A day when we did ourselves proud

So close! May 29 2026 proved to be a day to remember for the club as we performed above all expectations in three prestigious matches, winning one and going oh so close in the others.

After Ladies’ champion Linda pulled off a superb victory in the Mid Sussex Champion of Champions competition and Men’s champ Mark Gooch staged a stunning comeback that had his experienced opponent rattled in his, Tony Jarvis’s squad fell to defeat in the Sussex County Senior Fours with the very last wood of a compelling contest.

For a relatively inexperienced squad of players, it was an admirable achievement, drawing praise from our opponents and earning invaluable competition experience for all involved.

Linda was always ahead against Caren Stoffberg, from Southgate Park but once she got into her rhythm, she pulled away to clinch a 21-15 victory and a second-round home match.

Mark was on the verge of a very early exit as he trailed Paul Leare, of Pope’s Mead, 8-20 after 13 ends, but just as he was on the verge of defeat, he suddenly found his form, winning the next four ends before Leare finally clinched the match – to his visible relief – 21-14.

Mark’s efforts drew praise from his opponent, who commended him for his tenacity. He said: “He could have given up but he didn’t.”

Another comeback

Mark, who won our Men’s Championship at the first attempt last year, was back in action in the evening as part of Tony’s senior fours against Burgess Hill.

After a bright start, in which we went 9-3 up, we fell away in the middle section and were 10-15 behind with four ends to play.

But much like Mark in his singles contest, we plugged away and were only one point behind as the final end began.

After excellent bowling by all four – Tony, Mark, John Box and Neville – we were holding the two we needed for a dramatic victory as Burgess Hill captain Chris Wilkins bowled his final wood.

But his despondency turned to euphoria as he knocked out both to hold the shot and take the match 16-14.

All three matches were well supported by club members – particularly the evening contest – for which the club is grateful.

Gallery: Click here for more photos from the three matches

Details of all external team competition fixtures and results can be found on our Fixtures and Results sub-menu - External Competitions.