Croquet is one of those games that everyone thinks they can play well… but few actually can.

Evening Post reporter Simon Peevers was no exception when he went to try out North Somerset's fastest growing sport.

Simon (left) travelled to the Nailsea and District Croquet Club to find out what the fascination was with the sport that is becoming increasingly popular.

And he soon found out that any preconceptions he had were wrong.

He said: "The image most people have of croquet is of retired ladies and gentlemen sedately knocking a ball through hoops on a hot summer's day, while their Pimm's is chilling in the clubhouse.

"That notion was slightly at odds with the reality of standing on a wet pitch with the wind blowing through my bones and drizzle falling from a bleak sky."

He was also surprised to learn that this is also a game for the younger generation, with a local 17-year-old croquet player being voted North Somerset's sportsman of the year.

But even with the help of two regulars to the club, Richard and Violet, Simon found it hard to master the basics

"The first step is being able to hit the ball. I realise that sounds simple but, in fact, it takes some skill," he said.

"Lining up my mallet against the back of the ball, I felt confident I should be able to give it a good hard 'thonk', but time after time the mallet missed and threatened to swing up and hit me in the head.

"And when I did finally manage to strike the ball, it dribbled along the ground pathetically.

"Meanwhile, Violet and Richard were knocking balls around the course with the force of hydraulic sledgehammers. Clearly this is no game for wimps."

The sport is more popular now than its introduction last century and looks set to continue to establish itself, meaning it could soon reach sports clubs in regions all over the country.

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