16 Elianore Road, Lexden, Colchester. Essex. CO3 3RX.
News from the club
The entry sheets for this year’s Club competitions are now up in the Clubhouse. You should also have received an email with a pdf entry form if you prefer to enter via email or post.
It would be good to get lots of entries, especially from our newer members. It’s a great way to gain experience, improve your play and meet other members in a competitive but friendly environment!
After 4 months, 144 league and 6 knockout matches, the final came down to two stalwarts of the Club – Paul Goodall against Pat de Burca. With Pat winning the first game 7-5, then Paul winning the second game 7-4, it all came down to the final game which Paul edged on the Golden Hoop by 7 hoops to 6.
Congratulations to Paul and commiserations to Pat.
Hoping to see you all again later in the year for another enthusiastic winter of Croquet!
If you’re looking for a fresh challenge that blends GC and AC, our very own Ricochet is definitely worth a try!
The main distinction is that if you strike (roquet) another ball (a live ball), you earn an extra (continuation) stroke – both balls remain where they land. However, the ball you hit becomes dead and, while you can still strike it, doing so will not generate an additional stroke.
This extra stroke after ricocheting off a live ball opens up a range of strategic possibilities, particularly when running a hoop isn’t immediately viable at the start of your turn:
Order of Play
Starting in the same place as Golf Croquet play in strict GC order: Blue, Red, Black, Yellow.
Your turn ends when:
How the Game Ends
Each hoop run scores one hoop for the player/team. The game concludes when a player/team scores seven hoops (level play). A six-six draw is settled via the Golden Hoop.
Beyond the core mechanics, Ricochet offers layers of strategy:
This version of Ricochet is a streamlined adaptation of the Australian rules, which lean more towards Association Croquet than Golf Croquet. This version was created by AC players at Colchester Croquet Club as a winter alternative to AC, allowing players to stay active and avoid long periods of sitting in the cold while preserving key AC strokes to maintain their skills.
GC rules apply in all but two circumstances, both adopted from AC rules. First, accidental contact before an intended strike does not automatically count as a stroke. Second, any offside balls, regardless of how they reached their position, are relocated to either the middle of the east or west boundary.
If you’re looking for a fresh challenge that expands the strategic element of GC, Ricochet is definitely worth a try!
In the following video it’s black to play from behind the hoop. Fortunately, he can see a path to getting his ball in front of the hoop and scoring it. Once black runs the hoop taking the point it’s yellow’s turn who now makes his way to the next hoop.
In preparation for the new season, a group of volunteers spent the morning staining the benches, the shelter by lawns 3 and 4, and the woodwork in front of the clubhouse. Thanks to Captain Robert and his dream team – Rita, Jill, Philippa, Simon, Andy, Paul, David, Hugh and Alex. Many hands make light work!
On the morning of Tuesday, March 25th, we have a gardening session at the club, which is expected to take 3 to 4 hours. Tasks will include general weeding and tidying up, trimming hedges around the perimeter of the lawns as needed, and clearing dead wood along the verge.
The verge cleanup would be much easier if someone has access to, and is trained to use, a chainsaw.
Please let Martin know your availability and whether you have a hedge trimmer and/or a chainsaw.
Due to the March 30th being Mothering Sunday we are moving the AGM back a day to Saturday March 29th at 15:00 at the clubhouse.
On Friday 7th March, in glorious early Spring sunshine, 16 members attended a coaching session with Alison Maugham from South Ockendon. Many of you will have met Alison at various tournaments and indeed she won our Colchester Ladies Open last year.
The session focused on techniques and practice. In the 4 hours she was with us, Alison ran through lots of topics, giving us her perspective on what works for her including:
Alison’s infectious enthusiasm rubbed off on our members, and with the practice routines she left us with, we all confidently expect our handicaps to tumble!
Huge thanks to Marion de Landmeter who had the idea of inviting Alison, proactively followed it up and made it all happen on the day. Not sure how, but she even sorted the weather. Great job, Marion!
Now that Advantage GC has been in place for a couple of years, the data has been reviewed and improved Starting Tables have been produced.
One major change is that the tables now have starting scores in the previously blanked out grey section. These games are unlikely to be played often, being games where the standard of the players is very different, but they have been included for completeness.
It is important to note that the Advantage system itself has not changed – only the Starting tables.
For full details of the changes and an explanation of how to use the Advantage System, look at the World Croquet Federation – Advantage Golf Croquet
The summer competition entry sheets will be available in the clubhouse and by email in the next couple of weeks and the Croquet England competitions are already available to enter via their website.. In preparation for the new season, the GC club handicappers (Pam, Ian and Alex) need to confirm each year that everyone’s handicap card is accurate and reflects their playing ability.
To that end, there are two envelopes on the board in the clubhouse. Next time you are at the club, please place your card in the ‘FOR CHECKING’ envelope, and one of the handicappers will check and sign it and place in the ‘CHECKED’ envelope, ready for collection.
This is especially important if you played in any events last year – either internal club, EACF, or Croquet England competitions, both level play and Advantage handicap. Filling in the cards can be confusing and once a mistake has been made, and then built on, it can be a nightmare to unravel!
The envelopes will be available through to the opening of the summer lawns on 30th March.
The summer lawns will be white lined on Saturday 29th March, and should be ready for play on Sunday 30th, prior to the AGM at 15.00. Please note that although the hoops have been installed on lawns 3 and 4, these lawns are not yet ready for play so please do not use them.
The Winter League semis and final should be played while the winter lawns are operational, if possible.