Scottish Croquet Association

Scottish AC Open 2026

20-21 June 2026, Balgreen

Anyone who knows me will know that I like playing at different clubs and meeting new people.  One new club a year is my simple aim - not necessarily overseas. For the last few years I have travelled to Austria, Switzerland and Czechia for tournaments. So what did 2026 hold for me - Scotland. I have been present at a couple of tournaments at Meadows, but never played. I booked myself in for the Scottish Open at Balgreen, Edinburgh.

Sadly something is now going on with the nerve in my right arm, and I have had to withdraw - blinkin’! So still not played in Scotland. However, newly set up as assistant manager to Jane Morrison, I shall be keeping Croquet Scores up to date, being general runner to all and this.

My travelling companion is Rick Harding, and we arrived in Edinburgh in full rain, as expected. The bus system is excellent here and we were able to get into the city very easily. The rain, unfortunately, had not stopped the tourists! We crossed over and up onto The Mound muttering automatic oohs and aahs and the occasional “look at that”. Weaving around tourists (yes, I do appreciate we too were in that category), I think we managed to go up and down every road and alley. The sun came out and… what a beautiful place. Obligatory miniature hairy cow purchased and time to catch the bus back to our lovely hosts, Jane and Campbell Morrison.

Saturday morning and over breakfast we were shown Jane’s rash that had developed overnight (arms only); possible Ebola was our decision. The sun is out and we arrive at Balgreen Croquet Club, instantly searching for Stefan, the on-site doctor and competitor (handy), but he was strangely not too worried about Ebola.

The club has four bowling greens, now all for croquet. A council owned facility but maintained by croquet members. There’s a huge clubhouse with rooms rented out to clubs such as Brownies and small parties, and the club has just been donated a snooker table. The lawns are playing well, as you’d expect of bowling greens. Frustratingly they are also loved by birds and leatherjackets, and regularly visited by rabbits.

Play starts: I’m wearing pink, why not, I can’t play!

First two games have triples - excellent, and Croquet Scores updated YES!  I turn around and Alastair Burn-Murdoch (ABM) is on a sextuple. He’s playing steadily, controlled, he knows how he wants to play this and sticks to that plan. A straight triple is played well, and, although hampered as he comes through rover, he remains seemingly calm, hits and finishes.  Excellent.  Congratulations Alastair on your first tournament sextuple.

The day progresses well and the assistant manager is given the deference she deserves.

John Owen had a very good 2-0 win against James Hopgood, and other top seeds are also well challenged by their opponents.  Best-of-threes are played from the quarter finals, and by the end of day one, the first games of the semi-finals have been taken by the underdogs.

At this point I’d like to give a big shout out to Emma Jamie who, as a handicap 18, accidentally entered this Scottish Open, and has bravely continued through, improving with each game. By the end of this report, cross fingers, I will have a few words from her on what she has learnt - hopefully not just how to read tournament details before entering anything.

Day two needs semis to finish, then the finals. Potentially five games. Luckily it’s still light here until after 10, although my restaurant booking is for 7.30, so I’ll be off.

Sunday arrives. Another gorgeous sunny day. I have a big rummage in my case - whoever packed my bag for me had planned on a Scottish summer, but it’s turned into a lovely English spring and I’m in a nice warming outfit - boy oh boy I’m warm.

John Owen (1) vs ABM, Jane Morrison (1) vs Rick Harding.  ABM and Rick both take the second games, so semis both going to a third. Play is strong for the most part, ending with Rick and ABM in the final.  Jane is now a little pooped, but we’re putting it down to the Ebola, which has spread down both legs to her feet.

Nice friendly chats have gone out of the window as I’m just about keeping up with Croquet Scores, who should play whom, fending off calls for increased time, moving lawns, getting in a beer and this.  I’m hot. I glance across at Christophe and Verena Bergen from Austria, obviously used to warmer climes, wrapped up and potentially wearing thermals - I didn’t ask, but they looked… chilly; meanwhile the Scottish are out and about in shorts and t-shirts!

Final of the plate goes on between James Hopgood and Stefan Colling (Ebola consultant).

In the final, ABM struggled to get back in the flow after his sextuple the previous day. Nice play from Rick with only a couple of hiccups, and the final was over in two. Congratulations to Rick, for winning the Scottish Open 2-0. (Restaurant booking safe). James won the plate and presentations were made. Then the whisky appeared - Port Charlotte - tasty!

Thanks and congratulations were mostly given to Campbell for his hard work on the lawns, but I can tell you this club has many keen, knowledgeable and able members, quietly checking borders for work needed,  clearing bins, making decisions on the new kitchen, meeting potential room hires etc. etc. If I lived even remotely near I’d be keen to call this my club.

End of the tournament and Emma has provided a great message for all budding AC players:

Note: decision made, it can’t be Ebola as Campbell, Rick and I are still rash free; she must just be allergic to us. 

Annabel McDiarmid

Results

(Also on Croquet Scores)

Note: results in the knockout are carried forward to the plate, but a loss in a best-of-three counts as just one loss.