Shock win means wooden spoon deftly avoided

Our GC Level League Team unexpectedly triumphed 5-2 against what was, on paper, a much stronger Ealing Team in this week’s hard-fought level league match. The match was played at home in temperatures much more suited to ‘Mad dogs and Englishmen’ than ‘Gentlemen Croquet Players’ – a descriptive term the Tunbridge Wells GC Team always aspire to.

Our first victory of the season means we won’t end up in a relegation playoff, not that there is such a thing, and The Vauxhall Conference/Beezer Homes league for Hopeless Old Croquet Duffers will have to wait at least another year, before the RTWCC GC Team grace them with their presence!

The heart tends to sink when the opposing team tells you they comprise two ‘1s’, a ‘2’ and a ‘4’ when it comes to GC handicaps, but we ‘girded our loins’, slapped on the Factor 50 as if it were warpaint, and with a cry of ‘Once more unto the breach, Dear Friends’ entered the arena to thunderous applause from a non-existent crowd. Hats off to Ray for ensuring we can all still play this season, despite the lawns now having the feel of reinforced concrete! He’s a wonder…..

Faced with a tough opening doubles against an Ealing team comprised of two ‘1s’ , Michael Gentry and Trevor Houghton-Berry surprised themselves by posting a giant killing 7-3,7-6 win. Their reputation as the  ‘Ant and Dec’ of RTWCC match croquet – after three epic external match wins – is now assured….or should that be Morecambe and Wise, or even Burke and Hare?

The real heroes of the day were David Pratt  and Phil Taylor, who won their singles ties against higher-ranked players in both the morning and afternoon sessions, much to the collective chagrin of their opponents……‘When can their glory fade? Oh the wild charge they made!…All the world wondered’.