Croquet: British Open championships - Hurlingham Club

The British Open championships is the most prestigious event in the domestic calendar and stand second to the World Championships on a global scale. On Sunday, the doubles competition opens the week-long event in the peaceful surroundings of Hurlingham House in south-west London, though the ploys and tactics on court will be a different matter. The singles championship starts on Monday and the finals will be held next weekend. Robert Fulford, from Colchester, is the Open and World champion and such pedigree instals him as favourite, but opposing Fulford is the Great Britain captain and three-times winner of the Open, David Openshaw. However, Openshaw's last-minute entry means he is unseeded and has to play every round, a challenge which should spur him on to at least the semi-finals.

How to get there: Hurlingham Club, Ranelagh Gardens, Fulham, London SW6. Admission: pounds 6.50 per day. Play starts at 10am. Nearest underground station: Putney Bridge (District Line). (Tel: 071-736 8411).