Ashby Croquet Club’s annual Charity One-Ball competition is on Friday 3rd May at Moira, with an 11.00am start, and as usual we’ll be playing Mike’s One-Ball Plus version, as per the rules below. The competition will be played on the two small marked courts that make up Lawn 2 (available now for those who wish to practise; the normal Lawn 2 hoops go in the half court nearer to the main shelter, and the cross-carrot hoops situated below the mallet rack go in the half court on the far end of Lawn 2.)
One Ball (Plus) Croquet is a simplified form of Association Croquet. The basic shots – which are essentially golf croquet shots and croquet take-off strokes – are fairly simple, but instructions and coaching can be provided before the day for first-timers who would like to play. If you have any specific queries regarding the rules – ask Mike! Please make sure you familiarise yourself with the rules BEFORE the day, so that the event runs smoothly on the day.
As well as competing for the Gnome trophy (currently held by Mike), this is also our heat of the national charity One-Ball croquet competition, which this year is in aid of the British Heart Foundation.
Players are encouraged to wear something RED for the competition if possible, as this is the BHF’s colour.
Entry fee: A suggested donation of £10 per player, in cash on the day if possible please, to allow the charity to claim Gift Aid where applicable. (I’ll bring some forms along on the day.) The donations collected on the day will be added to the £232 we have already raised for the BHF at the Christmas meal, and sent to the charity as one payment.
Provisional format: Five rounds (depending on number of entries) with a rolling one-hour time limit and a break for lunch. Bring your own lunch and drinks. Finish approx. 5.30pm.
With the money we have already raised, we are guaranteed at least 3 free places in the Charity One Ball national final (played to the usual One-Ball rules rather than One Ball Plus) at Nottingham Croquet Club on Saturday 11th May (the same day as the Coors Cup/Bass Shield at Moira) for the three highest-placed players who wish to play in the final.
If you would like to play in our club competition on Friday 3rd May, please let Richard know by the end of April so he can work out a suitable format.
Entries so far (18/04/24): Richard, Arthur, Mike
Rules of One Ball Plus (Apr 2022 version, still current April 2024)
The object of the game is to run hoops one to six or one to twelve and peg out before the opponent, thus winning the game.
The player with the higher handicap decides who plays first.
If the handicaps are the same, the winner of a coin toss decides who plays first.
At the start of the game the balls are played into the lawn from either of the two baulk lines.
A roquet and croquet stroke has to be played before each point can be scored. The hoop or peg is then termed “live” and can be scored in the current or subsequent turns without a further roquet.
A clip of the same colour as the ball is placed on the hoop or peg to indicate which is the next to be scored followed by another clip of the same colour when it becomes live.
One of the players, as defined below, has a maximum of three turns to make a roquet or score a hoop point (if the hoop is live) before an optional extra turn is conceded to the opponent.
The extra turn can only be used to make a roquet in the recipient’s next turn and if the roquet attempt fails the conceder can, before their turn starts, request the ball is replaced from where it was played. (The extra turn is not a half or full bisque and Association bisque rules do not apply.)
The player with the maximum of three turns to make a roquet or score a hoop point is:
Initially, the player who plays first at the start of the game.
The player who is in the lead after a hoop point has been scored.
The player who has scored a hoop point to draw level.
The three turns are reset and start from one again after either player:
Scores a hoop point. Ownership of the three turns is then reassessed.
Makes a roquet and the turn ends without scoring a hoop point .
Ownership of the three turns then remains with the same player.
(Also applies if the recipient of an extra turn fails to make a roquet.)
A continuation stroke after scoring a hoop point is the first of three turns.
Playing first at the start of the game and a continuation stroke after a croquet stroke are not the first of three turns. (A roquet cannot be made in either of these circumstances.)
The player shall inform the opponent as to which of the three turns is about to be played.
All other rules of Association Croquet apply to this game.