Mulliner delivers clutch performance as dusk falls at Budleigh Salterton, reclaiming the storied transatlantic title for Team GB
Great Britain has reclaimed the Solomon Trophy, edging the United States in a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 edition of the historic AC test series. The test this year was held this year on the manicured lawns of Budleigh Salterton Croquet Club, August 7-10, and entertained both American and Great Britain fans and supporters as it came down to the very last game of the final match this past Sunday.
With the test score tied 10-10, Stephen Mulliner, a 2016 World Champion who was making his 12th appearance for Team GB, faced Team USA’s Stephen Morgan in the deciding match of the day, which had been pegged down from day one, with Morgan leading 1-0, but facing a 1 v 2 scenario with one of his balls pegged out. Morgan did get in when the game resumed and advanced his one ball to create some intrigue in the game, but was unable to get to the peg, allowing Mulliner back in to finish with a 26-20 win and tie the match 1-1.
With daylight fading, tournament official Chris Clarke met with the duo prior to game three and indicated that the game would go on until 8:40 p.m., at which point either player as striker could declare the conditions unplayable if visibility was insufficient. As play commenced, Mulliner leaned on his wealth of international experience was relatively clinical in a game that offered just one chance to Morgan. Mulliner finished 26-0 to secure the win and move the series to 23-3 in favor of the British team.
The Solomon Trophy, first contested in 1987 and named in honor of legendary English player John Solomon, stands as one of croquet’s most prestigious international titles outside the MacRobertson Shield. It pits six-player teams from Great Britain and the United States in a 21-match format featuring both singles and doubles. This year’s contest showcased the depth of talent on both sides and underscored the enduring intensity of the rivalry.
The matches were livestreamed via the Croquet England YouTube channel, which drew significant attention from the croquet community worldwide. The channel added 120 new subscribers over the four days of livestreaming, highlighting the continued interest for elite-level croquet coverage.
Team GB Roster
Samir Patel (Captain) – Surbiton Croquet Club
Harry Fisher – Roehampton Croquet Club
Stephen Mulliner – Surbiton Croquet Club
Debbie Lines – Peterborough Croquet Club
Gabrielle Higgins – Sussex County Croquet Club
Jack Good – Bowdon Croquet Club
Team USA Roster
Matthew Essick (Captain) – Maitland, FL
Tom Balding – Catawba, NC
Zack Watson – North Mountain Croquet & Tennis Club
Stephen Morgan – Ocean House Mallet Club
Kyle Maloof – Mountain Lake Croquet Club
Stuart Lawrence – Lenox Croquet Club
Series History
2025: Great Britain 11-10, Budleigh Salterton
2023: USA 14-7, Sarasota
2019: Great Britain 11-9, Pinehurst
2018: Great Britain 12-5, Surbiton
2016: Great Britain 17-4, Bowdon
2015: Great Britain 15-6, Pinehurst
2013: Great Britain 17-4, Hunstanton
2012: Great Britain 13-8, Bald Head Island
2011: USA 11-6, Hamptworth
2009: USA 11-9, Palm Springs
2008: Great Britain 21-6, Heaton Park
2005: Great Britain 14-7, Palm Springs
2004: Great Britain 17-4, Heaton Park
2002: Great Britain 13-8, Palm Beach
2001: Great Britain 20-0, Surbiton
1999: Great Britain 15-6, Sonoma-Cutrer
1998: Great Britain 14-7, Bowdon
1997: Great Britain 16-4, Los Angeles
1995: Great Britain 18-0, Nottingham
1994: Great Britain 14-7, Palm Beach
1992: Great Britain 19-2, Surbiton
1991: Great Britain 14-7, Palm Beach
1990: Great Britain 19-2, Roehampton
1989: Great Britain 15-5, Palm Beach
1988: Great Britain 20-1, Cheltenham
1987: Great Britain 23-7, Palm Beach
1985: Great Britain 9-0, Nottingham