Report on the Association Croquet Match for the McWeeney Trophy – 2026
The line-up for the 2026 McWeeney looked pretty closely matched for this annual Croquet England versus Croquet Association of Ireland level advanced association croquet match. The Ireland team captained by the Carrickmines club captain Alan Looney (2.5) supported by Jane Morison (-0.5), Brina Havill (2), Duncan Styles (4) and Nigel Werner (5) took on the England team captained by Paul Hetherington (2) with Dom Aarvold (0), Charlie Martin (2), Stephen Harbron (2), Steve Leonard (3.5) and Alex Lake (6). Players were paired by D Grade with 1& 6, 2 &5 and 3 & 4 pairing for two rounds of doubles, whilst the singles saw 1 to 3, and 4 to 6 play off against each other over three rounds.
The first morning saw a light drizzle which ended shortly after play commenced, with England taking a slender two-to-one lead after the round of doubles. Lunch was delivered somewhat appropriately by Myles McWeeney, son of the trophy’s benefactor. Round two saw the first set of singles shared three apiece, setting up the final session of day one a further six singles which England eventually prevailed in five to one though not without a few +1 on time. Day one was rounded off by a fabulous tournament dinner at a nearby Thai restaurant generously hosted by the Irish who at this stage trailed five to ten, leaving England needing just three more games to prevail or two for a draw.
Day two again started with a light drizzle that soon lifted as three doubles were set underway. England triumphed two to one, ensuring the draw with six singles to play in which each player would face their opposite number, again following lunch delivered by Myles. England though, had no intention of dropping the ball and again triumphed five to one for a 17 to 7 victory. Ireland’s consolation win came in the top pair where Dom’s failed triple peel enabled Jane to triumph narrowly even after having a ball pegged out. Jane Morrison was Ireland’s most successful player with four wins from 5.
Myles returned to present the McWeeney Trophy to the winning England team and the Maugham Trophy for best player adjudged by the captains to be Stephen Harbron, who managed five wins from five games. Steve Leonard passed the threshold for a handicap reduction to (3) following his three singles wins, and Paul saw his drop to (1.5) after winning two out of three singles. Both teams praised the great camaraderie on display and the general fun of the event. The Carrickmines Club was thanked for hosting, with particular comment by the England Captain for being the only club in Ireland with four lawns, so important for hosting of competitive croquet events.
The trophy returned to England via ferry and car and currently adorns a Kentish piano. I would recommend any interested association players put their names forward for 2027 selection when the contest resumes in Pendle. England hold a slender overall lead of 20 wins to 19, so all to play for.
