The 3rd Sugar Beach International Croquet Cup 2026 16th – 19th March 2026

This year, three members of Sussex County Croquet Club, David Dickens, and Angela and Tony Marjoram, all travelled to Mauritius to play in the tournament alongside other players from England, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, and Mauritius.

The twenty-four players varied in handicap (DGrade!) with the most notable the #16 in the World, Stephen Mulliner, taking part. Unfortunately, last year’s winner Jenny Clarke could not attend as her flight was cancelled due to the troubles in the Middle East. The resort boasted two well maintained courts right alongside the beach with the Indian Ocean close by. Very picturesque.

The first day of play involved a doubles tournament with the partners randomly drawn by the organiser. The morning play comprised 4 blocks with each pair playing two games against the other block members.

In the afternoon, the top two pairs from each group took part in a knockout. Both Tony and Angela, and their partners, made it through to the first round of knockout games, but fell at the first hurdle. David, with his partner Lynette Labuschagne, made it through to the semifinal before losing to the eventual runners-up, Jane Morrison, and Jeremie Brousse de Gersigny. Stephen Mulliner and partner Janelle Morris were the winners with an extremely exciting final match going to the 13th hoop. Not only did all the players have to adapt their game to the slow and bumpy courts, but the weather on every day was a glorious 30 degree plus, with the additional challenge of the high humidity making the temperature feel like low to mid 40 degrees C. Plenty of liquids needed to be taken on board throughout the day (and in the evening too!)

Day 2 started with a coaching Masterclass held by Stephen Mulliner in the morning, and then in the afternoon the first 2 blocks of singles were played. First to play was Tony v Stephen Mulliner, a game that did not last long with Stephen showing the class and ability that has made him one of the world’s best players. Yep, a 7-0 demolition in 25 minutes. However, all was not lost with Tony winning his other two block games to give him a slim chance of being one of the best 2 block runners-up who would make the championship knockouts. Angela finished third in her block to guarantee her entry into the plate competition.

David played his block games on the morning of Day 3, and with 3 comfortable victories, finished top of his block and entered the Championship knock out event to be held on Day 4.

The morning of Day 4 was the Singles Plate Knockout Competition. Angela unfortunately lost in the first round to Henry Piat, one of the local Mauritian players, but Tony (who did not finish as one of the two best runners-up) won his first two matches before losing 6-7 to Australian Peter Hamilton in the Semi Final. Phil Taylor beat Peter Hamilton in the Final 7-1.

The final afternoon of the tournament was the Singles Championship Knockout Competition. David beat last year’s losing finalist Jane Morrison in his first match, but he then came up against Stephen Mulliner in the Semi-Final. David, to the excitement of the watching crowd, won the first two hoops, but eventually lost 7-4. The Final match of the tournament, watched by an enthralled crowd was Stephen Mulliner vs Dom Aarvold, with the popular Dom deservedly winning the match 7-3.

This was a very well-organized tournament, with a great bunch of players from across the globe, played at a fantastic holiday resort in superb weather conditions. For anyone interested in playing next year, (7th-12th March 2027) then they should register their interest on the Croquet and Cocktails website as follows: https://www.croquetandcocktails.com/events/Mauritius

(photos and text by Angela and Tony)