With mallets raised and eyes fixed on the next hoop, members of the Kleinfontein Croquet Club transformed a quiet stretch of lawn into a battlefield of precision, patience and tactical brilliance.

In pairs, players carefully lined up their shots, striking brightly coloured plastic balls across the trimmed grass with measured force.

Each turn demanded strategy – not only to guide their own ball cleanly through the next hoop, but also to block opponents, knock rivals off course and position teammates for advantage.

What may appear gentle at first glance quickly reveals itself as a fiercely competitive contest of skill and nerve.

“We started the club in Benoni in 2010. We then moved to Kempton Park and came back to Benoni in 2019. This is a social club. We are here to socialise,” said chairperson Terry Oshworth.

He described Croquet as a lawn sport played on grass, where players use wooden mallets to hit balls through a series of metal hoops (also called wickets) arranged in a specific pattern. The objective is to complete the course in the correct order before the opposing side.

How it’s played

According to Oshworth, it can be played in singles or doubles, with each player assigned a coloured ball. In doubles, partners alternate turns.

Players aim to hit their ball through the next hoop in the designated sequence, use positioning to set up future shots and strike opponents’ balls to disrupt their progress or gain a tactical advantage.

Oshworth invited anyone interested in the sport to join them every Wednesday and Sunday afternoon at Kleinfontein Bowling Club at 4 Woodpecker Street in Mackenzie Park.

“We are looking for members. It’s such a lovely game. We play on Wednesdays and Sundays. We would like to impress on people that it’s a family game. It’s for young people, too. Other clubs have young people who have won national championships,” said Oshworth.

He said they are part of the Gauteng Croquet Association and take part in interclub competitions and national championships.

Youngster Michael Visser encouraged young people to try the sport.

“I never knew of the sport, but didn’t know we had a club in the area. It’s not boring. You wouldn’t know it until you try it. It’s actually interesting,” he said.

For more information, contact the deputy chairperson, Vivienne Ridyard, on 073 147 5505.

Also Read: Croquet club has a new home

Also Read: Croquet players rolled off the green