Report on the Challenge and Gilbey

[<<] [>>] by Julie Horsley at Budleigh Salterton CC
5 Sep 2019 (AC - Mixed)

The Challenge and Gilbey returned to Sussex County CC, with greatly reduced numbers, having for the last two years been played at Budleigh Salterton CC. 8 of the 20 players having travelled from the West Country.

Before presenting the trophies, Quiller Barrett, President of the CA, said he would like to give a brief history of how this tournament, as one of the oldest, came about. Here is what he had to say " In 1900 the Sheen House Club, which was then the headquarters of the United All England Croquet Association ( as the Croquet Association was known at the time ) presented to the Association a Challenge Cup for open competition. This trophy was won by Sir William Bruce who beat J. E. Austen +6,+26 in the final. In 1903 the Roehampton Club presented additional Cups so there were then three Roehampton Challenge Cups. In 1920 the Chairman of the CA Council, Mr. Arthur N Gilbey, who was also a prominent supporter of angling and other field sports, presented a Cup to the Association for a handicap competition. From a field of 164 entries the first Gilbey Cup was won by Mr. L. A. Chope of Roehampton who played under the pseudonym of A N Other. In 1923 the decision was made to run the Challenge Cups and the Gilbey Cup as a joint tournament, a " marriage" which has lasted unbroken to the present day. That year ten lawns at Roehampton were available and 265 entrants played in the tournament that was spread over a fortnight, something of a marathon for the manager."

Perhaps there is a challenge here, to see how many entries there are next year.

Block A - The Roehampton Cup was won by Dave Kibble from Bristol CC with 6/7 wins this was the first time that Dave had played in this tournament. Jim Field was runner-up.

Block B - The Council Cup was win by Richard Williamson from Bristol CC with 5/6 wins - John Taylor was runner -up.

The Reckitt Cup was uncontested this year due to lack of entries.

Block D - The Stevenson Cup was won by Kevin Wright ( who only entered at the very last minute ) from Auchincruive CC with 5/6 wins. Runner-up was Brian Shorney.

The Gilbey Goblet was won by Liz Farrow from Sussex County CC beating Jim Field +26 in the final.

The Triple Peel prize was won by Dave Kibble and the fastest game was won by Jim Field.

Quiller thanked everyone involved in putting on the tournament.