ICKLESHAM CHRISTMAS GOLF 2011    14 hardy souls turned up at Hawkhurst golf club for the Icklesham Christmas Golf event on December 28th 2011.   5 teams therefore played the Texas Scramble format which involves the best drive by a team member being chosen and then all of the team playing their next shot from the position of that drive. The best next shot is then chosen and it continues until the hole is completed.   A rainy and cold start to the day was followed by a bright morning – just long enough to complete an enjoyable and competitive 9 hole competition. Peter Drew arrived wearing a Manchester United baseball cap and was lucky not to be penalised by the City supporting organiser.   Adam Forrest – making his debut in an Icklesham golf event – had to tee off in the first group and scuffed one but was saved by the fact that David Mayne and Hugh Sullivan also hit dodgy drives. Mick Beaumont, Gavin Moor and George Potter decided to ignore the local rules and play up the wrong fairway on the last hole. Despite protestations from those already in the clubhouse, they didn’t get a penalty but then they weren’t in the running to win.   Peter Drew, Tony Forster and Steve Beale were the winners with an impressive par for 9 holes. With handicap they ended on 4 under. Peter apparently gave advice to Tony about not taking a driver on a crucial hole which may have contributed to their success. Richard Forrest, Ollie Beaumont and Keith Swallow were a close second scoring a 3 over par 37 but – with handicap – ending on 3 under. Mick, Gavin and George also finished on 3 under. Mick Beaumont won the nearest the pin prize for his shot on the par three 6th.   Prizes were then given in the bar and a lively discussion about many topics (though mainly football and George and Peter’s fish rounds) followed. George and Peter also got mildly inebriated and did their own impersonation of Statler and Waldorf from the Muppets…..   A good day – don’t forget 2012 Icklesham golf dates: June 25th (75 holes in a day charity event), July 24th (5th Icklesham Open) and December 28th (Christmas Texas Scramble)

Christmas Raffle             The Christmas Raffle held at the Queen's Head on Saturday, 17th December raised the sum of £375 towards the 75th Anniversary charity fund raising target of £7500. This was a tremendous amount to raise and the Club would like to sincerely thank everyone who sold and bought tickets and who came along on the day for the raffle draw. The total raised for charity to date now stands at £1537.36. The winners of the main prizes in the draw were -   1st Prize - Family Christmas Hamper - Peter Drew (pictured below) 2nd Prize - Classic Wine Selection - Simon at the Queen's Head 3rd Prize - Wine & Chocolate Lovers Hamper - Chris Baker 4th Prize - Lady's Pamper Hamper - Vernon Deller!   It was really good to see Warwick Breeds at the draw. Warwick played 243 games for the Club between 1958 and 1972 before moving to Canada. For a number of those who were also at the draw and who played in the same era as Warwick it was the first time they had seen him for over 30 years.

 

JON FULLER MEMORIAL MATCH - 11th September 2011   This years Jon Fuller Memorial Match against Viking took place on Sunday, 11th September. In the Club’s 75th season it was fitting that the date coincided with that of the very first game against Rye Old Grammarians - 11th September 1937.   The first half was fairly even with chances at both ends and with the interval approaching Viking took the lead. The Casuals came back strongly in the second period and it was Sean Baker, having been moved up front, who equalised. Phil Badrock put Icklesham 2-1 ahead before Steve Baker made it 3-1, scoring directly from a free kick. In the closing minutes Sean Baker hammered in an unstoppable fourth goal to make the final score 4-1.   Steve Baker picked up the man of the match shield while Bob Baker, currently on 580 goals for the Club, decided to pass on the opportunity of getting closer to the 600 goal mark by missing a hatful of chances!   The Icklesham Casuals squad was - Leo Cresswell, Jon Fitton, David Mayne, Sean Baker, Joe xxx, Michael Beaumont, Vernon Deller, Tom Fuller, Phil Badrock, Steve Baker, Bob Baker, Tony Fuller, Steve Tytheleigh, Martin Tytherleigh, Neil Hastings and Conrad Giles.   The weather could have been better with torrential rain at times during the game but this didn’t dampen the support and it was good to see so many old faces. The day gives the opportunity to reminisce and to remember Jon and the fact that the numbers each year are growing says everything about the respect everyone had for Jon as a person and also the contribution he made to both Clubs.   The match raised the magnificent sum of £349.06, a record amount, for the Motor Neurone Disease Association which means over £1500 in total has been raised in the six games played to date. Thanks to all those who came along either to play or support, all those who help organise the day and to Icklesham Cricket Club for their co-operation in staging the game.   Following the football match, to kick-off the celebrations to mark the Club’s 75th season, a photograph was taken which included players from every decade of the Club’s history. The players involved have appeared in a combined total of 8505 games for the club up to the end of last season with Reg Carter, first team captain from 1941-42 to 1947-48, playing his first game on 15th October 1938, John Archer and Dick Crisford both making their first appearances in the 1940s, John Dunk and George Potter in the 1950s and Chris Ades in 1960.

FRIENDLY v ICKLESHAM CRICKET CLUB - 10th August 2011   A competitive and enjoyable bring friendly was played between Icklesham Casuals and Icklesham Cricket Club at the Recreation Ground on Wednesday 10th August.   Val Newman put the football club ahead with a header from a corner and Ben Rootes doubled the lead, firing home after Chris Baker's shot had been well saved. The cricket club pulled a goal back shortly before half-time through Andy Crouch and levelled the score early in the second half when Sean Baker converted from the penalty spot. Scott Butterfield restored the Casuals lead only for Simon Drew to bring the cricketers level once again.   With the score tied at 3-3, the game was decided by a penalty shoot-out with the footballers edging the game 4-3 on penalties when Alfie Weller converted the decisive spot-kick.   The following photo's are; Friendly v Icklesham Cricket Club - Icklesham Recreation Ground 10-08-2011 Kevin Earl takes a penalty for the Cricket Club in the penalty shoot-out. Martin Tytherleigh takes a penalty in the penalty shoot-out. Cricket Club players Andy Crouch & Mark Stunt take a rest. Adam Stunt presents Michael Beaumont with the trophy. *

Icklesham Fete August 2011   The casuals had 4 stands at the fete this year:   Welly throwing competition, Football shoot the target game, Keepy uppy competition, Tombola.   Between them all we raised a fantastic £142.83 which goes towards the upkeep of the memorial hall and pavillion.   Thanks to all those that helped and those that came along to support the fete.

4th ICKLESHAM OPEN – 28th July 2011   14 participants including two new boys – Hugh Sullivan and Peter Drew – assembled at Tenterden Golf Club for the 4th Icklesham Open on 28th July.   There was the normal negotiation about handicaps – leading to incredulity from some and a sly smile from others. Peter Drew tried to influence the organiser to up his handicap by listing a series of injuries – it appeared that no part of his body remained untouched from the ravages of time and/or from the attention of the medical profession.   The format of the tournament was an individual event and a “yellow ball” team competition   The sun came out just as the first group (Richard Forrest/Mark Stace and Chris Baker) teed off. Three further groups teed off though there was a bit of a delay as Bob Baker in the second group had lost his team’s yellow ball with a pushed drive – it was found though leaving an impossible shot.   Tenterden is a course that – though not long – demands accuracy. A problem for many of the players and an explanation of why so many were knackered when they finished their round.   One player who didn’t have a problem was Ollie “Bandit” Beaumont who had scored more points on his opening nine holes than a number of players scored on 18.   Chris Baker lost his team’s yellow ball on the 10th – a fact that he was reminded of by Richard and Mark for the remaining holes and in the clubhouse and led to him having to buy a round of drinks. George Potter lost his team’s ball on the 8th but explained it away by saying that it gave everyone one less thing to worry about!   And so to the results:   Individual 1st        Ollie Beaumont              36 points + longest drive and nearest pin on 18th 2nd        Tony Forster                 30 points 3rd         Peter Drew                   27 points 4th         Michael Beaumont         26 points 5th         Bob Baker                     25 points + best front 9 not in top 3 6th =      Steve Beale                  24 points 6th=       Keith Swallow               24 points + best back 9 not in top 3 6th=       Mark Stace                   24 points + best on holes 10-13 9th         Hugh Sullivan                22 points + nearest pin on 16 10th       George Potter                21 points 11th       David Mayne                  20 points 12th       Chris Baker                    19 points 13th       Richard Forrest              16 points 14th       Jo Beardsley                  3 points Wooden Spoon and shortest drive    Team 1st         Tony/Ollie/David            34 points 2nd        Mick/Bob/Hugh/Keith      26 points 3rd         Steve/Peter/George/Jo  10 points 4th         Richard/Chris/Mark        9 points

ICKLESHAM CASUALS v ICKLESHAM CRICKET CLUB   Icklesham Recreation Ground - Sunday 29th May 2011    Icklesham Cricket Club   230 for 9 dec. Icklesham Casuals   125 all out   After the unexpected victory for the football club of the previous year, normal service was resumed in the annual cricket match against Icklesham Cricket Club at the end of May. The weather was not as kind as in the past with overcast conditions and a very strong wind blowing but the rain stayed away therefore depriving the footballers of their main weapon in avoiding defeat. The Casuals team included Bill Beaumont and Martin Tytherleigh who had warmed up for the game by competing in the Bexhill Triathlon only a few hours earlier in the day.   As the 2 p.m. start approached, the football club had only 8 men - Martin Tytherleigh, probably needing an extra half-hour rest after the triathlon (not sure why as a large part of the event merely involves sitting on a bike for 20km), claimed he thought the game began at 2.30. Unfortunately, he had also informed Stuart Pearson and Steve Tytherleigh of the same start time. It was the cricket club who once again batted first and with Stuart and Steve having arrived, the footballers took the field with 10 players with Martin joining them an over later.   Adam Stunt and Ben Croucher gave the cricketers a solid start against the opening attack of Aaron Leech and Ollie Beaumont. Adam went on to make 21 with Ben contributing 11 before the Casuals struck back with four quick wickets. Hard hitting knocks from Dean Earl (56), Sean Baker (28) and Kevin Earl (25) took the cricket club to 172-9, a fairly respectable effort in the footballers eyes until a rapid last wicket stand of over fifty between the experienced pair of Wayne Carter (28 not out) and Stuart Baker (34 not out) took the game away from the football club with the cricketers declaring at tea on 230 for 9.   There was the very welcoming sight of drinks being brought out mid-way through the innings and it is at this point that the football club would like to apologise for and distance itself from Martin Tytherleigh’s complaint about the lack of biscuits!   The fielding was a mixture of the good, the bad and the ugly. Some decent catches taken, four of these by Bill Beaumont behind the stumps, several chances going down and a few misfields creeping in notably one by Neil Hastings who, clearly believing himself still to be playing in goal, let a ball go through his legs to the boundary!   The wickets were shared out amongst the bowlers with Nigel Sellman taking 3-42, Keith Swallow 2-12, Joe Beardsley 2-37, David Mayne 1-9 and Neil Hastings 1-24. Despite not taking a wicket, Stuart Pearson impressed with the ball in his first ever proper game of cricket.   In reply the footballers got off to a reasonable start reaching nearly fifty for the loss of only one wicket thanks to excellent knocks from opener Steve Tytherleigh (25) and Keith Swallow (23) with David Mayne chipping in with 12, but wickets then fell at regular intervals with only last man Martin Tytherleigh (12 not out) reaching double figures. Martin responded to the barrage of sixes in the cricket club innings with one of his own - not quite a superbly struck drive or pull over the ropes, but a risky two to mid-wicket followed by four overthrows.   Nigel Sellman was a very good captain but may need a quiet word in his ear after coming in at number ten and irresponsibly charging down the wicket second ball to Sean Baker and being bowled when victory was still a distinct possibility (well maybe not).   For the cricketers, Sean Baker finished with figures of 4-6, Tony Corke took 4-24, Stuart Baker 1-1 after capturing the final wicket of Aaron Leech and Kevin Earl 1-13.   The Casuals star man was all-rounder Keith Swallow, who in addition to his runs and wickets took a magnificent diving catch on the boundary. Keith’s performance was even more remarkable as, during the course of the fielding display, he managed to injure almost every part of his anatomy, apart obviously from his beer-drinking arm. At one point Keith pulled a muscle in his neck watching another six sail over his head into the field behind the far goal then tweaked a hamstring climbing over the stile to retrieve the ball. Still Keith can console himself in having such a set of understanding and sympathetic team mates (particularly Bill).   The Casuals team was - Nigel Sellman (captain), David Mayne, Steve Tytherleigh, Keith Swallow, Stuart Pearson, Ollie Beaumont, Joe Beardsley, Neil Hastings, Bill Beaumont, Aaron Leech and Martin Tytherleigh.   The football club would like to thank the cricket club for another really enjoyable afternoon and Mags and her helpers for the lovely tea. Thanks also to Keith for organising the team, Nigel for captaining the side and to everyone who took part.

Quiz Evening - 26th March 2011   Many thanks to everyone who came along to the Memorial Hall on Saturday 26th March to support the quiz which raised £277 for club funds. The club would especially like to thank Stuart and Stacey for all their hard work in organising what was a fun and enjoyable evening.