Mallet-fight at the OK Croquet Club

Anyone who says that Croquet lacks excitement (a) does not understand Croquet and (b) should
have been at High Wycombe for the annual friendly with Ealing  on Tuesday. This fixture commemorates Ealing's kind hospitality when HWCC  were between homes some years ago. The trophy is The Lloyd Pratt Mallett, which once belonged to an infamous (no, really) player who actually had no connection with either Ealing or High Wycombe. Such are traditions!

At lunchtime, High Wycombe were 3-1 up with good prospects for taking back the mallet after two years. But by mid afternoon things had changed, Ealing were in the lead, and any chance of a draw depended on the last match.  Which Mark Higgins and Nigel Moore duly won in the third game of three against Ealing's A&B players.

So, on to a shootout at the peg from the East boundary to decide the winner of the day.  Each team's eight players took their turn, after which the score was still level at 2-2.  Round 2: each captain has chosen their best four players...High Wycombe goes first...a hit!  All the pressure is now on Ealing to get a hit: no...no...no...NO!!  High Wycombe win the match and have the indescribable pleasure of hosting the Lloyd-Pratt Mallet for the year.

Some people say, "It's not the taking part, it's the winning". (Think about that).  But although it was nice to win, it was a great day to take part.  Ealing have written to thank us for our hospitality, led by Alan Clark who provided a superb buffet lunch and reinforced by Mark Higgins who turned up very early to set up.

Chris Webbley