Hazel claims croquet club's Most Improved Player title

'Woodhall Spa Croquet Club had a very successful year during their 2018 season.'
Hazel Clift is seen receiving her prize for the clubs Most Improved Player from secretary Tom Johnson.Hazel Clift is seen receiving her prize for the clubs Most Improved Player from secretary Tom Johnson.
Hazel Clift is seen receiving her prize for the clubs Most Improved Player from secretary Tom Johnson.

These were the words used by chairperson Pauline Donner at the club’s annual presentation lunch, held at Abbey Lodge.

Very few club days have been lost this year, due to unfavourable weather conditions, and members have enjoyed a long, hot, dry season of playing in club sessions, available on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday afternoons for golf croquet and Thursday afternoon for Association croquet.

The trial of an evening session on a Tuesday evening, particularly to attract and introduce new members to the game, has also been successful.

The Woodhall Spa team which played in Division Two of the East Midlands Federation of Croquet Clubs had their most successful year yet and achieved first place in the league, resulting in their promotion to Division One next year.

There they will come up against some of the best players in the East Midlands area.

Pauline reported that it is the first time the team could ever remember winning all six matches they had played throughout the season.

The introduction of a new local league this year, to introduce newer players to playing league matches against local clubs, had also been very successful.

Although the Woodhall Spa team had been a little hesitant at first, once they had got used to league play they really enjoyed it and although they had not come top of their league, they had certainly done themselves proud, winning five out of their eight matches.

Secretary Tom Johnson took over to present the prizes.

Receiving awards were: Lincoln Cup Doubles open - Pauline Donner and Roy Donner (Woodhall Spa CC); Lincoln Cup Singles open - Roy Donner (Woodhall Spa CC); Jubilee Park Challenge Trophy Open - Horncastle U3A (Jim Forgham, Roy Donner and Pauline Donner); Members’s Doubles Competition - Pauline Donner and Andrew Grant; Invitation Day open - Jane Tewson and Paul Durkin (Long Eaton CC); Club Championship - Pauline Donner; Most Improved Player - Hazel Clift.

The club is not all about winning competitions and they have a strong social side to the game, allowing members to play for fun whilst getting gentle exercise and fresh air.

Taster sessions begin again in the spring.