Updated: 2026-05-08

Competition rules and guidelines

1. Depending on the number of entries, we may have one or two leagues. If there are 2 leagues the winner of each league will play a final match to decide the competition winner.
2. Everybody plays everybody else in their league once. Each match will be the best of 3 games. Everybody gets 100 points each to start, then 10 points for winning a match, -10 points for losing a match, 0 for a draw. If time is running out the following options should be considered and agreed by both players:
   1. If your lawn or another is free, you may continue match to its conclusion.
   2. The third game, if required may be shortened by prior mutual agreement to first to 4 hoops, otherwise it will be the standard first to 7 hoops.
   3. The third game, if required can be rescheduled to a later date, but should be completed within 14 days of original fixture.
   4. As a last resort, if the third game cannot be played the result shall be a draw with each player receiving 0 points.
3. This is a handicap league and your SCA handicap card should be filled in after play. Each player should tell their opponent their current handicap and calculate how many bisques the higher handicapped player will get. As we are playing 13 point games the number of bisques awarded to the weaker player is simply the difference in handicap between the two players. E.g., if one player has a 5 handicap and the other player has a 9 handicap, the weaker players will receive (9-5) = 4 bisques.
4. Full results of each game, (e.g. 7-4, 3-7, 7-6) shall be sent to the club captain with a post on the main WhatsApp group.
5. If a player fails to turn up within 10 minutes of the agreed start time, that player will forfeit the game with the score of 7-3,7-3 to the opposing player. If the opposing player decides that they wish to reschedule the match instead they can, but there is no pressure on them to do so.
6. Games which had been arranged can only be cancelled by either party informing the opponent by the day before by posting in the main WhatsApp group. If cancelled after this time the person cancelling the game will be penalised (7-3,7-3) unless the opposing player wishes to reschedule the match, but there is no pressure on them to do so.
7. Any player that is unable to complete any of the matches will forfeit with a score of 7-3, 7-3 to the opposition
8. The competition will be decided by the following:
   1. Points, then if equal
   2. Nett hoop points (HD – Hoop Difference), then if equal
   3. Play a 3-game final to decide who wins!
   4. If there are 2 leagues the winners of each league will meet in the final.

9. If two leagues, they will conclude by the end of September and club captain will coordinate with both league winners to schedule the final.

10. The competition will conclude before the end of the season and the prize giving will be at the Christmas party
11. The club captain will have final say on all rulings and any issues related to the competition.

General notes:

1. A croquet session of 2 hours may not be long enough to play some 3 game matches, so please plan accordingly. Get to the croquet lawn early and be set up to start playing promptly! You should be ready to start at the starting time, not just arriving at the lawn!
2. Please do not take all day in playing your games! Although some shots require a bit of thought, most shots are obvious and can be played with little delay. 
3. Slow play is to be deprecated and should be called out by the opposition when it occurs.
4. Please start scheduling your matches as soon as possible to avoid any bottlenecks / issues later in the season.
5. Each player shall send their updated handicap & index to the handicap custodian, Ian Price.
6. If you have any issue, please involve the captain at the earliest opportunity.