Sussex County beat Bristol 4-3

[<<] [>>] by Gabrielle Higgins at High Wycombe
17th July (AC - Inter-Club)

Sussex County secured another tight win, this time over Bristol, in the AC Inter-Club Championship to earn a place in the semi-finals for only the third time this century, and the first time since 2008.

The match went to the wire. With the game scores standing at 3-2 to Southwick, Bristol's David Goacher embarked on a triple peel against Southwick's Dom Nunns, always looking under control. Meanwhile on the adjacent lawn, the innings was exchanging hands multiple times between Southwick's Paul Castell and Bristol's Dom Aarvold. As David was lining up his short range peg out, Paul clattered into partner while trying to get his own rush to the peg. Moments after David levelled the match at 3-3, Paul played his 5 yard peg out … and missed. But Dom narrowly missed his hit in, and Paul clinched the fourth point for Sussex.

Congratulations to the Sussex team of Dom Nunns, Gabrielle Higgins, Tudor Jenkins and Paul Castell. Commiserations to the Bristol team of David Goacher, Dave Kibble, Dom Aarvold and especially Richard M Smith who didn't take croquet all day. And huge thanks to High Wycombe Croquet Club for sacrificing a weekly roll-up session to host us, offering lawns that were a delight to play on, exemplary hospitality, and perfect weather to boot.

Match results:

Dominic Nunns & Gabrielle Higgins beat David Goacher & Richard M Smith +26

Tudor Jenkins beat Dominic Aarvold + 13

Paul Castell lost to Dave Kibble -26tp

Dominic Nunns lost to David Goacher -16tp

Gabrielle Higgins beat Richard M Smith +26tp

Tudor Jenkins lost to Dave Kibble -25tp

Paul Castell beat Dominic Aarvold +14