THE MAGGIE COWMAN CUP FESTIVAL OF CROQUET
By Andrea Widdison
Ripon Spa Croquet Club in North Yorkshire hosted the Maggie Cowman compe77on on September 8th and 9th. Maggie Cowman was an amazing sportsperson having represented England at cricket in her youth. A'er a chronic condi7on stopped her playing sport, she received a double lung transplant at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle. In spite of this she then became an accomplished croquet player represen7ng both Ripon Spa club in matches and England at the Women’s World Championships. Maggie passed away in 2022 and Ripon Spa club thought it fi9ng to host an annual event in her honour and also to raise funds for the Freeman’s sports teams.
Roger I’Anson wins the Progressive Doubles
Sarah Clements receives her medal from Ted Flexman
Sheila Hornsey, winner of the Progressive Doubles
Jane Pringle, winner of the Maggie Cowman Cup
The two day event started with a fun Progressive Doubles with 20 compe7tors. The compe77on was won by Roger I’Anson (Ripon Spa) and Sheila Hornsey (The Dales). A fi9ng result as Sheila was a cricketer friend of Maggie’s and Maggie had introduced her to croquet. Day one ended with a Sausage Sizzle. Day two was of a more serious nature. A fiercely contested Open Singles compe77on for the Maggie Cowman Cup, which included 3 of the country’s top women players, was eventually won by Jane Pringle (Auckland). The silver medallist was Sarah Clements (Chester). Other medals were awarded to Jane Bailey the Shield winner, Michael Franklin the Plate winner and Robert Mumford the Saucer winner.
The day ended with a vote of thanks given by club chairman and organiser Ted Flexman who announced that £585 had been raised this year in Maggie’s honour. In total Ripon Spa Croquet Club have raised over £1920 over the four years of this compe77on. A delicious a'ernoon tea of cakes and strawberries and cream followed.
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