CAMERTON and and Peasedown Croquet Club enter teams in all the leagues within the annual competitions run by the South-West Federation of Croquet Clubs but, to date, although they have regularly topped their regional groups, they have only ever achieved a quarter-final or semi-final place in the knock-out rounds.

So, it is a notable achievement that, in a nail-biting match against Cardiff CC, Marion Button’s ‘A’ team won their recent semi-final; thereby booking a place in the final of the Golf Croquet Handicap League.

It was an early start for the journey to South Wales but once there the team of Marion Button, Jill Shaw, Ann Munton, Patrick Knight, Simon Munton and Phil Hendy performed really well to come away with a win by 11 games to 9.

It went down to the wire and could so easily have been a 10 games all draw but for a brilliant ‘all- or- nothing shot’ from Jill Shaw which clinched the final game and also the win for the match overall.

The final will be played later this mnth against Bude CC on the neutral lawns at Budleigh Salterton CC. Whatever the result of that match turns out to be this is a great achievement for Marion’s team from Camerton and Peasedown CC.

Because of the handicapping system and the grading of the South West Federation Leagues croquet can be played competitively at many different levels. Match play is not just for the stronger players; it can be enjoyed at whatever level you play and, although it is nice to win, it is not always the score that counts.

Lasting friendships and shared memories are made when you play in a team; and it’s a very good way to test your improving skills if you are a beginner.