CROQUET

How well do you know the rules of croquet? You know it is summer at Hurlingham when you see groups of young, or some not so young, players enjoying this fantastic game on Lawns 5 and 6. I suspect most of them will be playing some form of Garden Croquet according to their own ‘house’ rules picked up over the years, and often developed to take account of local playing conditions – in my case, it was my father’s prized herbaceous borders. The game will often be accompanied by a refreshing jug of Pimm’s, or maybe it is the other way around and croquet is the subsidiary partner in this relationship. The beauty of the game is that you can play with only a passing knowledge of the official rules and still call it croquet.

In fact, croquet probably has the most rules of any sport, with the official rule book running to 72 pages. The rules cover a number of different forms of croquet including Garden Croquet – all requiring slightly different playing tactics.

If you would like to find out more about the game, why not come along to one of the regular Thursday evening sessions held from May throughout the summer? Alternatively, put a note in your diary to watch some world class croquet in early September, when Hurlingham will be hosting the President’s Cup, which is an invitation event for the top eight Association Croquet players.

RICHARD ANDREWS, CHAIR, CROQUET

BOWLS

Roll Up and Bowl Up!

‘Spring is Sprung’ they say, but you could be excused for wondering exactly when that would be. However, intrepid bowlers have emerged from hibernation and have got into the swing (or should it be the roll?) of aiming those woods at the Jack once more.

The greens are looking immaculate, thanks to our amazing Grounds staff, and we also have something new to celebrate – 12 smart new scoreboards with dark blue covers, all marked with the Hurlingham logo. Simon Coan worked hard last autumn to acquire these for the Club and our thanks are due to him for his efforts.

We want to ensure that these new scoreboards are treated with the respect that they deserve, so can we please ask all players to observe two rules. First, to reset the scores at zero at the end of your game and, secondly, to put the covers back on, thereby sheltering the scoreboards from rain and sun, as well as making the greens look very smart.

With the season now in full swing, it’s time for us all to put our names down for friendly matches against other clubs, which started in May and will finish on Saturday 14 September. Do please find the list pinned up in the Bowls Locker Room, get out your diaries and enter as many matches as you can play in – the more the merrier.

Those of us who have applied to play in the Club competitions will soon know how the draws have worked out, so good luck to one and all in these fiercely contested games.

And for those wanting a smidgeon of help, please come along to Green 2 either on Monday mornings at 10.15am or Wednesday evenings at 7pm for some very relaxed bowling. Whites not required but flat shoes are essential – most of us wear tennis shoes. This is in addition to our regular roll-ups on Green 1 on Thursdays at 10.15 am and Sundays at 2.15pm for more experienced bowlers, when whites are required.

MICHAEL WRIGHT, BOWLS COMMITTEE