A misty cloak shadowed the hallowed lawn.
Moths, attracted by lights, provided a grisly meal to wheeling bats. A shriek broke the silence, red kites roosting in the giant oaks.
Shadowy figures glided the lawn, carrying giant battle-axes? The spirits of Alfred the Great’s housecarls fleeing before the Danes? Roman legionaires on their way to Silchester, avoiding the marshy Thames?
Emmbrook Thursday Murder Club searching for clues with metal detectors?
No, it was the Emmbrook Croquet Club practising hard to claim bragging rights at the Annual Emmbrook Croquet Championships.
The Emmbrook Croquet rules are unique, devised by Norman the all-Conquering croquet player as he wrote the Doomsday Book.
Both finals were set for 28 August with Pimms, strawberries and cream and trophies awaited the winners and watching thousands.
The usual suspects had battled through. In the singles Mary, Queen of the North, had hammered Norman the all-conquering rule maker, then demolished Derek on his trusty steed, despite the steed kicking the Queen’s
ball. Speedy Lyn, no relation to Christie, but much faster in a sprint for the Pimms, had lost out to Peter the Great, one shot ahead.
The singles final was a tense affair, the safe money on Peter, Mary had practised her opening shot and had the confidence of a winning woman. Before the sleeping crowd had woken up she was two hoops ahead and despite a late rally by Peter, Mary won easily.
The doubles final, a battle of the sexes, old guard against young bloods, two old pros against two newbies. Norman and Peter past champions, Mary and Lyn current champs. Jostling at the opening hoops, balls flying off the court, “foul”, “red card him” roared the crowd. Derek still on his trusty steed, and now umpire, ignored the crowd, consulted the “rules”, “no foul” play continued. Norman and Lyn pegged out, Mary and Peter still at the last hoop. Peter, with a long shot to peg out, laid up close to the peg a “gimmee”. Mary’s ball was even further away, the crowd fell silent, tension rose, careful aim, beautiful swing, sweet contact, perfect follow through, the ball rocketed across the grass striking the peg, the crowd erupted, wine into the air, walking sticks followed, the shot of the century, of all time! Mary and Lyn had won the greatest doubles final.
Barbara, Emmbrook’s resident maestro presented the trophies, Elaine took the photos, the sun shone, Pimms aided the chat and a good time was had by all.
Peter Wright, Emmbrook Court
