Blewbury Croquet Club (BCC) returned to its roots yesterday with a splendid fiesta organised and run by Deirdre Cochrane. Such a joy to play on the court lovingly maintained over 30 years by her husband Malcolm in the peaceful grounds of their family home. David Long put in the hard yards to herd 15 entries into three groups of five for the preliminary block rounds – four games, one sit-out per player.
Two blocks were played on half sized courts at Blewbury, with Robin Brown and Edmund Shirley claiming wins that put them in the semi finals after lunch. Robin’s matches were over so quickly, that his block finished all 5 rounds in the morning. Edmund achieved his win despite losing his final game to one-ball novice Philippa Turner: a testament to the ball-by-ball coaching he so sportingly gave her throughout his defeat. Meanwhile, back at home base, David Seed edged Deirdre into second place, but then nobly retired in the afternoon to allow the queen to build on a morning of pinpoint precision.


After drinks on the lawn – thank you, Candida, number two daughter from Australia – the meal was served with appropriate style in the dining room, by Deirdre with a little help from Avril. Coronation chicken, new potatoes, salad and focaccia, followed by roulade and accompanied by red or white wine, slipped down merrily.
Then it was time to regroup for the final shootouts. With four and a half bisques and infinite knowledge of home turf, Deirdre saw off the indomitable Robin in one semi final, with Brian taming Edmund in the other. After a tough contest with Brian, the queen claimed the crown – the Roger Cambray Memorial Shield – for the 7th time; 25 years on from her first such victory. Chris Cambray, non croquista but still resident in Blewbury, did the honours graciously and stayed to tea – currant scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, chocolate brownies – to round off a magical garden party from another age. Close your eyes for moment and you were back there in the 1990’s with BBC in embryo and the shades of champions past. Bravissima Deirdre on all fronts. I’m still reliving it today.

