Sirmoor Croquet 2026

Part 1: Meeting on 16th July

On the morning after England’s Semi-final defeat in the World Cup an illustrious gathering of Sirmoorees met at Hurlingham to enjoy some fun on the croquet courts. Sadly, Peter and Annie could not be with us, but Bruce made the long journey from Bristol, John Swanston, Christopher and Griselda from a little closer and Mark, Sophie and Jon Aslett from just around the corner!

After a jolly lunch on the Terrace we occupied the ‘Sirmoor Tent’ on Court 6, with welcome shade from a bright sky and 30 degrees. Jon at 95 set his ball on a perfect line to the first hoop – and otherwise held court in the shade – a wise decision. We played three rounds of Golf Croquet (one doubles and one singles) and suitably the last Round ended in both games being decided by the ‘Golden Hoop’ (when the game is drawn at 6 hoops each).

The Golden Mallet Award. The Player of the Tournament was yet again Sophie – who ran Hoop 6 and 8 from 5 yards, and later on ran Hoop 1 and straight through Hoop 2 with one stroke! A feat that emulated her performance last year.

Tea and scones in the ‘Sirmoor Tent’ was very kindly provided by Sophie and her husband Alistair was the perfect finale to a most enjoyable day – with some enjoyable ‘swinging of the lantern’ from (much) earlier days! We could have gone on chatting for hours!

The ‘Sirmoor’ Tent

Jon ‘on strike’!

The Doc in fine form

Bruce points the way

Enjoying the running of a hoop!

Tales of yore over tea and scones !

For the record:

Round 1
Mark 7 / Bruce 4
John and Christopher 7 / Sophie and Griselda 5

Round 2
Mark and Sophie 7 / Bruce and Griselda 2
Christopher and John had a joyful game.

Round 3

John and Sophie edged out Griselda and Bruce on the Golden Hopp.
Christopher edged out Mark on the Golden Hoop

Part 2: Meeting on 20th August.

Peter and Annie returned to the hallowed courts of Hurlingham for our second outing of the Summer on 20^th August. David Santa Ollala replaced Bruce, otherwise it was the same ‘happy band’ that had so graced the courts a month earlier. Heavy downpours as we assembled on the Terrace made us think we might be in for a long lunch and not much croquet, but someone had done their Puja that morning and bang on time the skies cleared and we took to the courts!

Jon got the ball rolling again before setting up his stall in the Umpires Tent. With an even and well-watered lawn the court played well and while Sophie did not repeat her July heroics, there was some skilled and competitive play around the hoops.

Two hours later the sun was vanquished and an increasing wind and a few drops of rain gave notice of a further downpour. We packed up our mallets and balls with stylish urgency, and managed to gain the shelter of the Conservatory before the deluge – wherein we took tea and scones.

For the record (Golf Croquet):

Round 1:

David and Sophie triumphed over Peter and Annie 7-4

Christopher and the Doctor edged Mark and Griselda 7-3

Round 2:

Peter and Christopher prevailed over Mark and David 7-2

The Umpire decided that Sophie and the Doctor’s game with Griselda and Annie should be drawn at 5-5 as the first drops of rain descended and the wind increased!