Tunbridge Wells Croquet Club’s Robert Fulford beats Matthew Essick of the USA 3-2 to win his sixth Association Croquet World Championship Final

Robert Fulford won a titanic Association Croquet World Championship Final on Sunday.

Fulford, from Wadhurst, came from two games down to beat American opponent Matthew Essick in a match lasting more than seven-and-a-half hours.

A member of Tunbridge Wells Croquet Club, Fulford produced some exceptional play to level the Final which was held at Hurlingham in south-west London.

His opponent looked odds-on to win the decider having pegged out one of Fulford’s balls.

But a mistake by the American left Fulford with an easyish break to win 3-2 and land his sixth world championship.

Victory was sweet for Fulford after losing 3-2 to Essick in the Final of the Golf Croquet World Championship last year.

To follow up on his success, Tunbridge Wells are holding a free open day on Sunday, August 6 (2-5pm).

On Saturday, August 12, there’s an introduction to croquet course from 10am-4pm. Cost is £40 which includes membership until the end of the year.

Book your spot online via eventbrite.com (search Introduction to Croquet).