DOWLISH Wake Golf Croquet Club has once again fought its way through to the final of the South West Federation of Croquet Clubs League, to be played in early October.

On a day with leaden skies and showers forecast, the team of Anne Larpent, Barbara Dean, David Heffill, captain Keith Bryant, Anthea Carter and Mark Gooch travelled to Budleigh Salterton to play the 20-game semi-final decider against the home team.

The courts at Budleigh are superbly maintained, as might be expected for a club hosting regional, national and international competitions, and everyone enjoyed the friendly and spirited competition.

The first SW Federation league competition was played in 1985 with just a handful of clubs entering.

This year, 35 teams entered, proving that croquet is growing in support around the South-West and the country in general.

The club at Dowlish Wake already boasts having its name on the SW Federation Roll of Honour having won the league in 2012, and their results give evidence of enthusiastic and committed players able to challenge the largest clubs in the area.

Despite the loss of the Pavilion to arson late last year, the club has maintained a competitive and welcoming presence in Dowlish Wake, not least due to the support of the Playing Field Trust who are pushing forward this week on the construction of a new Pavilion, which the club look forward to using in 2018.

Anyone interested in taking up this intriguing sport where gentle physical exercise is combined with fiendish competitive strategy is welcome to come along and have a go free of charge.

Please contact club chair, Anthea Carter (01460 57220).