YOUNGSTER Harry Dodge claimed a superb victory as Colchester Croquet Club hosted the prestigious East Anglian Federation Golf Croquet Championship.

The 22-year-old, from Yeovil in Somerset, saw off former National AC and European champion Stephen Mulliner, 2-0.

He also took the scalp of Colchester-based player and five-time former world champion, Robert Fulford.

Colchester CC once again provided top-class playing surfaces, enabling 16 top-class players with an unbelievable average handicap of minus three to complete some long hard-fought games, over two days.

The final also showed some exhilarating strokes, with Dodge demonstrating a remarkable winning shot by jumping his ball from the boundary line to take the final hoop.

Following his triumph, an ecstatic Dodge received the Anne Lee Trophy and thanked Colchester for providing such an accommodating and warm welcome.

He especially thanked Colchester CC member Chris Sheen for sacrificing his own position, to manage the Championship tournament.

Colchester CC publicity officer Stephen Scrase afterwards praised Harry Dodge for leading a younger element in such an important competition.

He said: "It underlines what I've said for some time that younger players can quickly make a name for themselves even at national and maybe World level, in this minor sport.

"It is wide open for younger people if they have drive and determination and are able to keep focused on the game.

"After all, Harry only took up the sport in 2011.

"It has been a refreshing weekend for the game of croquet."