Rush is a fast-paced variant invented by Croquet New Zealand sport development officer Greg Bryant.

Forbury Park Croquet Club coach Ann Sharp said this was the fourth version of croquet that could be played.

Association croquet was the original or traditional game.

There was also a faster version called golf croquet, as well as another variation called ricochet, a hybrid of association and golf croquet.

Rush, as the newest iteration, was a "very interactive" game, Sharp said.

"Because everyone is standing on the lawn, no-one is walking off and sitting down."

This is due to teams or individuals taking alternate strokes at the ball.

The game is played on half the size of a traditional lawn and an average game is only about half an hour.

"So that is what makes it quicker and more interactive because you are all close and the balls are close."

It was a "fun" game because each team was only playing one ball as well as a neutral ball for either side to use.

"So it is something new, and it is unique to New Zealand because it has been developed here."

"We are going to try it again in the new year and then hopefully maybe numbers may increase, and then if that looks popular as well, we’ll try and do something [on a regular basis]."

The shorter nature of the Rush variant meant it could potentially be played during the winter months.

"You don’t want to be standing out there for too long playing croquet because it’s a bit chilly, so it might be a good thing to do during the winter months."

A more traditional association croquet game usually took about two and a-half hours.

Golf croquet took about one hour, so the new game was faster and it also provided an opportunity for people new to croquet to develop their skills quickly.

Sharp said the new version of the game was fun.

"I can see the potential for this, and I think it would be a game that kids would enjoy as well.

"I’d love to see some younger people playing the game."

The club holds regular games on Thursday and Saturday afternoons and also takes part in interclub competitions on Tuesdays.

For further information or to join phone 0210898-0492.

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