What better way to solve the Nene pronunciation debate than with a lovely game of croquet?

Whatever the outcome, it'll always be the Nen to us

It's time to settle the age-old debate once and for all.

For years, people from Northamptonshire and Peterborough have tussled over which is the correct way to pronounce Nene

From its source in Daventry as it meanders East, it is pronounced Nen. But as the river gets toward Oundle, locals begin to call it the Neen where it then wanders into Peterborough, Wisbech and off into The Wash.

And how better to settle such controversy than in the gladiatorial arena of sport?

Peterborough and Northampton Croquet Clubs will battle out a best of nine games match across two codes tomorrow (Sunday, May 16) in Central Park, Peterborough for the right to decide where the pronunciation ends.

A nine nil whitewash would require the losers to adopt the winners pronunciation for the year a close result might see Oundle the turning point.

Paul Hetherington, Peterborough Club Secretary said: “This local challenge is a great start to our season as we look to throw off the shackles of Covid rest assured our whole team of five will be playing hard to preserve the name of our Nene”.

Paul Chard, Northampton Club Chairman responded: “Our five person team will look to wrest the match from Peterborough game by game as we too look forward to a productive season growing our club and promoting the Nene."