Newport CC has a thriving Golf Croquet section. A series of friendly matches is played through the season, as well as the (marginally) more serious business of the EACF Golf Croquet League - see the diary for details of fixtures.

Reports on matches and events through the season will appear below. Reports from 2005 can be seen here.

22nd September: EACF GOLF CROQUET LEAGUE SEMI FINALS

Saturday morning 22nd September 2007 saw the EACF Golf League Semi-Final held on the lawns of Newport Croquet Club between Downham Market (winners of the Northern area) and Enfield (winners of the Eastern area).

Team Players were:

A perfect morning for weather with each team, consisting of four players, playing a total of 18 games - 16 singles and 2 doubles matches. The day culminated in a win for Enfield by 14 points to 4.

The afternoon semi-final, arranged between the Southern area winners, Watford, and Central area winners, Sudbury, was not played due to Sudbury withdrawing from the competition at the last moment leaving Watford to become the winner from this group.

23rd September: EACF GOLF CROQUET LEAGUE FINALS

Sunday’s Final was played between Watford and Enfield, with the format as for the semi-final. Again the weather was with us.

Team Players were:

Watford defeated Enfield by 10 points to 8.The winning team was presented with the EACF Golf League Trophy by the Vice Chairman of Newport CC and organiser of the 2007 Golf Croquet League, Tony Marks.

Tournament Referees both days were David Manley and John Sibson. Manager for the weekend was Tony Marks

31st July - Visit of Southchurch Park

On the 31 July we invited Southchurch Park to visit us for a friendly match. It was the first time that Southchurch had visited the club. They brought 8 players with them and Tony Marks devised a quite complex day's play. His wife, who on this occasion was not playing but was allocated to do the timing, fill in scores sheets etc., finally came to grips with it all sometime late morning!

The weather was kind, the day worked out well and, even nicer, we managed a win. To see a photo, click here. We hope to play Southchurch Park some time next season.

26th July - Visit to Colchester

The 26 July saw us going to Colchester for a friendly match. A spot we always enjoy visiting. Valerie Rigg had the task of managing the day and it went very well with evenly matched competitors.

We have been extremely lucky with the weather this season, considering the amount of rain, and on this occasion, after we had retired for tea and the result was announced as a draw, the heavens decided to open! Perfect timing!

14th July - Visit to Downham Market

On Saturday 14 July we were invited to Downham Market for a friendly game. The weather was with us and we had a competitive day, devised by Martin Ambrose, and a good social event. Thoroughly enjoyed by all.

19th June - Newport 11, Bury St. Edmunds 7

Newport broke with recent tradition by fielding an all-male team for their league match at Bury St. Edmunds. The team of David Manley, John Sibson, Tony Marks and Lew Rossiter came away with an 11-7 victory.

10th May - Newport 7, Sudbury 11

Newport lost their opening match in the EACF Central Area Golf Croquet league.

13th/14th January - Indoor Golf Croquet - Photos here

The weekend proved a popular event with 7 clubs taking part.

The finalists of the Saturday tournament were Leighton Linslade Team 1 (Richard Keighley and John Cundell) and Downham Market Team 2 (Linda and Martin Ambrose). The winners were Leighton Linslade Team 1.

The finalists on Sunday were Norwich Team 2 (Sarah Barley and Ann Tallowin) and Newport Team 1 (Pat Marks and John Sibson). The winners were Norwich Team 2.

Bury St Edmunds, Downham Market and Newport entered teams for both the Saturday and Sunday.

People seem to enjoy getting out for a game of croquet in the winter. We hope the event continues to be popular.

15th December - Golf Croquet Members' Dinner
The Golf Croquet Members had an enjoyable Christmas Dinner at the Crown, Little Walden. Adrian Seabrook, the winner of the Golf Croquet Club Tournament was presented with his trophy (click here for photos). The trophy, "Potter's Pot", was donated by the Club Chairman, Jim Potter, with the base made by Tony Marks and the shield inscribed by David Manley.

25th/26th November - Indoor Golf Croquet - Photos here

The weekend 25th/26th November saw the second Golf indoor doubles tournament at Soham. Nine clubs attended, each providing two, and, in two cases, three teams. First-time participants were Wrest Park, Hunstanton, and Wells-next-the-Sea. The format comprised two groups with the winner of each group as finalists, each match being played on a timed and handicapped points system.

Saturday’s finalists were David and Helen Manley (Newport 2 team) and Don Barrett and Peggy Kenny (Wrest Park 1 team) - a very closely matched final with Newport 2 team winning.

Prizes were presented by Tony Marks, the tournament organiser.

Sunday finalists were Ann Sweeney and Brian Cash (Bury St Edmunds1 team) and Betty and Roger Lambert (Letchworth 2 team) - last years winners. Again a very closely matched final with Bury St Edmunds 1 team winning

Prizes were presented by David Kitson, the EACF Chairman.

I would like to thank all those clubs and players who partook in this most enjoyable weekend’s golf tournament. I hope to see even more clubs and players at our next Indoor Golf Event at Soham on the 13th/14th January 2007.

Tony Marks

15/8/06 Newport beat Colchester 10-8 (EACF Golf Croquet League)