St. John's Defeats Navy 4-1

Was down in Annapolis for the biggest croquet event in the world.

Johnnies owned the Middies in the face 4-1. Woot!

Best party of the year in my opinion: Fancy fashion, haute cuisine hallmarks of annual croquet match.

Who will win this year? Or more importantly, how will the lawn parties fare?

The 27th annual Annapolis Cup will be held Sunday, pairing St. John's College and the Naval Academy against each other in an afternoon of croquet on the front lawn of the St. John's campus.

Through the years, the free event has grown to draw more than 2,000 spectators and evolved to include not only croquet but live music, fancy costumes and elaborate garden parties, complete with upscale hors d'oeuvres and signature drinks. And you don't have to have Johnnie or Midshipmen ties to attend.

"It's the greatest people watching you can do in Annapolis, and it marries perfectly the two collegiate atmospheres in the city," said Todd Lamb, a city resident who has attended the Annapolis Cup every year since 2001. "It gets back to the essence of a community event on a beautiful spring day."

And on Saturday Annapolis beat Santa Fe 22-5.