Given the uncertain pitch quality and the challenging weather, players took their time in warm-ups. Here we see two members of the UrbanHonking squad taking the measure of Acorn's home ground.
The Acorn team kindly provided refreshments in the Players Lounge.
Mike Merrill of UrbanHonking studies the sloppy, uneven pitch.
The Acorn team's sartorial splendour.
Merrill completes his pre-game preparations.
The Acorn team took to its home field amid pomp and circumstance.
Despite conditions, the afternoon produced some exciting tactical croquet, as seen here in a moment of congestion at the Turn during Game Two.
***
Few knew what to expect as three teams assembled at the home ground of the Acorn team to contest Matchday One of the Portland Croquet League's inaugural season. The hosts featured a full complement of players and the possible advantage of an unusual bended course layout over a soaked, uneven pitch. In spite of the league's clean slate, UrbanHonking could point to a history of sporting success in other disciplines, particularly the club futsal team's triumphant voyage to the Third Division playoffs during the current term. Jaguar Realm, meanwhile, fielded the minimum of two players, and was perhaps the day's surprise package.
Game One began with an early escape by Dan of the Acorn team, playing Blue. UrbanHonking, however, took advantage of players Merrill and McCormick drawing Red and Yellow, respectively; smoothly executed tandem tactics brought the duo up on the leading ball shortly after the Turn. Jaguar Realm, in contrast, found itself playing a single-handed game. Ineffectual shooting by the captain Dundas left his partner Myers more or less alone. The three-team, first-to-finish format's tactical nuances came to light as the leaders entered the final wickets—the stragglers broke from the course, shooting long in various attempts to influence the outcome to their partners' advantage. Acorn discovered that it's not always advantageous to hold early leads; Merrill, breaking with his partner at last, swept through to claim the stake, while a steady performance put Myers second.
A telephone bulletin received during Game One reported that the Half & Half team had swept the points in the first game of the other match. Many league insiders have tipped Half & Half as a title favourite; certainly, they put down a marker with their Game One grand slam.
Game Two featured a much faster opening from all the teams, and developed into a tight showdown around the Turn. Myers of Jaguar Realm broke out, and appeared a nearly certain winner. He stalled in the late going, however, and Dave of Acorn staged a dramatic long-ball rally for the win. Myers claimed second again, however, after a cagey standoff with Schroeder of UrbanHonking at the final wickets.
The result left honours equal at two points for each side, and all teams walked off the sodden pitch more or less satisfied. Word that Half & Half finished the day on four points only confirmed that side's quality. Meanwhile, questions loomed over Jaguar Realm after captain Dundas' weak performance and club's inability to recruit more than two players for this big occasion.
A report from the other Matchday One contest and a full league table will follow.
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