Scotland vs Wales croquet clash as part of festival of sport

But the latest international showdown set for the Capital promises to be a slightly less high-profile, and altogether more relaxed affair.

The top croquet players of Scotland and Wales are to lock horns on the Meadows as part of a ten-day "festival of sport" taking place in the city. Organisers

admit it's not great as a spectator sport, with most internationals attracting little more than a dozen spectators.

Campbell Morrison, 52, one of the three Scotland players that will take part in the game against the Welsh, said: "Croquet does not get a big crowd; even the world championship only gets 20-30.

"Scotland and Wales are quite closely matched, so the game should be quite close."

The Meadows Croquet Club, which will host the international at its home at the former council bowling greens, now has nearly 80 members.

Among the three players that will turn out for Scotland against Wales, over the weekend of June 12-13, is James Hopwood, who only started playing the game five years ago after seeing an advert for the Meadows club in his local fish and chip shop but is now ranked 115 in the world.

As well as the international match, the Meadows Croquet Club is holding taster sessions for beginners this Monday from 3.30pm-7pm and hopes to attract more new members.

"Everybody gets something out of it," said Mr Morrison, who has been playing the game since he was at university. "It combines physical skill with strategic thinking, a bit like snooker or chess.

"You get young keen ones like James who will quickly improve and can get into the world top 100, but it's also good for those who have played other sports in the past, like Alan Wilson (the other Scotland team member), who used to play rugby."

The Festival of Sport, coordinated by Activcity and supported by ClubSportEdinburgh, the city council and Edinburgh Leisure, is now in its second year and runs from June 4-13.

Other events planned include beach volleyball, shown left, matches and the popular Dutch sport of korfball.

Councillor Ronald Cairns, vice convener of the council's culture and leisure committee, said: "There are so many different activities and sports on offer in Edinburgh these days that people are really spoilt for choice when it comes to sampling a new way of keeping active.

"If you're not someone who's keen on the more mainstream sports, then one of the more unusual sports like croquet or korfball might be right up your street."