In general, not much is known about croquet, but hidden away in a corner of Reigate, Surrey, our club has been established for 100 years, catering for members of all ages, from all walks of life. A sociable and fun past-time, with the potential for games to range from simple and carefree, to devilishly tactical, croquet is a low-impact sport, which is easy to… Read more →
Reigate’s four-strong team of ladies – Tricia, Sue, Freda and me – were not daunted in the Croquet South East GC Ladies’ Day on 9 July, despite facing teams from 13 other clubs from around the region. Each team played six rounds consisting of a doubles and two singles, which kept us very busy all day. And we did very… Read more →
The Third European Club Tournament (our second) got underway for Reigate Priory CC on Wednesday 7 May 2025. We were drawn away at Vigo, in NW Spain, and joined by Ealing and German team Sudwest B from near Frankfurt. Our first challenge was to work out how to get to Vigo, which reminded us of the R.E.M song, All the… Read more →
It was back in April when John Bristow canvassed interest in taking part in the Croquet South East 14pt AC Doubles competition. “We have entered for many years with fluctuating fortune,” he wrote. “It is a good opportunity for the less experienced … with guidance in a doubles environment.” He reiterated his message as he and I plus Claire and Paul… Read more →
Nine players dressed in blue took to the lawn on Sunday 27th April for the Reigate heat of the national Charity One Ball competition. Blue is the colour of the Alzheimer’s Society which was the nominated charity this year. We raised a very impressive £146 from the entry fees, donations and sales of cake, which entitles two Reigate players to… Read more →
As the season comes to an end, it is worth reflecting on our unsuccessful attempt in the spring to win the SECF AC Teams Doubles trophy at Southwick. We have won it before, but this year’s format had an experimental change: pairs could choose whether to play conventionally – taking responsibility for one ball each – or to play alternate… Read more →
Once the mulled wine had been drunk, the mince pies eaten and Freda Knight’s always-excellent spread of bites had been enjoyed, John Prior and his partner Phil Davies wrapped up the final of the 2024 Christmas Cracker by beating Sue Rice and John Dawson, 4-1. It was a repeat win for John P, who had been in the winning pair… Read more →
Having won the trophy in 2023, our Centenary Year, we were keen to repeat the feat in 2024. We did, but it went down to the final game. This year’s matches were against Bromley, Hampstead, Ember, and Cheam, and our defence started with two Home matches. The first, in early August, was against Bromley. We were in very good ‘hoop… Read more →
No-one expected it to be warm when the one-ball final was scheduled for 20 November, and the day dawned with frost on the lawn. But by the start time of 11am, that had gone, leaving leaves – lots of them – to greet finalists Phil Davies and Doug Dykes on their arrival. Clearing them delayed the start of the match,… Read more →
Managing to arrange players to be available on a given weekend is never easy. This year was proving to be particularly difficult so the early summer final in July was cancelled to be replaced by one in September. Nevertheless initially Doug and latterly Caroline managed to put together a programme of seven finals over the weekend of 17-18 August. There… Read more →
Following on from the successful tournament held in the Centenary year the format was repeated this year at the end of August on a cold and blustery day, but at least there was no rain. This year Caterham, Ember, Merton and Purley Bury clubs entered teams of two players. To keep the balls rolling and the half lawns full, Reigate… Read more →