A RETIRED teacher has picked up a second major croquet title to join an elite band of mallet men.

Abdul Ahmad, of Church Street, Barrowford, scooped the Old England Croquet Champion title at the national championships at Colchester Croquet Club.

Abdul, a qualified croquet coach and referee, started playing the game after a shoulder injury led him to give up golf.

For him the allure was instant.

"I was playing golf about three or four times a week. but never excelled at it," he said.

"When I discovered croquet I sold my golf equipment because the attraction was simple and straightforward.

"I just fell in love with the game instantly and within a week I had given up playing golf completely."

When it comes to croquet competitions Abdul is no stranger to sporting glory. In 1999 he picked up the All England Croquet Handicap Champion title at the national championships.

"Very few people have won both titles because most players just choose one type to play and stick with it. They don't tend to mix it, but winning both has been very special."

Since retiring from his job as a maths teacher at Edge End School in Nelson, Abdul has been a regular at the Croquet in Pendle Club, which meets at Nelson and Colne College.

As well as playing, Abdul has taken charge of matches featuring players from all over the world.

"The competition in Colchester had players from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, but I have met Egyptians, Americans, every nationality of player."

He was chosen to represent the North West of England after winning local, then regional heats.

Twenty players from across the United Kingdom then battled it out for the croquet crown.

Abdul continued: "Since the Pendle Club got going we have had a lot of success.

"I just hope that in the future we have more."

CROQUET TERMINOLOGY:

The game dates back to the 17 century and its origins are shrouded in mystery. Because of its name many people believe it to be French, but the Irish also stake a claim to inventing the game. It was, however, the English who took the game to its professional status. The All England Club, at Wimbledon in south London, was originally a croquet club before becoming a lawn sports club.

Like cricket and lawn tennis at Wimbledon, players must wear a uniform of white flannels while playing the game.

Shots played during the game include:

In -Off: To score by hitting your own ball against an opponent's to force it through a hoop.

Jump Shot: Scoring by hitting a ball through a hoop, but over an opponent's ball which is lodged in the hoop.

Hit-Outs: Preventing an opponent from scoring by striking his ball away from a favourable position with your own ball.