Croquet on the Common preserves past and future; Village society holds a stake in healthy trees.

Byline: Jim Esslinger

THOMPSON - Despite the rain of the previous two days, the pitch was level and fast. The lawns had been meticulously laid out and measured to conform to standards for play. The contestants had been gathered for some time; their clothing, if not exactly uniform, was appropriate for the day's games, which could last for hours.

With their wooden mallets at the ready, the teams begin their quest. Only one will emerge champion.

But all would be winners. Welcome to Croquet on the Common, Thompson-style.

Yesterday's event was the most recent sponsored by the Village Improvement Society, founded in 1874, whose sole aim is to preserve and maintain the Thompson Common. On this day of family fun, the money raised would go toward preserving the ancient elm trees that have adorned the Common for centuries, according to society President Paul Giguere. Part of the preservation effort includes protecting the trees from Dutch elm disease.

The society also hopes to have several of the trees declared national landmarks.

The arboreal purpose notwithstanding, yesterday's games were also aimed at showcasing the Common itself, Mr. Giguere said.

"In New England, the Common was used for a lot of different things, to have families gather, as well," he said, noting the Common's early ownership by the Congregational Church just across the street.

To that end, the Common has seen its share of Christmas activities, scarecrow decorating, and a number of outdoor barbecues.

Croquet seemed just the right family activity for the Common, Mr. Giguere said.

But unlike the informal home version played in many households in the nation, yesterday's tournament adhered to international rules. Well, some of the rules may have been altered.

"We don't allow hitting an opponent back," Mr. Giguere pointed out, a practice quite common in backyard contests.

The day's tournament also required the lawn - the official name of the croquet playing area - to be modified to accommodate several matches being played simultaneously. The official measured lawn is 50 feet by 100 feet. Yesterday, each lawn measured 20 feet by 40 feet.

More than a dozen two-person teams were set to play in a round-robin format in four divisions. The rectangular lawn belies a course that must be maneuvered in a figure-eight-like fashion. Referees act as the final arbiters to any dispute.

"I haven't had any disputes so far," said Terese Beaux, who wore the official tag of "Referee" on her white shirt. "I spent four hours last week learning the rules to get ready for this," she said, smiling. "That's when I learned the game."

Points are given for moving through a wicket or striking a stake. No one could say where the term "sticky wicket" originated, but a quick Wikipedia search revealed the term actually comes from cricket, denoting a rough surface on which a match is to be played. Despite the origin, all agreed the Common would produce no sticky wickets yesterday.

Teams sported names such as "The French Connection," "The Barn Swallows" and "Paul's Babes, I, II, III." And there were the more mundane titles, such as "The Grohs," as in Lawrence and Erica, and Ali (Alexandra), who served as personal trainer. As if to highlight the family atmosphere, First Selectman Lawrence Groh, his wife, Erica, and daughter, Ali, formed a team that would move its way to the semifinals. The competition was fierce, he said.

"That French Connection taught us a thing or two," he said. "I haven't played this game in 20 years. But today I am having a lot of fun."

In the end, however, the day would belong to a pair of last-minute substitutes who seized the banner when a scheduled team could not make it to the event. Ted Bartlett of Southbridge and Judith Eichner of Thompson teamed up to take home the championship trophy. "Barn Swallows" Cindy Cebrell and Jeff Cipolla were awarded the runner-up medal.

Meanwhile, Mr. Giguere is already planning more events.

"People were excited and told us they though this was a great idea," he said. "And they are encouraging us to do it again."

And while croquet may very well take center stage again next year, Mr. Giguere said, the Village Improvement Society is contemplating yet another popular sport to the Common.

"That would be boccie ball," he said.

ART: PHOTOS

CUTLINE: (1) Joan DaVia of Thompson takes a shot during the Croquet on the Common Tournament in Thompson yesterday, held by the Village Improvement Society to benefit the Thompson Common Heritage Tree Preservation Project. (2) From left, Jeff Cipolla and his wife, Cindy Sebrell of Thompson, watch as opponent Yvette Reed of Templeton takes a shot in the semifinal match of the tournament.

PHOTOG: T&G Staff Photos/PAUL KAPTEYN