Category: News

Report by Bett Bates and image by Peter Wilson (Fylde)

The morning pairing of Peter and Liz and Dave and Mark started with Pendle holding 12 bisques. The rookie Dave did well with the guidance of Mark. Peter and Liz showed their prowess keeping their opponents on their toes. The game was very tight on the time turn. Pendle held onto their final bisque, but unfortunately they were unable to use it in the time turn. Eventually the Fylde pairing won plus 1 on time. Nathan was always in control with his match against Catherine but she did not make it easy for him, continually splitting him up and giving him long hit ins , he consistently made the roquets, eventually winning 17 -9. Betty versus Libby was a cagey affair for the first hour, with only four hoops scored between them in over an hour. Libby had some lovely hit ins as did Betty. Both the girls clumped a number of hoops which stopped both their breaks. Betty won in the end 21-11

Peter played some fabulous long roquets using his unusual side stance, and showed the audience why he was a handicap 3. Catherine had some nice turns but missed a few short roquets. Peter won 26-12. Liz versus Mark was a closely fought affair, but time went against Liz being able to catch up the small margins. Mark beat Liz 20-17 Nathan made light work of roqueting on the undulating and dry lawn playing against Libby winning 20-8. Betty gave Dave 12 bisques towards his game, Betty made sure his balls were split apart making it difficult for him on his turns. She put together some good breaks and did some spectacular hoops. She won 26-11 leaving Dave with 4 bisques still in the ground. She commented on how well Dave hit in and how in the future with some coaching on the use of the bisques he would be formidable.

It was an amazing result Fylde winning 6-1 despite not having any bisques between them.

The weather remained warm but not too uncomfortable. A very pleasant day in lovely company, made all the more jolly with some home made carrot cake from Fylde member Barbara and despite it being the Lytham Ladies Open Golf competition neither team were held up in traffic.

Teams:

Pendle – Paul, Mark, Andrew, Catherine

Southport – Gail, Tina, Bill, Eddie

Our first home match of the season started less than ideally with a score of 4-0 down after the first round and didn’t fair much better by lunchtime with the scoreboard definitely leaning in Southport’s favour. A win from Mark – thankfully – erased the ‘nil point’ home score. 

After a convivial lunch, we were back in business for round 3. The rain was just about keeping at bay and hope was still in the home team’s hearts….

…but misplaced, perhaps. Still only one win on the scoreboard for Pendle at the end of round 3 so only pride to play for in the final round. 

Thanks once again to Mark, we doubled our score by the end of round 4! Nonetheless, at the end of the match, Southport were the well deserved victors. 

Final score Pendle 2 Southport 14.

Fun and games today with our inaugural ‘Super 12’s’ tournament for 12 handicappers and/or new members who’ve not yet had a taste of competition. Some tight games and a few twists and turns before Donna triumphed, beating her sparring partner and actual partner into 2nd and 3rd respectively. We may hear the last of it but it won’t be anytime soon!

The first day proceedings started on a very wet Friday afternoon. The lawns were in incredible condition considering the bad weather  in recent days. The damp and cold start was improved by the warm welcome of the club and their catering team on hand with hot tea and biscuits and an even warmer welcome from Brian Medley the tournament manager.

It was nice to see familiar faces from around the country. The 16 players were not disheartened by the dreary weather, as they say in Norway it is not bad weather, it is just bad clothing.

It was a very relaxed tournament, players could opt out of playing whenever they wished, with the proviso that in order to qualify for the handicap competition, 5 games were played over the course of the weekend. The rain came down in bucket loads and a couple of the lawns appeared to become small lakes, but with the help of the new squeegee they were soon sorted. A big thank you to the players who helped, as the volume of water was quite substantial (and heavy to push); allowing play to continue unhindered.

At day one Fiona Crompton, Mark Simmerson ,Angharrad Walters and Andrew Gould were unbeaten, Andrew winning 26-0 in less than an hour against Stephen Wright. 

Saturday was very squally with the precursor to Storm Dave, which was to arrive later that day. 33km ph winds were recorded in Earby in the afternoon. Sadly John Henderson had to withdraw due to injury, although no one was left waiting too long for a game.

At day 2 Angharrad and Mark were still unbeaten.

Sunday was extremely cold, luckily there were no ill effects after the previous evenings 40mph winds (Storm Dave). A number of the players huddled in the heated hut when out of play.

At day 3 Angharrad and Mark were again still unbeaten.

In contrast to the previous days, on Monday, the clouds cleared, the wind dissipated and the layers of clothing were removed as the sun shone, and even the balloon flights took place due to the calm weather.

The handicap final was between Betty Bates and partner Lee Hartley which resulted in some friendly banter. In a nip and tuck game Betty was eventually victorious after pegging Lee’s front ball off, winning plus 4.

Angharrad Walters and Mark Simmerson played the Advanced final with Angharrad the victor in a closely fought contest. 

Advanced Trophy was won by Angharrad Walters

John Beech Handicap was won by Betty Bates

Low Handicap trophy – Lee Hartley

High Handicap trophy- Debbie Watson

Fasted game Andrew Gould

Handicap changes for Betty Bates and Mark Simmerson. Lee Hartley did his first TPO.

Brian Medley ran the tournament extremely swiftly, helped by a wonderful cohort of friendly and amenable players. Thanks should also go to ROT Angharrad Walters and the numerous other referees who helped out at the busier times.  Extended thanks to Stephen Wright chairman of Pendle and his team for their warm hospitality.

The groundsmen at Pendle also deserve a mention for the excellent condition of their lawns and also the catering team who served delicious warm, home cooked meals and were very attentive. A lovely weekend played with conviviality. Finally, the wooden spoon was awarded for the first time in many years the last recipient was John Beech, however the ‘winner’ will remain nameless. 

The intrepid band of Croqueteers who earned their sunshine today after battling everything storm Dave had thrown at them with good cheer and in a great atmosphere. Congratulations to Betty Bates, overall winner of the John Beech Memorial and a couple of our P&C homeboys who struck silver; Andrew Gould with Fastest Win (43 min) and Stephen Wright for Most Games Played.

Other winners: Low Handicap; Lee Hartley, High Handicap; Debbie Watson, Peter Dowdall Trophy; Angharrad Walters.

Team: Paul, Libby and Catherine (P) v Tina, Gail and Eileen (S)

We had a lovely day by the seaside for this away match against Southport – the last match of the season. There were a couple of heavy showers but on the whole a fine, albeit windy, day with blue skies and sunshine. At lunchtime the scores were even but in the afternoon the home team pulled out all the stops and the end result was a very close 5-4 to Southport. An early finish and therefore more time for tea and cake!

This year’s tournament had 10 entries, after several withdrawals and replacements to keep the numbers even.

All games were to be 2½ hours with bisque difference meaning three games could be finished on the first day and two on the Sunday. Handicaps ranged from 3½ to 20

On the final day both Libby Dixon and Paul Dowdall had four wins each but Libby took the cup having beaten Paul in their match. Paul, however, did get the Fastest Game trophy (1 hour and 20 minutes)

August Handicap winner. Libby Dixon

August Handicap Fastest Game, Paul Dowdall. Trophy being presented by David Magee(Tournament Manager)

Match report 7th August 2025

Teams: Paul, Mark, Andrew and Catherine v Mike, Sue, Phil and Roger. 

A day of all weathers with waterproofs one minute and (almost) sun cream the next saw the eight players through four very well played rounds on the Pendle lawns today. By lunchtime the score was 5-3 to the home team. A good third round brought the score to 8-4 but Westmorland were not giving up and won 3 of the last 4 matches. The final score was a win for the home team with 9 games to 7. 

An enjoyable day had by all. 

Pendle and Craven CC played Sheffield Croquet Club today in mixed weather of sunshine and cloudy cool conditions.

Pendle Team Paul Dowdall(1), Andrew Gould(4) and Libby Dixon (4).

Sheffield team John Crossland (0), Richard Hulme(2) and John Tidy(5).

The match commenced at 10.30 allowing Sheffield some extra time for their long(two hour) trip and by lunch Pendle & Craven were 5/1 up.

The afternoon play saw Pendle 5/1 again, therefore the match was won by Pendle 10/2. It also saw Andrew gain enough points to trigger to a handicap of 3.

Afternoon tea was enjoyed before the Sheffield team set off for home.

Match report 

Teams: Libby, Paul and Catherine v Vi, Roger, Phil and Richard. 

An intrepid team of three Pendlers wended their way to Whitehead Park on Saturday to play the next match in the short lawn league. 

There was excellent play on both sides and some very close game results throughout the day. Super hosting as always and good weather too. Nonetheless, after four rounds the final score was Bury 12, Pendle 4.