Croquet 2023
Liskeard Warwick Adam Winners
Croquet Hoop
Croquet Best Attender Effort Brett Crabtree Delabole
Runners Up Croquet St Austell Biff And Mrs Griffin
Post pandemic, and the hotly contested Bodmin and Delabole Croquet Trophy was once more up for grabs.
The weather of light mizzle didn’t stop the matches, organised in 2023 by Biff Griffin of St. Austell Branch. There were 5 Cornish RNA branches vying for the trophy which has been won – several times over – by Liskeard Branch.
The event was first run in 1985 at Altarnun by Delabole's first President Captain Mike Howett and held between Delabole and Bodmin branches, where Bodmin Branch won. The event was carried on by Delabole’s second president Admiral Alec Weir CB from his home at St Kew for many years.
Following Admiral Alec crossing the bar the event has been held at Pencarrow House, and now Cornwall Croquet Club at Porthpean. Now hosted by St Austell branch
Other Branches have joined including Camborne and Redruth, Liskeard, and St. Austell this year. This year the runners up were St. Austell, with Liskeard holding on to their title.
It was a hotly contested semi-final and final with one hoop lasting over 45 minutes!.
Editor:- I have taken to opportunity to add, a report from Event organiser Shipm,ate Bill Griffin of St Austell branch below.
Cornwall Royal Naval Association Croquet Competition. Played at Cornwall Croquet Lawns, Porthpean. On Sunday August 13th. We had twelve teams enter from as far south as Redruth & Camborne and as far north as Delabole. We were very lucky as we had the use of three lawns, meaning three games could take place at the same time.
We were also introduced to Croquet Golf, which is a much simpler quicker game. A lot more easier to referee as well. This year’s winners were Warwick Belfitt & Adam Strutt, Liskeard, who retained the trophy, having won it the last time the competition was held. Runners up, new boys, Biff & Pam Griffin, St Austell.
A third trophy, the Alex Weir Cup, which was bought to replace the winner’s trophy but that has since turned up, was presented to Brett Crabtree, for showing, Attitude, Endeavour and Enthusiasm, in a true naval spirit. Brett's partner went sick, so Brett caught a train to St Austell, then with the aid of a goggle map on his phone, walked to the Croquet centre.
Keep those Mallets swinging as we have provisionally booked next year’s event.