Our level play team of Paul Bridgman (4), Bob Jones (5), Judith Hand (5) and Tony Frewin (5) entertained Watford in the EACF Level play league on 27th May. With lightning fast lawns the first two doubles were shared with Tony and Paul losing rather unluckily to Steve (1) and Anne Dennis (6) by the narrowest of margins whilst Judith and Bob managed a fine win over John Smallbone (2) and Arthur Reed (3) by 7 hoops to 4. The first set of 4 singles saw Watford take a 4-2 lead. Steve,and John had convincing wins over Paul and Bob and Arthur, a recent winner of a GC ‘B” level tournament had a 7-6 win over Judith.

Our sole winner was Tony who had a struggle to beat Anne 7-6. By lunchtime Watford had extended their lead to 7-3 as Judith lost to Anne 3-7, Tony to Arthur 5-7 and Bob to Steve 4-7 whilst Paul had a convincing 7-3 win over John. The third set of games was shared 2-2 with wins for Paul 7-3 over Arthur and Judith over Steve 7-5 but despite fine efforts by Bob losing to Anne 4-7 and Tony to John 4-7 it appeared certain that Watford would once again triumph as they now led 9-5 with the remaining four singles to be played. It was suggested that a group hug might inspire the team but Bob refused to join in when confronted by your humble scribe! By now the home support had grown to 4 all grouped round corner 1 of court 1. Excitement grew as Judith stormed into a 5-1 lead over John and Tony on the same lawn was showing great determination in competing against Steve. By now the crowd whilst still enthusiastic had been reduced to 3 as David Dawsey had an urgent appointment. Judith’s game now turned out to be a nail-biter as her lead evaporated rather too quickly for her liking. Never mind she closed out her game at the penultimate hoop 7-5. Attention turned to Tony’s progress against their highest ranked player Steve and once again hands were shaken on the 12th hoop as Tony also won 7-5. With a match score now standing at 9-7 the games on court 2 were also finishing without anyone at corner one having an idea as to how their games had gone. Expressions as they approached the clubhouse gave little away. Well we had given Watford a good game. Paul quietly announced that he had won his game versus Anne 7-1. Match score 8-9. Bob bringing up the rear without the benefit of a group hug had beaten Arthur 7-2. We had drawn 9-9! With the match not finishing until 4.30pm tea and cakes were served and the Watford team accepted with good grace the understandable excitement in the home camp. Finally many thanks to all who helped with catering and clearing up after this extraordinary match. John PS Next match: Friday 17th June Home to Letchworth.

Chelmsford were represented by Anne, Judith, Karen and Lesley at this tournament for 16 players over the weekend of 21st and 22nd May. Conditions on the Saturday were difficult as the Ramsgate courts are exposed to the elements and the wind made accurate ball striking challenging to put it mildly. Fortunately the weather did improve as the weekend progressed and congratulations are due to Karen for winning the Plate competition. This photo shows all four members of our club in cheerful mood prior to the commencement of play on the Sunday morning.

On Wednesday 18th May 2016 heavy rain was forecast to pour upon Rayleigh where Southchurch now play there home fixtures on the outfield of Rayleigh Cricket Club. The forecasters were not wrong! Conditions were atrocious but all eight players battled cheerfully throughout the match in a various assortment of wet weather gear. Match details (handicaps in brackets) as follows: Tony Butcher (5) and Louise Cornelius (6) 4 v John Skuse (4) and Tony Frewin (5) 7 won Pete Wilkinson (10) and Maggie Williams (11) v David Dawsey (9) and Anne Skuse (11) 4 lost Tony 7 John 2 lost Louise 4 Tony 7 won Pete 7 David 2 lost Maggie 7 Anne 4 lost Pete 4 Anne 7 won Maggie 2 David 7 won Tony 7 Tony 6 lost Louise 7 John 6 lost Tony 7 David 4 lost Louise 7 Anne 2 lost Pete 0 John 7 won Maggie 2 Tony 7 won Pete 2 Tony 7 won Maggie 4 John 7 won Tony 7 Anne 3 lost Louise 7 David 3 lost Result Southchurch at Rayleigh 10 Chelmsford 8. A very close contest with Chelmsford actually winning more hoops – 95 to 92.

Karen running the hoop v Colchester.

The club’s first handicap league match on at home to Colchester on Friday 6th May was played in ideal conditions with the cuckoo providing splendid accompaniment for about 4 hours. Our team of Bob (5) and Karen Jones (8), Judith Hand (5) and Anne Skuse (11) were obviously inspired by the surrounding ambience and won 12-6. Match details: Judith and Anne 7 Michael (4) and Marian (4) Manning 4 won Bob and Karen 5 Pam Hopper (5) and Jill Mills (6) 7 lost Judith 7 Michael 2 won Bob 7 Marian 4 won Karen 6 Pam 7 lost Anne 7 Jill 4 won Karen 5 Jill 7 lost Anne 7 Pam 3 won Judith 7 Marian 4 won Bob 7 Michael 3 won Judith 5 Pam 7 lost Bob 7 Jill 5 won Karen 7 Michael 6 won Anne 6 Marian 7 lost Karen 7 Marian 5 won Anne 7 Michael 6 won Judith 7 Jill 4 won Bob 4 Pam 7 lost In the gallery there will shortly appear a photo of Karen running hoop 8 in her match with Marian.

On Saturday 14th May Chelmsford travelled to Newport for their first match in this year’s Essex and Suffolk League. On a dry but slightly overcast day a close match ensued with Newport running out winners by 4 matches to 3. The morning doubles match saw Chelmsford captain Ron Atkinson (16) teamed with John Skuse (14) losing narrowly to Fran Lambert (12) and Jim Potter (4.5) by -4T. In the two morning singles David Ebert (18) beat Bernard Yallop (12) +17T and Ian Warnock (14) lost to Dennis Saville (11) -18. Lunch score – Newport 2,Chelmsford 1. In the four afternoon singles there were Chelmsford wins for Ron Atkinson (+6 v Bernard Yallop) and Ian Warnock (+4 v Jim Potter), but defeats for David Ebert (-2 v Fran Lambert) and John Skuse (-6 v Dennis Saville), resulting in a final match score of 4-3 to Newport. The next EACF league match is on Saturday June11th at Ipswich.