McKibbin in fine form for Phyllis Court

PHYLLIS Court hosts a heat of the European Club Teams Competition for the first time this weekend, with the club’s Euro A and Euro C teams welcoming Zurich Croquet Club (Switzerland) and Real Club Pineda de Sevilla (Spain) to Henley for the first time.

A large spectator gallery is expected for this ground-breaking venture for Phyllis Court who sent their Euro B team to play in the Latvian heat of the same competition two weeks ago.

The Phyllis Court heat is one of 11 around Europe which will each provide their winner for the European final along with hosts Sussex County CC, from Southwick, near Brighton, in October.

The four competing teams will play each other in series of six team matches, consisting of two doubles and eight singles, over two days of non-stop action.

Elsewhere, Phyllis Court D thrashed Blewbury D 14-2 in the Advantage (handicap) League, with the returning Dee McKibbin and debutant Bob Clapp winning all four of their games, and captain Ruth Raunkiaer and Philip Rowley dropped just one game each.

At the neutral ground of Surbiton, the court conditions and hoop settings were below par for the visit of a Phyllis Court team playing Bromley in the national Federations Shield (Advantage) competition.

Only Patricia Mulcahy managed a win in the morning session, as Andy Jones and doubles pair Chris Roberts and Paul Franklin lost to trail 2-1 at lunch.

Roberts and Franklin won their afternoon singles but Jones and Mulcahy were well beaten by Adam and Karen Newbould respectively, which gave Bromley the 4-3 win, ending a disappointing day for the holders.