TOMPINSON SHIELD

Congratulations to Nigel Polhill winning this year's shield with an unbeaten run over two days.

Here is Nigel receiving the trophy from Val Tomkinson

Symons Cup

Graham Colclough from Shrewsbury retained the Symons Cup with an unbeaten run. Here he is receiving the trophy from Chairman Ian Slater

Longman Cup

 Paul Trafford, Richard Thompson, Phil Bate and Ian Whitlock represented Edgbaston in this year’s Longman Cup.  We were drawn against Fylde CC, which is near the end of the M55 in Blackpool.  We played the match on Monday 11^th July.  We were unlucky with the toss, and we had to travel to Fylde for the game.  We travelled up in two cars, because Phil went up with his father-in-law, John, who also plays at Stourbridge, and who may turn up at Edgbaston to play in the future.  Richard drove Paul and Ian up.  We arrived in time to start play at 11am.  Paul and Richard played the doubles, and won on time, but Phil and Ian both lost, so we went into lunch 2 – 1 down.  They fed us well, so we started the second round full of hope.  Unfortunately, our hope was soon pricked.  Paul lost quite quickly to their No 1, Terry Vernazza, who had two great breaks.  Richard  won then soon after, beating their captain Martin Bradshaw.  He claimed he could not miss, and whenever I glanced on to his lawn, he seemed to be roquetting over enormous distances.  Phil and I could still have won for the club, but unfortunately Ian got beaten by Betty Bates, before Phil also lost on time to Lenard Aisworth.  Not a great result, but we all enjoyed our trip tp Fylde who looked after us so well.  If you want to see the lawns at Fylde – look on the web at synchronised croquet – you may see more that you expect.

Mary Rose

Edgbaston fielded the same team that had emerged victorious from the first round against Bristol in their home tie in the second round against Woking. The
visitors sent a strong team with two scratch handicaps and another of a half. Edgbaston fought hard with most games being closely contested, and Simon
Cawdell and Jim Markham scored excellent victories. Ultimately, Woking proved the stronger team and thoroughly deserved to progress winning 4-2 with one
game unfinished. As the sun shone in the afternoon, both teams enjoyed the excellent conditions which were remarked upon by our visitors and many thanks
are due to Paddy and Alan for presenting the lawns so beautifully and to Jim for his hard work in hoop setting. Good luck to Woking against Cheltenham in the
next round.

The European Croquet Team Championships attracted 12 nations, on the lawns of Cheltenham. Competing nations were: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Jersey, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland & Germany. Each "block" match consists of 2 AC (single game) rubbers and 1 GC (best of three) rubber. Edgbaston's Richard Thompson played all of England's GC matches, with the AC games being shared between Dave Kibble (Bristol), Dave Mundy (Cheltenham) and Dave Foulser (Cheltenham).

With disappointing AC results, it was left to Richard to win the deciding rubber against 2009 European Champions, Scotland, and again to clinch the deciding rubber against Sweden, whose team contained the current European GC individual Champion. Job done, England qualified for the semi final, facing favourites Jersey. Richard was pitted against Matt Burrow, a recent MacRob player, and the first two games (best of five, now) were titanic struggles. Richard played faultlessly to establish a wide winning margin in Game One, obviously rattling his highly-ranked opponent. In Game Two, Richard clawed back a 6:3 deficit, only to lose to a Matt Burrow wonder shot on the Golden Hoop. Sport has its turning points and this was one such. The efforts to secure qualification to the final stages, and then to start the semi final deciding rubber so strongly, proved too much. Richard could not regain the top form that was needed against such a quality opponent, and Jersey eased into the final, in which they beat Scotland.

Richard now moves on to the Qualifying Tournament for the GC World Championships later this month, bruised but still battling.

MARY ROSE

Halse Cup

This tournament was held on May 12/13 fully subscribed. Good weather and a jovial group made for an enjoyable two days of croquet.

The winner was Richard Thompson seen here receiving the trophy from our Chairman Ian Slater

MEMBERSHIP

New members are welcome     Friday and Sunday mornings for Association

                                                Wednesday and Saturday afternoons for Golf   Croquet.

If you are not sure which version will interest you choose the Wednesday/ Saturday options to find out

Whilst the priority for the Club is a convivial atmosphere and an opportunity for everyone to enjoy playing, we do have our competitive successes too. 

The Club GC team retained their title as West Midlands champions in 2010. Paul Swaffield, Nick Hyne and others regularly manage very creditable AC tournament achievements. Richard Thompson is a GC England International, selected to represent the country in the 2009 European Championships. and has been chosen as one of the Top Eight UK GC players for the last 4 years.

The  Chairman, Ian Slater, presented trophies to the winners of the Club competitions of 2010

Victory Cup Parrish Cup Deakin Holroyd Esther Jones Gong Meacham Cups Horlor Cup Golf Doubles Golf Singles	Nick Hyne Nick Hyne Paul Trafford Paul Trafford Richard Thomson & Ian Whittaker Phil Bates Linda & Richard Thomson Richard Thomson