On probably the warmest day this year Chelmsford Blue visited Southchurch at Rayleigh on 24th May to play their second match in the EACF Handicap League. The 2 doubles matches were both won by Chelmsford 7-5 and 7-6 to get the team off to the best possible start. That lead was increased as we took 3 of the first 4 singles. Score 1-5. Southchurch took the second set of singles 3-1 so Chelmsford led at lunch by 6 games to 4. The 3rd set was shared 2 games all so hopes were high that a win would be possible. However Southchurch had other ideas and, in winning 3 of the final 4 games the eventual result was a draw 9-9. Southchurch 103 hoops Chelmsford 98. A really good match played on lawns that are steadily improving. Thanks must go to Southchurch for their hospitality and refreshments before and after the match. Teams; Southchurch; Tony Butcher (Captain) (3) Dave Brown (5) Alan Cornelius (7) and Sheila Makkink (10). Chelmsford Blue; Judith Hand (5) (Captain) Sue MacDonald (9) Betty Craig (12) and John Skuse (5). PS John’s handicap reduced to 4 at end of match.

On Friday 19th May our Green team of Tony Frewin, David Dawsey (capt) Bob and Karen Jones, with a combined handicap of 22, entertained a Southchurch team of Tom Butcher, Dave Brown, Alan and Louise Cornelius with handicaps totalling 21. In dank conditions that fortunately improved as the day progressed the 2 doubles commenced proceedings with both Green pairings losing by the narrowest of margins at the 13th hoop. Our visitors retained this 2 point lead as the first 8 singles were shared before lunch with only 2 games going as far as the 12th hoop. The third set of 4 singles saw the home team, possibly inspired by a single call of the cuckoo at 2pm draw level as they managed 3 wins including a creditable 7-5 win by Karen over the hitherto unbeaten Tony Butcher. The final set of singles, with all to play for, was won 3-1 by Southchurch with only one game going beyond the 10th hoop. Star player for Chelmsford, captain David who, in winning 3 of his singles , saw his handicap reduce to 6 despite a couple of hiccups involving wrong ball play. The relatively early finish to the match enabled both teams to enjoy refreshments as the sun belatedly decided to put in an appearance which was more than could be said of the cuckoo. Have we heard the last of that wonderful call for 2017? Final Result Chelmsford Green 8 (95 hoops) – Southchurch 10 (98hoops).

The only match arranged in the EACF Handicap League before the end of April was played in chilly, but otherwise ideal conditions, between our 2 teams captained by David Dawsey for the Greens and Judith Hand for the Blues. The opening doubles matches were shared and after the first 8 singles, when we had a break for lunch, the teams were level at 5 games all. However the afternoon series of a further 8 singles saw the Greens overcome the Blues by 7 games to 1 thus ensuring a comfortable win for the “home ” team. Apart from the players who have played in previous years it was good to see Deborah Clarke (+10) for the Blues, and for the Greens Linda Murrell (+11) and Ernie Bailey (+11) all enjoying some success as they made their debuts in this competition. Particular mention should be made of Ernie’s achievement in winning all 4 of his singles including a great approach shot to the 13th hoop, and, amidst much applause, a successful running of the hoop, when playing the final match of the afternoon as the sun came out to finally warm up those taking refreshments. Final score Chelmsford Green 12 (114 hoops) Chelmsford Blue 6 (86 hoops).

Eleven members played 18 holes of Pitch and Putt on the course, which had recovered well from Sunday’s heavy rain, at the West Park Golf Centre. The winner on the day was Tony Frewin with an excellent round of 79 whilst Keith Harris and Tony Murray shared second spot with rounds of 83. Others taking part: David Bateson, Nanette Wright, Cheryl Stephenson, Richard and Maggie Lewin, Christine Gowers, Ernie Bailey and John Skuse. Thanks must go to Tony F, for organising an enjoyable day, and to the gallery of David D, Hilary and Tess for their support. Tony receives his winnings. Sorry Tony – you are still an amateur!

The sun certainly shone on this walk organised by Lesley . Lunch followed at the White Hart, Little Waltham. Encore 2017! T

The first ever season long singles competitions were well supported by 16 players in each event. In the Handicap competition David Dawsey(7) overcame John in the semi-final whilst Tony Frewin(4) beat Anne(7). By all accounts David managed his extra turns well in the final to take the spoils by 7 hoops to 4. The Level Play singles final was apparently a close affair. Tony had beaten David in one semi-final whilst John had lost not only his coveted handicap of 4 but the game to Paul(3) in the other! The final must have been a somewhat tense affair as it was only decided on the golden hoop with Tony winning 7-6.

As this season’s inaugural knock-out level play doubles competition came to its conclusion today the weather turned distinctly chilly and waterproofs were hastily donned and shed as showers passed over Writtle. Before the final there was a semi-final to be decided between David D and John S versus Judith and Linda. This proved to be a very close affair with David and John edging it 7-6 with all 4 players playing well. The final, played in rather better weather, saw Ernie and Paul versus David and John. Two hoops stay in the memory – hoop 7 which Paul won with a 3 yard special after a lengthy battle and hoop 11. By this time David and John were really up against it as they were losing 4-6. David’s ball to the hoop in a good position with Paul missing it. Decision time, does John gamble that Ernie will miss David’s ball and play towards hoop 12? Yes he does! Ernie clears David’s ball with a fine shot. After an exchange of shots with John’s ball now well behind the action David has no option but to run the hoop with pace hoping to reach hoop 12. Sometimes this tactic can work but, as the ball bounced off the hoop rather than through it, Paul once more demonstrated his hoop running skills successfully to win 7-4.

Today Paul Bridgman(3) and Tony Frewin(5) agreed to play a 19 hoop rather than a best of 3×13 hoop final to decide the winner of the 2016 level play open singles. Paul won the toss and after a monumental battle managed to win the first 2 hoops in just under half an hour. Fortunately play speeded up with Tony levelling at 3 hoops all before Paul won 4 hoops in succession to take a 7-3 lead as they passed the half-way stage. Typically Tony fought back to 7-6 before Paul won the 14th when Tony’s jump shot rather unluckily pushed his opponent’s black ball through. The next 4 hoops were shared and the final finished after 65 minutes with Paul retaining his title by 10 hoops to 8. Congratulations to Paul for retaining the winner’s trophy and to Tony for helping to make the final such a close contest.

Ten players travelled to Rayleigh on Monday to play Southchurch in a match that would decide who would hold the Coralie Cup for 2016. By virtue of a more substantial win over Tipps Cross the home team had a lead of 12 hoops coming into this match. At lunch time, after 4 of the 6 sets had been played Southchurch still led by 8 hoops. Whatever we had for lunch clearly worked in our favour as the 8 doubles games played after the interval were won by 37 hoops to 19 resulting in a win for Chelmsford by 10 hoops. Final score Southchurch-at-Rayleigh 73 Chelmsford 95. It should be mentioned that Southchurch rested one or two of their better players from this match and gave several of their newer members a chance to enjoy match play for the first time. We thanked Southchurch for their generous hospitality before, during and after the match as Tony Butcher, the home manager presented the cup to as happy a group of 10 you are likely to come across – see photo attached.

On a fine September morning 16 members took part in this annual competition. With everyone present by 10.00am the draw for partners was made for the 5×7 hoop games to be be played by the 8 pairings: David D/Nora, Betty/Len, Lesley/ Paul, Judith/Christine, Ernie/Deb, Anne/Linda, John/Janis and Joan/Sheila. In bright warm sunshine the first 3 games were played followed by a leisurely lunch break under the awning. As the remaining games were played in the afternoon skies began to turn grey but fortunately conditions remained dry. There was no need to get the calculators out to establish which pairs would take part in the final as only Betty and Len and Judith and Christine had managed to win 4 of their 5 games. The 13 hoop final seemed to be passing without much interest until it was established that Judith and Christine were leading by 5 hoops to nil. At long last the crowd decided to cheer for the underdogs and Christine did her best to encourage them by failing to run hoop 6 on what seemed like several occasions but that may be an exaggeration on my part. Ernie reckoned a force field had developed round that hoop but eventually Judith and Christine managed to run it so a whitewash was very much on the cards. However all was not lost as Betty succeeded in running hoop 7 to cheers from the assembled throng. Could a momentous fightback now begin? Alas no. Judith ran hoop 8 with a flourish to help Christine succeed for the second year running. Thanks are due to all who supplied refreshments for the after game experience and to Judith for organising the whole event