The men take the coveted sash in June Picnic croquet!
The Sons of Thunder defeat The Holy Rollers in a thrilling playoff final.
A perfect day for St John’s outdoor event.
.jpeg)
The Sons of Thunder – with one co-opted player – make St John’s history
The June Picnic was held on St John’s Green in warm sunshine, with delicious food and all the drama of the inaugural Croquet Championship Tournament.
After three tightly-fought contests on the croquet lawn, the Sons of Thunder, representing the Men’s Group, secured the Champion’s Sash.
The victory was crowned by the quiet dignity of the award ceremony, as Mother Jackie bestowed the sash on the team captain.
.jpeg)
Visibly moved, Chris Cooper is adorned with the Champion’s Sash
The event began with a feast of burgers and hotdogs cooked in the open air and accompanied by a wide range of salads and desserts, served under awnings borrowed from the US Navy by Chris Cooper.
Picnic food organized by Jon and Judy Cook, served al fresco on St John’s Green.
The croquet began with a protracted battle between the Men’s Group’s Sons of Thunder and the Melodious Malleteers representing the choir. Victory was repeatedly snatched from the men before Joe Legg’s pink ball struck the central peg with both sides mentally exhausted.
.jpeg)
The Melodious Malleteers, under captain Kathy Cooper, discuss the potential for gamesmanship
The heat of the moment: a narrow miss for Kathy Cooper, and Bill Lycan sizes up a subtle shot for the second hoop as the Melodious Malleteers fought courageously to avoid defeat.
Joe Legg’s forceful shot wins the opening round for the Men’s Group
To decide the second team in the grand finale, The Knockouts, representing the St Francis Gardeners’ Guild, met the vestry team The Holy Rollers.
The Holy Rollers, captain Mother Jackie, took on The Knockouts, captain Holly Cheeseman
How they lined up: the vestry chose the primary colors.
Experienced striker Holly Cheeseman, with the white ball (out of sight in our photo), led The Knockouts in a no-holds-barred contest for a place in the grand finale.
There was nothing pretty about the contest as each side took the fight to the opposition. Again fortunes fluctuated until Chip Flanagan’s red ball struck the center peg securing victory for the Holy Rollers.
Bonnie Legg displaying a noteworthy talent for strategy in the struggle for the second hoop.
Chip Flanagan takes the Holy Rollers into the finale with a masterful last shot.
A battle of titans - and a ripple of applause from the stands
The slimmed-down final contest took on the atmosphere of a penalty shootout, with tension and drama to match. The outcome was in doubt until the final shot, and victory for the croqueters of the Men’s Group.
With each shot critical for victory, nerves of steel were required on the lawn.
Proud moments: Chris Cooper displays the sash to devoted supporters.