AS A young lad Jamie Burch used to sit on the lawn at Reigate Priory Croquet Club and watch his father play.
The lawn became a second home for the Redhill youngster who played with a miniature stick until he was tall enough to use adult equipment.
Then, while his school friends took to the football pitch, he cycled to the Park Lane club to hone his skills against opponents often more than twice his age.
Now, 25 years later – and after three years away from the game at university – he is rocketing towards the sport's upper echelon.
Last month the father-of-two won the British Men's Championship and now he has his sights set firmly on the world championships in August.
"I used to play football with my mates because they wouldn't play croquet with me," he said. "But while the strapping lads were playing football I would get on my bike and go play croquet against people quite a few years my senior."
Since returning from university in 2003 Mr Burch, 33, has played more consistently and is now ranked 10th in the world.
He played for Great Britain against the USA last year in a friendly.
The British Men's Championship on June 16 is his "biggest victory to date" and he is now preparing for the world championships in London in August.
There he will have the chance to go mallet-to-mallet with the two greats of modern croquet – Reg Bamford and Robert Fulford.
But unlike his rivals, for Mr Burch the game takes a back seat to his work as a self-employed painter and decorator and family life with wife Emma and children Oliver, six, and Flora, two.
"I try to play twice a month," he said. "I will do three competitions this year, probably some of my opponents have already done ten.
"I am very lucky to have a kind wife who doesn't mind, so long as I don't get too carried away."
Mr Burch believes the fact he plays primarily for fun is one of his greatest strengths.
"You have got to enjoy yourself," he said. "And if it happens I do well then that is a bonus."
With the world championships looming and his first major title under his belt, how is his mindset?
"I know I can win – once you know that, something about you changes."
