Nailsea and District Croquet Club (NDCC) recently hosted a Class Tournament, playing under Association Rules and in perfect weather as the summer sunshine starts to set in.

For the Class Tournament the players are placed in two separate groups, according to handicap, so that matches are between players of similar ability.

The lower handicap class competed for the Peter Dyke Ruby Shield, named to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Club by stalwart Peter Dyke.

There were five contenders, from Nailsea, Glamorgan, Sidmouth and Kenilworth. The conditions were challenging with the firmly set hoops requiring accurate and technically sound shots.

Home player Erica Malaiperuman had a great weekend winning all her matches in style and taking home the shield.

In the higher handicap class, the five entries were from Nailsea, Bristol and Newport in Essex.

Geoff Barrett, from Bristol, has only been playing croquet for a short time but he played well above the expected standard and won three of his four matches to claim the Michael Poole Cup, named in memory of another founder member of the club.

The only player to beat Geoff was newcomer to the sport Alex Lake from Newport, and it was good to see success for both Geoff and Alex.

In addition to the trophy, Barrett won the prize for the biggest upset in the tournament by beating Kathy Wallace, tournament manager, whose handicap was five points lower than his.

Elsewhere on the day Robert Upton, from Glamorgan, won the fastest game and also had the most peg-outs.

Wallace said: “The weather was perfect for this event and the club looked splendid.

"Club members always work hard on these occasions and provide a wonderful venue with excellent hospitality.”