IN competitive Golf Croquet games can be played in two ways. In Handicap play a player’s individual handicap is ‘weighed’ against their opponents and each player plays to achieve a target score; the winner is the first to reach their target. Players with high handicaps have lower targets and those with low handicaps have to win more hoops.

But Golf Croquet is also played in ‘Level’ play where handicaps are not used and the first player to run 7 hoops is the winner. This version is generally used on Club afternoons when players of widely differing handicap all just muck in together. Competitive Level play brings greater rewards for the winner and fewer penalties for the loser and, by playing and winning against stronger players, much can be learnt about tactics and stroke choice.

Camerton and Peasedown enter two teams in the Level Play 5+ League where only players with a handicap of 5 or greater are eligible.

The final match of the season for CPCC ‘A’ Level was home against Broadwas. Although there was rain forecast it never arrived and play was unaffected by the weather. In the morning games the singles matches were shared equally between the teams but CPCC claimed both of the doubles matches. At the lunch break CPCC were ahead by 5 games to 3.

After lunch the Camerton and Peasedown team were dominant, winning all but one of the singles matches and both doubles matches. The final result was a 12 – 4 win for CPCC.

This win by Camerton and Peasedown put the team joint top with Bath. They could not be separated either by the number of points won or by the number of games won in the matches against each other. However, when the total number of hoops scored was calculated, Bath just pipped CPCC to take the top spot.