Is Mallet Sharing Hygienic? Oxford Swamped!

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Oxford students being coached by Ian Plummer at the University Lawns (Photo: Harry Fisher)

With its Trinity (summer) term starting, the Oxford University Croquet Club embarked on its annual recruitment campaign at the end of April. The club offers free coaching to all-comers twice a week at its courts in the University Parks for the first half of term. Here students hope to pick up tips and techniques to propel their college teams through the much hyped "Croquet Cuppers" (intercollegiate) competition.

At the first coaching session the lawns were mobbed by around 120 eager students. Equipment shortages led to mallet sharing and balls were scarce too. Dr Ian Plummer orchestrated the coaching.

The main Oxford team started its season with a delightful pre-term friendly against the Surbiton Croquet Club. This was marked by fast lawns, excellent food, great hospitality, and free beer! The teams reached a satisfactory draw.

Cuppers continues to attract many novice players to the sport. This year 484 teams of four have entered (1936 players!) with one college entering 40 teams! Cuppers is played to Association Croquet Laws with dispensation for the size, shape and obstacles on the college croquet lawns. How do you place a ball a mallet head's length in from the drain cover? Those interested in the progress of the various colleges can see the draw at www.oxfordcroquet.com/oucc/

The Oxford club benefits from its experienced players including Harry Fisher, the current President, who played at the World Championships last year and a kernel of experienced committee members.