Before, it was bocce ball and a game of HORSE. All fine endeavors, to be sure, but where was the gentlemanly aspect to these outdoor activities? Where was the elegance?

This week, in our continuing bid to get you outside the house for a rousing game of just about anything, Michael Staton and I engage in a game of croquet. Sure, it might sound like a sissy game to partake in, but croquet involves endurance, strategy and a steady hand when going for the big shot.

The worst part about croquet is setting up. You need to buy a croquet set first. They run from $20 to $50 at any store that sells sporting equipment of any kind. There are four mallets, four balls, two stakes and nine wickets.

Michael and I spent longer setting up than we did playing, as it turned out, but we had a great time at both. See the manual for set up and basic rules of engagement where croquet is concerned.

The concept is simple. Each player attempts to hit his or her ball through each wicket (using a wooden mallet) on the course in a specific order. While on that path, you may hit another player’s ball to gain extra shots. The first to get around the croquet course wins the game.

We started out smoothly enough, as I hit the ball with a great deal of accuracy and vigor. I went from wicket to wicket with ease, and Michael lagged behind, still comprehending the rules of the game.

As we came upon the mid-point of the match, Michael surged ahead using a well-timed hitting of my ball to gain an extra two shots and getting him through the wickets on the opposite side of the field and to the second stake.

From there, he blasted forward, leaving me for the inaccurate loser he was sure to call me after his second victory in as many weeks. (For those who might forget, see the game of HORSE from July 24.)

Then, at the center of the field, I got to the new leader and hit his ball. Now was the time to “roquet” his ball out of play and gain some much needed space between myself and him. I tore through the last wickets time after time and was set up for a simple, and final, approach.

Michael’s only chance at victory was to hit my ball (set up in front of the last two wickets) from about 20 feet away. The possibilities were slim, and as he hit, I could see it was not going to happen.

What I didn’t plan for was that he would go around my ball, hit the wicket and go through. Now he had a perfect shot on the last wicket and, subsequently, the stake.

Michael lined up, went through the wicket and then had his eye on the stake and victory. An improbable comeback with only 8 inches standing between. He lined, he hit, he … missed.

Who would believe it? Victory from the jaws of defeat only to be defeated, thanks to a hasty approach on the final shot.

And Jake Grove was declared winner while Michael Staton had to bask in defeat. The score stands at 2-1 in favor of myself.

Next week, it’s disc golf.