Our foreign correspondent, Scott Wilson, filed this report from Tasmania, where he recently played at St Helens Croquet Club.

St Helens Croquet Club has four lawns. One was halved, to make two lawns in one. Some of the older players preferred this. The main lawn surface was quite spongy which slowed the ball significantly on the longer shots. The hoops I played were loose  and too deep. Loose to the point they would move for most hoop shots and one “stuck in the jaws shot” was ruled through because the hoop, not the ball, moved. Hoops were easy to run.

The club has 40 members, mainly locals. Once a year they would invite other Tassie clubs for a get together but other than this the distances (and I suggest road quality) prevented any inter-club. No handicaps or referees, level play, mainly GC, and a version of Ricochet they call Aussie croquet, no mention of Association.

Club members were very convivial and most welcoming. Lawn banter was rife. Always lots to talk about especially to me being a visitor and kiwi. No problem to talk while other players had their shots. Most enjoyable and fun, was invited back, would love to play with them again.

Article added: Tuesday 17 January 2023