Mary Rose
The Mary Rose is a national interclub knockout tournament organised by the Croquet Association. Early stages of the draw are done on a regional basis to avoid excessive travel - this year, in an interesting interpretation of the word "regional", Newport were drawn to play Pendle and Craven, based near Skipton in North Yorkshire. Unfortunately, problems in raising a team meant that we had to concede this match.
The Longman Cup is a national interclub handicap tournament, organised by the Croquet Association. We received a bye through the first round.
Sunday 26th June: 2nd round: Parsons Green 1 Newport 6
A Newport team drawn from four counties made the trip to Parsons Green in West London and returned with a resounding victory.
Mike Porter and David Manley (playing his first ever competitive match) rapidly won their doubles game, with David's play belying his handicap of 20. Robert Skeen won his singles match shortly afterwards, and John Rolfe overcame a forest of bisques to emerge victorious. An excellent lunch (provided by Parsons Green) was taken with Newport holding a 3-0 lead.
In the afternoon games, Mike wrapped up the team victory, with wins from John and Robert taking the score to 6-0. Only at this stage did David show any mercy, allowing the home team their sole win of the match.
A splendid day where the warmth of the weather was surpassed only by the warm hospitality of our hosts. We look forward to more visits to the Parsons Green club!
Mike Porter (4) & David
Manley (20) bt. Gabrielle Higgins (3.5) & Derek Watson (16) +17
Robert Skeen (11) bt. John Bowman (6) +12
John Rolfe (4) bt. Anne Robillard (20) +7
Mike Porter bt. Gabrielle
Higgins +14
John Rolfe bt. John Bowman +6
Robert Skeen bt. Derek Watson +17
David Manley lost to Anne Robillard -17
Handicap reduction: Robert Skeen from 11 to 10
Sunday 14th August: 3rd round: Newport 4 Merton 3
Newport overcame Merton in a close match to progress to the regional final (the quarter-final of the national competition).
Toby Prevost (10) &
Robert Skeen (10) bt. Steve Harbron (8) & Stephen Nixon (18) +5
John Rolfe (4) lost to Colin Percival (10) -19
Ron Atkinson (11) bt. Nick Furse (10) +22
John Rolfe lost to Steve
Harbron -23
Robert Skeen lost to Nick Furse -12
Toby Prevost bt. Colin Percival +8
Ron Atkinson bt. Stephen Nixon +13
Saturday 24th September: Regional final: Newport 4 Watford 3
Newport progressed to the national finals of the Longman Cup with a tense 4-3 victory over Watford. In the morning's games, Toby Prevost and Robert Skeen were comprehensively beaten in the doubles; Ron Atkinson won a tight singles game, leaving captain Mike Porter's game against John Smallbone to decide who would lead at lunchtime. Mike pegged out one of his opponent's balls to leave himself on 4 and peg versus rover, and proceeded to make a series of two and three-ball breaks to edge back into the game. However, with victory in sight, a wayward take-off to the rover pioneer hit the peg, and, after a good hit-in and despite attempting to take croquet from the wrong ball, John secured a close victory for Watford.
In the afternoon games, Mike won in rapid time to bring the scores level once more, but Ron lost to an opponent playing outstandingly well - John Moore had a bisque standing when the game finished. Toby won his game to bring the scores level once again, and it was left to Robert, who showed no sign of nerves in winning the decider. Newport were ahead for the first time in the day, but the most important time. On to the national finals!
Toby Prevost (10) &
Robert Skeen (10) lost to Simon Hathrell (3.5) & John Moore (16) -18
Mike Porter (4) lost to John Smallbone (7) -3
Ron Atkinson (11) bt. Janet Lewis (10) +2
Mike Porter bt. Simon Hathrell
+18
Toby Prevost bt. John Smallbone +10
Robert Skeen bt. Janet Lewis +5
Ron Atkinson lost to John Moore -21
Saturday 1st October: National semi-final: Newport 1 Surbiton 6
Newport's first appearance at the finals of a knockout tournament ended in crushing defeat against the hosts Surbiton. In the morning, Mike Porter was powerless to stop Surbiton's rapid improver, Ed Furse, from claiming victory. Ed had already pegged out one ball before Mike made his first hoop and, despite making it to 2-back, the comeback bid failed. Ron Atkinson lost the closest of the three games, and the doubles pairing of Toby Prevost and Robert Skeen lost a dour encounter.
After lunch, a ray of hope flickered as Mike quickly beat Andy Dibben, but the other three singles went Surbiton's way to complete a 6-1 drubbing.
Sunday 2nd October: 3rd/4th place play-off: Newport 1 Bury 6
On a beautiful October day, the sunshine was about the only bright spot for Newport as they slipped to a second consecutive 6-1 defeat. Robert Skeen kept things close in the morning's play with a close win over Barbara Young, but Mike Porter and Bernard Yallop were defeated in the doubles, and Toby Prevost never really got started when giving away a forest of bisques. Lunch was taken with the score 2-1 to Bury.
In the afternoon, Mike's defeat was even more rapid than his victory on the previous day, and victory was clinched for Bury when Geoff Young defeated Bernard. The other two singles games went the same way to complete the depressing scoreline.
The Essex and Suffolk League pits
eight different clubs from across the region against each other in a series
of handicap matches. Players of all standards compete.
Players of all standards are encouraged to take part in ESL matches; contact
Bernard Yallop if you
are interested in playing.
Saturday 4th June: Newport 3 Colchester South 4
A whitewash by the opposition in the morning was followed by a strong comeback by Newport in the afternoon's singles games; Robert Skeen in particular had a convincing win. But it was too little, too late as Colchester squeezed home 4-3.
Bernard Yallop (10) &
Robert Skeen (10) lost to David Haslam (4) and Paul Derry (16) -7
Ron Atkinson (11) lost to Peter Burling -12
Angus Bell (10) lost to Ron Harris (7) -9
Angus Bell lost to David
Haslam -12
Bernard Yallop beat Ron Harris +1
Robert Skeen beat Peter Burling +22
Ron Atkinson beat Paul Derry +1
Saturday 2nd July: Newport 3 Ipswich 2
Despite Newport only being able to raise a team of three players, Ipswich agreed to come to play the match, and a good day's croquet was had by all. Honours were shared in the morning games, and with two close singles games in the afternoon being shared between the sides, the decisive result was Stuart Warren's convincing win over Pete Allnutt.
Stuart Warren (9) &
Ron Atkinson (11) bt. Pete Allnutt (2.5) & Celia Pearce (6) +15
Bernard Yallop (10) lost to Celia Steward (3.5) -9
Stuart Warren bt. Pete
Allnutt +22
Bernard Yallop lost to Celia Pearce -4
Ron Atkinson bt. Celia Steward +4
Saturday 30th July: Colchester North 3 Newport 2
Once again only three players were available for this fixture on the beautifully manicured lawns at Colchester. Both morning games were close, with each side winning one. In the afternoon, Bernard won his game - a long hit in after Jonathan had pegged out one of his balls allowing him to finish neatly - but after Mike had lost his singles match, David could not quite overcome Vi in the decider, and Colchester won 3-2.
Mike Porter (4) & David
Manley (20) lost to Jonathan Hills (3) and Vi Lester (16) -3
Bernard Yallop (10) beat Ted Davey (7) +5
Mike Porter lost to Ted
Davey -10
Bernard Yallop beat Jonathan Hills +7
David Manley lost to Vi Lester -3(T)