Nailsea and District Croquet Club beat Budleigh Salterton to progress through to the league final in an attempt to defend last year's crown.

It was helped by commendable performances from Wallace, Baddeley and Roynon, who aced all four of his games to clinch the title of Man of the Match.

The 12-4 score line barely reflected the hard-fought nature of the match, where many games were won by just a single hoop.

Nailsea, hoping to defend the title that they won last year, will now meet local rivals Bristol in the final in September.

First up last week, the team, composed of Andrew Wimshurst, Kathy Wallace, Brian Roynon and Roger Baddeley, had visited an Exeter side, located in the picturesque Pinces Gardens.

Even though the lawns weren't of standard size, the visitors coped well with the challenge, each winning three of their four matches.

One noteworthy anecdote saw an exciting Golden Hoop finish between Sandra Paterson—formerly taught croquet at NDCC and now residing in Exeter—and Kathy Wallace.

With lunch pushed back by 15 minutes, Wallace eventually triumphed.

Next, NDCC’s Nailsea North Golf Croquet Team B had their sight set on Bristol Croquet Club.

Both having swept their previous matches, this encounter would crown the division winner.

The windy day witnessed an initial advantage for Bristol, leading 3-1 after two doubles rounds.

By lunch, the score was a close 4 ½ to 3 ½.

Fuelled by their eagerness to enhance their stance, both teams rolled into the last four singles games, with Nailsea leading 9-7.

Bristol managed to win three games, culminating in a drawn final score.

Since the division winner was determined based on the number of games won in all matches and Bristol held a one-game lead into the day, they were crowned the division winners.