WATFORD Croquet Club lifted the Longman Cup at a wet and windy Cheltenham at the weekend.

In the national tournament, Watford defeated Pendle, from Lancashire, 5-2 in the semi-final on Saturday, September 29, to book their place in their first-ever final against Woking.

In the morning singles, Bill Gillott and John Bee both won their matches, but the excitement was in the doubles where Woking pegged out Janet Lewis, leaving Robert Bateson to battle on with one ball against his opponents two.

Bateson, however, was equal to the challenge and hit in to finish with a three-ball break to give Watford a 3-0 lead at lunch.

Watford then sat back on their lead and at one stage threatened to lose all four afternoon singles.

Gillott overlooked a simple chance to peg out his opponent, an error which could easily have cost him the game. Despite then having to play with extreme caution, he recovered to win a tense battle that was far closer than the 11 hoop margin suggests.

Lewis scrambled home plus two and Bee took advantage of the extra turns provided by his high handicap rating to run out a fairly comfortable plus six winner.

This gave Club President, Robert Bateson, the honour of lifting the 73-year-old Trophy as consolation for his own 22 hoop defeat.

The 6-1 scoreline flattered the Cassiobury Park club, but no one in their ecstatic crowd of supporters cared.