SWINDON Croquet Club opened its new season in style with a charity one-ball competition in conjunction with Kington Langley Croquet Club, in aid of Prostate Cancer Research.

After several close games, Bill Marner from Swindon and Gill Wheeler from Kington Langley met in the final, which Wheeler won. She will now go on to the Southern Area final in Winchester.

The following week saw a short croquet tournament at the club's lawns in Moredon. Eleven players took part, ranging from experienced county players to complete beginners. Again, Marner proved the most successful player and received a shield.

RESULTS: Bill Marner won four games; John Small, Tony Mayer and Garry Douell won three games; Neil Morrison, John Airey, Mary Bedells, Terry Walton and Christine Angood won two games; Diana Trott and Roger Bedells won one game.