We may not have won it (we rarely do these days) but the club is celebrating a magnificent Millennium Cup day – and another bumper contribution to our official charity, St Peter & St James Hospice.

The Chailey charity was the true winner, as players, helpers and spectators alike gave generously to the raffles, spider competition, and bucket collections on a day when – for a change – the sun (occasionally) shone on proceedings.

A total of just over £1,000 was raised, eclipsing the £700 raised at last year’s event - a year in which the grand total that we handed over at our presentation tea was £1,000.

This year’s final sum, which will be revealed at the presentation event next month, will clearly eclipse that, even after taking account of club donations to other charities and worthy causes.

On the green, the cup was one by West Hoathly, who repeated their success of their debut year last summer.

Burgess Hill were second and we pipped St Francis to third place, thanks largely to a fine performance from our men’s teams, who secured 10 of our total of 14 points.

West Hoathly, who replaced Lindfield as the fourth team in the annual fundraiser last year, won both the men’s and ladies’ competitions, while Haywards Heath came second in the men’s – but last in the ladies’.

Winning captain, the aptly named Chris Champion, admitted: “We feel like the pantomime villains because we’ve only been in it two years and won it both times. Hopefully, we’ll be invited back next year.”

Haywards Heath captain Graham Brown paid tribute to both Marley Brooks, of council contractor Glendale, who has done such a fine job with the green in his first year in charge of its maintenance – and cut the grass before the first competitors arrived - and the club’s principal sponsor, P&S Gallagher, which funded the day – including the cost of feeding 72 players and a host of enthusiastic volunteers.

Below are the final results, including details of the men’s and ladies’ events, together with a breakdown of our club’s performances against each opponent.

Millennium Cup

1st West Hoathly – 29 points (total shots: 182-96)
2nd Burgess Hill – 18 points (142-122)
3rd Haywards Heath & Beech Hurst – 14 points (138-149)
4th St Francis – 11 points (93-188)

Men’s competitions
1st West Hoathly – 15 points (98-46)
2nd Haywards Heath & Beech Hurst – 10 points (79-67)
3rd Burgess Hill - 7 points (72-79)
4th St Francis – 4 points (46-103)

Ladies’ competitions
1st West Hoathly – 14 points (84-50)
2nd – Burgess Hill – 11 points (70-43)
3rd – St Francis – 7 points (47-85)
4th – Haywards Heath & Beech Hurst – 4 points (59-82)

How did we do?

Haywards Heath & Beech Hurst individual results

Men
v Burgess Hill – 24-23
Pairs – 12-3
Triples – 7-7
Fours – 5-13

v West Hoathly – 21-33
Pairs – 6-11
Triples – 9-9
Fours – 6-13

v St Francis – 34-11
Pairs – 17-0
Triples – 8-5
Fours – 9-6

Ladies
v Burgess Hill – 12-28
Pairs – 5-8
Triples – 2-12
Fours – 5-8

v West Hoathly – 23-31
Pairs – 8-5
Triples – 7-12
Fours – 8-14

v St Francis – 24-23
Pairs – 6-11
Triples – 5-9
Fours – 13-3

Men’s pairs: Mark Gooch and Tony Jarvis
Men’s triples: Bill Mann, Mark Howell and John Box
Men’s fours: Graham Aldis, Peter Huntley, Tony Ashby and Basil Larkins

Ladies’ pairs: Dorothy Glasby and Nicola Coles
Ladies’ triples: Jill Hatfield, Doreen Penfold and Linda Huntley
Ladies’ fours: Fiona Burman, Gwen Croft, Marge Breading and Anne Bosman

Millennium Cup 2025 picture gallery