The heatwave temperatures of late June continued for the Harris Handicap, now in its third year. Fourteen players turned out in sartorial style with outfits inventively customised in croquet colours, and contested four rounds of short croquet on lawns that challenged with variable speeds. Following the example of the World Cup hydration breaks were built in after each round and gave the players some necessary respite from the heat. By lunchtime, after two rounds, Sue L and Chris A were leaders of the pack with two wins apiece.
Conversation flowed over an excellent Bring&Share lunch - the usual range of savoury and sweet delights was enjoyed by all. Siestas were called for but time was pressing for the afternoon’s play.
Eight competitors.
Two fast lawns in great condition.
Playing "off-base" so enough bisques to get going.
Three, two-hour 18-point games each day. Usable weather.
All the ingredients for an enjoyable and competitive weekend's play.
And so it proved. At the end of the first day, five players had each won two or three of their games. A night's sleep failed to separate the pack, and by the end of the penultimate round three players shared the honours with four wins out of five. As luck would have it, of those three, the two players with the highest positive points difference (Helen Griffiths and Alison Larard) faced each other in the final round - a true final.
A compelling match ensued. But while that was taking place on Lawn 2, on Lawn 1 Denise Foster was calmly and confidently using bisques to complete her break of 12 hoops, and earning her Bronze Merit Award. Many congratulations to her. Back on Lawn 2, Alison pegged out to clinch victory in the game and match. A hard fought and well deserved result.
As ever, many thanks to all those who contributed to an excellent weekend's play, amongst them the grounds team, those who set-up and put away, and not least Malcolm Tingle, a competitor, whose home-made cakes would have been reason enough on their own to take part.
Richard Lamborn won the northern Final of the Charity 1-ball, at Bowdon. An impressive 6 wins from 6 games after a close-fought final round which had some tense moments, Richard eventually prevailing 13-10. Congratulations to Richard.
Many York players took part in the YCF heat earlier in April. In total 40 heats were played by clubs nationally, raising a magnificent total of £8,135.25 for Save The Children. With Gift Aid an even more magnificent donation of £9,043.50!
A strong contingent of York members joined the annual YCF Charity 1-ball event, playing in aid of Save The Children. Dressed head to toe in the charity colour of red (Denise sporting the best outfit of the day down to the red shoelaces!), collectively we raised £210, playing 6 rounds of 1-ball, fuelled by delicious cake donated by club members.
YCC members turned out in numbers for a pre-season working party. A sunny and warm Wednesday helped make relative light of the work on site.
Season 2025 brought a cornucopia of rewards for the York league teams. The squads won both the Yorkshire Federation leagues (short and full), ending a 20 year drought in the short croquet league. Added to these victories came success in both Croquet North and the East Pennine League - a clean sweep for York Croquet Club. Congratulations to all who played…and so well! We now go on to represent our federation in the Inter-Club Short Croquet competition and the Secretary’s Shield in 2026.
YCC League Manager Sue, squad players James and Tom receive the silverware