiz at croquet.org.uk/?p=games/golf/rules/RulesQuiz

This consists of two parts, each of 50 multiple-choice questions with four possible answers. The pass mark is set high at 47/50 (94%) because candidates are encouraged to have the GC Rules in front of them and to make use of any other relevant resources. Part 1 covers Rules 7 to 13 (scoring a point, offside balls, interference and errors). Part 2 covers the rest of the Rules and relevant parts of the WCF Refereeing Regulations. The intention is that successful candidates will have necessarily become very familiar with the structure and contents of the Rules.

The Parts can be taken in stages and, if too many questions are answered wrongly, the attempt can be abandoned and a fresh start can be made.

Once a candidate has passed both Part 1 and Part 2, they qualify to attend a One-Day Course at which they are trained and examined on On-Court Procedure and sit a short multiple-choice exam on the most common situations. If a candidate passes both of these, they become a GC Referee immediately.

The Golf Croquet Rules Committee is keen to recruit more GC Referees, both to spread the load at tournaments but also to help newcomers to Golf Croquet at their home clubs. We hope that this modernised process of becoming a GC Referee will attract many experienced players who would like to contribute the continuing growth of Golf Croquet in England and elsewhere.

Most Improved Player Awards 2025 - nominations please

Colman trophy winners Glynis, Patricia & Liz with Frances Colman (Photo: Chris Roberts)

Call for NOMINATIONS for the MOST IMPROVED PLAYER AWARDS 2025

Nominations should be sent to the office#croquetengland.org.uk and received by 5pm on Friday 31st October please.

Croquet England makes four annual Most Improved Player Awards:

Most Improved Male AC Player......receives the Apps Memorial Bowl
Most Improved Female AC Player...receives the Steel Memorial Bowl
Most Improved Male GC Player......receives the Spiers Trophy
Most Improved Female GC Player...receives the Colman Trophy

Eligibility is restricted to players who are subscribers of Croquet England, and who are playing predominantly within its domain for the period under consideration.

The nomination should provide detailed information about the candidate's improvement during the season (or, in respect of players who join the CqE part-way through the season, the portion of the season after becoming a CqE subscriber).

Full details of supporting documentation can be viewed on the CqE website via this navigation: Home > Compete > Honours Board > Most Improved
Or via this direct link:
www.croquet.org.uk/?p=tournament/caCalendar&action=ViewPage&calInfoID=10

Watford beat Guildford to win the Murphy Shield 4-3

by James Death [Admin] at Roehampton [^]
29th September (GC - Murphy Shield)

Roehampton beat Nottingham to win the Inter-Club Tier 3 Bowl 4-3

The victorious Roehampton team with the Interclub Tier 3 Bowl

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a summer well spent must conclude with a contest of skill and civility. Thus it was that the inaugural final of the National Inter Club Bowl was held at Wrest Park, a place of agreeable aspect and, on this occasion, unexpectedly fine-if somewhat bracing-weather.

The lawns, being neutral and well-kept, afforded an excellent stage for the meeting of two estimable clubs: Nottingham and Roehampton. Upon arrival, the assembled parties were received with the utmost hospitality-hot refreshments and biscuits being dispensed with such warmth as to rival the sun itself, which, though present, was not entirely persuasive in its heat. The Nottingham party comprised Mr. Andy Dixon, Mr. Tom Dewar, and Mr. Roger Steeper, under the capable direction of Mrs Cathy Turski. Their counterparts from Roehampton, led by Mr. Howard Railton, included Mr. Mike Tumath, Mr. Kevin O'Connor, and Mrs Carmel Brancen-a company no less distinguished in character and croquet.

The opening engagement-a doubles match between Messrs. Dixon and Dewar of Nottingham and Messrs. Railton and Tumath of Roehampton-was spirited and strategic. Though Roehampton prevailed with scores of 7-3 and 7-4, the contest was far more equal than the numbers might suggest, with several admirable jump shots and clearances eliciting murmurs of approbation from the spectators. Mr. Steeper, with quiet determination, overcame Mrs Brancen in two games, 7-6 and 7-2, while Mrs Turski and Mr. O'Connor, having each secured a game, sensibly deferred the conclusion of their match until the necessity of its outcome became apparent. Luncheon was taken in good humour and with much amiable discourse.

The afternoon saw a pleasing symmetry: two victories for Roehampton, two for Nottingham. Thus, the fate of the Bowl rested upon the final game of the match between Mrs Turski and Mr. O'Connor. The assembled company, though discreet in their attentions, could not help but observe with interest the unfolding drama. Mrs Turski, ever composed, met Mr. O'Connor's steady play with grace and resolve. Yet it was Mr. O'Connor who, maintaining his nerve, secured the decisive point, thereby delivering the Bowl into Roehampton's keeping.

The Bowl itself, a token of honour and accomplishment, was presented with elegance and good cheer by Mrs Patricia Duke-Cox, President of Croquet England, whose manner united dignity with the most obliging civility, and whose presence lent the occasion a further air of distinction.

Throughout the day, the spirit of the game was upheld with exemplary decorum. Compliments were exchanged with sincerity, and the pleasure of good company and fine croquet was universally felt. Wrest Park, in its elegance and generosity, proved a most fitting host, and all departed in their carriages with gratitude and contentment.

Nottingham B beat Blewbury to retain the Short Croquet Inter-Club 6-5

by Joe King at Cheltenham [^]
29th September (AC - Short Croquet Inter-Club)

In fine and sunny conditions Nottingham B and Blewbury resumed their rivalry at Cheltenham after three successive victories to Nottingham in the previous years, each being by a 6-5 margin. This time the final was hosted by Cheltenham and play started at 10:30 with 90 minute time limits.

Sadly for Blewbury the scoreline was repeated and Nottingham ran out as deserved winners.

The morning session went to Nottingham, prevailing in two games by +1 on time. Blewbury fought back with three good wins to lead at tea. It all depended on the final round.

Nottingham took first blood with Roger Steeper delivering a decisive win over Peter Allan+11 to level the scores at 4-4. Viv Staley controlled her game against Brian Jamieson to put Nottingham in the lead. Joe King had a tight timed finish against Nottingham's Julieann Trembling to win +1 as time expired. At 5-5 the deciding game was soon over as Sarah Butler prevailed +8 against Andy Evason to clinch the match.

The final was played in good spirits and Nottingham duly received the trophy from James Death.

For the vanquished, Joe King had the consolation of reaching the 5P trigger point after two wins during the day.

East Dorset beat Southport to win the Longman Cup 4-3

by Mike Rice at Cheltenham [^]
27 Sep (AC - Longman Cup)

The day was cold and overcast with fast courts.

The two finalists were also the two finalists in 2024 when East Dorset edged it 4-3. However, the Southport team was the same as in 2024, whereas East Dorset fielded a completely different team

Teams

East Dorset Southport

Andy Meikle 3.5 Bill Nicoll 7

David Williams. 4 David Venables 8

Steve Hogan. 9 Eddie Green 8

Andy Dochniak 10 Peter Williams 9

The morning singles were shared with Andy Meikle beating Eddie 26-10 and David Venables beating Steve 26-5. The closely fought doubles was the key match. Near the end the Southport pair of Peter and Bill were 16-12 up but a 4-hoop break by David Williams squared the match and after a tense few minutes it was left to Andy Dochniak to run the golden hoop to give East Dorset a lead at lunch.

The first three afternoon matches went 2-1 in favour in Southport.

David Venables beat David Williams. 26-16

Steve beat Eddie 26-9

Bill beat Andy Meikle 26-3

So, it was all down to the last match which went to time. Andy Dochniak beat Peter Williams 20-14 which meant that East Dorset retained the Longman Cup. So a first Longman win for 3 of the team but David Williams was a member of the East Dorset team that won in 2005.

Roehampton beat Bowdon to win the GC Inter-Club 4-3

Nick Yates, Tim Russell, Harry Fisher, Mark Van Loon

Results (Roehampton names first)

Harry Fisher and Mark van Loon beat Jack Good and Angharrad Walters 7-6, 7-5
Tim Russell beat David Cornes 4-7, 7-2, 7-6
Nick Yates lost to Nigel Matthews 6-7, 6-7
Mark van Loon beat Angharrad Walters 7-5, 5-7, 7-4
Harry Fisher lost to Jack Good 4-7, 7-6, 5-7
Nick Yates beat David Cornes 7-6, 6-7, 7-2
Tim Russell lost to Nigel Matthews 4-7, 6-7

Roehampton beat Bowdon in a tightly contested final on Cheltenham's tricky end of season lawns. They led 2-1 at lunch after winning the doubles 2-0 and shared bottom matches. The afternoon saw the matches split 2-2 with Nick Yates winning a comfortable last game against David Cornes to secure the trophy. Nigel Matthews was unlucky to finish on the losing side winning both his matches with some smooth hoop running.

Many thanks to Cheltenham for hosting and particularly to Debo for cooking a delicious chicken lunch.

Croquet England is delighted to announce the appointment of Andy Dalby-Welsh as CEO from 1 October

Andy has led organisations across the sport, disability, and youth development sectors for over twenty years, and I'm excited that he will be bringing this experience and enthusiasm to Croquet England.

Most recently as CEO of London Youth Games, Andy created and drove a new five-year strategy that brought together local authorities, funders, volunteers, and national partners, evolving governance and driving diversification in both participation and income generation.

Previously as Deputy CEO of Activity Alliance, (the national lead organisation for getting disabled people active) he worked nationally to influence disability inclusion and oversaw governance reform to the federated structure, whilst achieving over £2m in sustained Sport England funding.

Andy said "I am very excited to be joining Croquet England. Having played Croquet in the garden with my family when growing up I have seen the inter-generational benefit the sport can bring. The best players will draw on great technical and tactical skills to succeed at club, regional and international level, whilst all players especially those playing for fun benefit from developing friendships and improving physical and mental wellbeing. I look forward to demonstrating how Croquet can improve the lives of many people of many ages and from many backgrounds."

Andy is visually impaired and represented the England Blind Cricket team over several years. He impressed at interview with his enthusiasm and ideas for growing the sport of croquet. Andy lives with his wife and two daughters in Brighton, not too far away from the Sussex County Croquet Club, where he looks forward to dusting off his Croquet skills!

Samir Patel
Chair of the Board of Trustees

Public website announcement

Jonathan Isaacs elected Croquet England President

Jonathan Isaacs (Photo: Gabrielle Higgins)

Earlier this year our current President, Patricia Duke-Cox, announced her intention to stand down with effect from the AGM on 11 October 2025 and nominations for her successor were invited.

I received one nomination for the Office of President, from the Board of Trustees. The nominated candidate is Jonathan Isaacs. He has a long history of service to Croquet England and before that to the Croquet Association: he is currently a Vice-President of Croquet England, and previously chaired the CA's Council for two terms, leading the restructuring to form Croquet England during the second. Before that, he chaired the CA's Marketing Committee. In addition, he founded the Croquet Academy, pioneering the academy concept, and is currently the President of Sussex County Croquet Club.

There being no other candidate, Jonathan will be declared elected as President of Croquet England at the AGM on 11 October 2025 in accordance with the Rules for the election of the President, Vice-Presidents and Honorary Members.

Croquet England AGM 11 October 2025

by Gabrielle Higgins [^]
24th September (CqE Official News)

Peterborough beat Middlesbrough 5-2

by Peterborough website at Unknown - not stated [^]
4 Aug (AC - Secretary's Shield)

Sussex County beat Peterborough 5-2

by Jonathan Isaacs at Watford [^]
23 Sep (AC - Secretary's Shield)

Sussex County bt Peterborough 5 - 2

Gabrielle Higgins & Simon Fenn-Tye bt Ian Lines & Stephen Cornelius

Jonathan Isaacs bt Debbie Lines +11

David Dickins lost to Adrian Kirby +3

Gabrielle Higgins lost to Debbie Lines +26

Jonathan Isaacs bt Ian Lines +17

Simon Fenn-Tye bt Adrian Kirby +21

David Dickins bt Stephen Cornelius +9

New Independent Trustees for the Board of Croquet England

I am delighted to welcome three new Independent Trustees to the Board of Croquet England. Independent trustees offer a fresh perspective from outside our sport, and bring additional expertise and experience.

Glenda Vencatachellum is a practising barrister, Accredited Mediator (CMC registered), MCIArb International commercial arbitration and is already looking forward to joining her local Croquet Club. She is pictured with existing trustees Carol Driver and Andrew Stewart, alongside our third new independent trustee, Kishan Devani, at Purley Bury Croquet Club.

Professor Kishan Devani BEM, FRSA, amongst many other accolades, is an Entrepreneur, Political Strategist and World-Renowned Educationalist.

Matthew Macdonald is an academic at the University Campus of Football Business (UCFB). Matthew has been introduced to Croquet at Bowdon Croquet Club with his wife Alison. They are pictured with Angharrad Walters, Bowdon's Secretary.

I look forward to working with Glenda, Kishan and Matt.

Read more about our new Trustees

Congratulations to Adrian Coward, the country's National GC B-Level (+4hcp) Series Winner, 2025

David Boxell won the Wrest Park AC Handicap Tournament

by John Bevington at Wrest Park [^]
19th September (AC - Handicap)

The tournament was won by David Boxell from Hunstanton with four wins from his five games, his only loss coming in his first game against manager Eric Audsley, who pegged out David's first ball and then hung on to win +1 on time (3 hour time limits). David's final game was a narrow win against Wrest Park's Tim Nurse who also had four wins. More on this later.

There were ten entries which was a considerable improvement when compared to the equivalent tournament in May. Handicaps ranged from -½ to 20. Saturday began with sunshine, but afternoon showers had waterproofs donned, discarded and donned again, and we were treated to a fine double rainbow.

When it came to the final round Tim Nurse had already picked up four wins including two by +26, and was conceding 11 bisques to David on three wins. David made good progress with his first ball (red) using four bisques but failed penult and decided not to take another one. Tim hit in and took black to rover leaving his balls on or near boundaries. Some cat and mouse play ensued, and David used his remaining bisques to get yellow to 3-back. The situation with time fast approaching was David with red for rover and yellow for penult and Tim with black for rover and blue for 5. Tim made rover and left a rush for blue and David made a wide join on the east boundary. Tim then got a break going with blue, during which time was called.

After making penult off yellow Tim sent it down to rover as a reception ball but it ended up between the hoop and red, his pioneer. The approach shot on red was underhit by an inch or two which left yellow partially blocking blue's hoop shot. An attempt at a jump shot failed leaving David with three balls at rover and black near the peg, needing to make penult and rover with yellow to level the score. He made penult and tried to rush red in front of rover for a peel attempt, but it ended up to one side. Having made rover he was then able to nudge red in front of rover and after much careful positioning peeled it through to win +1 on time.

The expected rain then came down in earnest, leaving Rod Ashwell and Derek Code to play out their 18 point game, which Rod eventually won in the last turn after time had been called. Our thanks to Tim and Gill Brewer for the food, George Collin and others for lawn preparation and Eric for management.

David Boxell (16) 4/5

Tim Nurse (5) 4/5

Peter Aspinall (12) 3/5

Andre Machell (4½) 3/5

Jonathan Toye (6) 2/5

Eric Audsley (1½) 2/5

Rod Ashwell (-½) 2/5

Derek Code (20) 1/5

George Collin (1) 0/4

David Woolley (12) 1/1

John Bevington (0) 1/3

Fiona Walker won the GC All England

by Andrea Huxley at Camerton & Peasedown [^]
19th September (GC)

Despite the wet forecast , the first day of the All England GC Handicap Final stayed fine. With 13 finalists, there were 13 rounds or 12 games each to complete. 8 rounds were completed on Saturday with many games ending in a 7:6 result. Play started early on Sunday to try and beat the weather and it was only the last game that was played in the rain.

The competition was close right to the end but it was Fiona Walker who won 10 games and was awarded the cup by Brian Wilson on behalf of Croquet England. Congratulations to all who participated.

Availability for MacRobertson Shield is now open

by Chris Clarke at Roehampton, Hurlingham, Southwick and Surbiton [^]
18th September (CqE Official News)

Availability is now open for all English players wishing to be considered for the 2026 MacRobertson Shield. The closing date is 14th November.

Chris Clarke
Chair of MacRobertson Shield Selection Committee

Availability is now open for the 2026 European GC Champs

by Chris Clarke at Nottingham [^]
17th September (CqE Official News)

The 2026 European GC Champs will be held at Nottingham 14-17 May 2026.

Please note that the closing date for this event is quite soon - 30th October.

England will receive 2 Member places and at least 3 Ranking places.

Allocation Date: 25/11/2025

The highest MaxDG achieved by players in the 12 months ending on this date, and who have met the minimum game requirement, will be used to determine the initial allocation of Ranking Places.

Announcement Date: 09/12/2025

The players who have been awarded Ranking Places and Wild Card Places will be announced on this date.

Please declare your availability.

Chris Clarke
Chair of GCSC