WCF AC World Championship
Semi Finals by Sam Murray
Good morning from West Palm Beach.
23 Apr 2016 9:00AM (Tournament); 11 Readers
I shall be commentating on Bamford v. Mulliner, Jenny is covering Maugham v. Maloof.
23 Apr 2016 9:01AM (Tournament); 11 Readers
The players are warming-up on a somewhat grey, overcast morning. It is bound to warm-up later.
23 Apr 2016 9:01AM (Tournament); 12 Readers
Reg is currently looking a class above all the other players in the event, so Stephen has his work cut out today.
23 Apr 2016 9:02AM (Tournament); 13 Readers
Reg / Stephen are on lawn 7, the Davids on lawn 12, for those who know the layout at NCC.
23 Apr 2016 9:05AM (Tournament); 16 Readers
Reg / Stephen are on lawn 7, the Davids on lawn 12, for those who know the layout at NCC.
23 Apr 2016 9:05AM (Tournament); 16 Readers
Good start - no clips on the lawn.
23 Apr 2016 9:06AM (Tournament); 17 Readers
Stephen UK, Reg RY.
23 Apr 2016 9:07AM (Tournament); 22 Readers
Stephen super shot with U.
23 Apr 2016 9:08AM (Tournament); 21 Readers
Reg plays Y to max distance on the E boundary.
23 Apr 2016 9:08AM (Tournament); 21 Readers
SM shooting at it from c3.
23 Apr 2016 9:10AM (Tournament); 23 Readers
Hits, slightly overdoes the croquet stroke.
23 Apr 2016 9:10AM (Tournament); 22 Readers
Rushes to S boundary, half way between 1 and 5.
23 Apr 2016 9:11AM (Tournament); 22 Readers
Over approaches, and retreats to 1y N of c4.
23 Apr 2016 9:12AM (Tournament); 21 Readers
Y is 3y WNW of 2, U is 5y N of 1.
23 Apr 2016 9:13AM (Tournament); 21 Readers
So Reg has a 10-11 harder for an easy start.
23 Apr 2016 9:13AM (Tournament); 22 Readers
*yarder
23 Apr 2016 9:14AM (Tournament); 22 Readers
Shoots at partner from B baulk, hits.
23 Apr 2016 9:14AM (Tournament); 23 Readers
Y ends up in the middle of the W bndry.
23 Apr 2016 9:15AM (Tournament); 24 Readers
Plays a gentle square-split to get a perfect rush on U.
23 Apr 2016 9:15AM (Tournament); 25 Readers
Makes 1, and rushes to the W bndry.
23 Apr 2016 9:17AM (Tournament); 23 Readers
Y is 6y SW of 2.
23 Apr 2016 9:17AM (Tournament); 23 Readers
Makes 2, and rushes Y to N bndry.
23 Apr 2016 9:18AM (Tournament); 25 Readers
U is 5ft N of 3.
23 Apr 2016 9:19AM (Tournament); 23 Readers
Nice croquet stroke gets the rush on U, and Y just N of 4.
23 Apr 2016 9:19AM (Tournament); 23 Readers
The sun begins to break through, as Reg rushes U to 5y N of K, which is just N of c4.
23 Apr 2016 9:20AM (Tournament); 25 Readers
U is sent S of 4, requests K and sends it to 5 going to Y.
23 Apr 2016 9:22AM (Tournament); 24 Readers
Runs 4 to the bndry, and has a 4-ball break.
23 Apr 2016 9:23AM (Tournament); 26 Readers
After 5, Y is rushed near 1, where K also lies. Takes of to U at 6, so it is to be an sxp leave.
23 Apr 2016 9:27AM (Tournament); 30 Readers
*off
23 Apr 2016 9:27AM (Tournament); 30 Readers
Lays a NW / SE cross wiring, with each ball 3ft from 1.
23 Apr 2016 9:30AM (Tournament); 35 Readers
Rushes Y to 5ft S of c3.
23 Apr 2016 9:30AM (Tournament); 36 Readers
Y sent just out of c3, R is left 4ft NE of 3.
23 Apr 2016 9:32AM (Tournament); 35 Readers
Stephen is kicking some tiny object off the lawn.
23 Apr 2016 9:33AM (Tournament); 34 Readers
Shoots with K, the south-easterly ball.
23 Apr 2016 9:33AM (Tournament); 35 Readers
Hits hoop 3, and deflects to near the N bndry, NW of 3.
23 Apr 2016 9:34AM (Tournament); 34 Readers
Perhaps a fortuitous way to miss.
23 Apr 2016 9:34AM (Tournament); 35 Readers
Regs takes on the 8-9 yarder at K, rushing it to 7y NW of 6.
23 Apr 2016 9:35AM (Tournament); 35 Readers
Takes-off back to partner (Y), has a 6ft Rush towards 2.
23 Apr 2016 9:36AM (Tournament); 36 Readers
Rushes to 5ft NE of 2.
23 Apr 2016 9:36AM (Tournament); 35 Readers
Contemplates the peel...
23 Apr 2016 9:36AM (Tournament); 34 Readers
Peel fails, bouncing off the near wire
23 Apr 2016 9:37AM (Tournament); 36 Readers
Apologies, partner ball is R, Reg is playing with Y.
23 Apr 2016 9:37AM (Tournament); 36 Readers
Has a 5ft take off to 1 from NE.
23 Apr 2016 9:38AM (Tournament); 38 Readers
Makes 1 with the rush pointing just S of 5.
23 Apr 2016 9:38AM (Tournament); 38 Readers
Rushes to 4y SE of peg.
23 Apr 2016 9:38AM (Tournament); 39 Readers
Sends U to 3 going to K, which is NW of 6.
23 Apr 2016 9:39AM (Tournament); 39 Readers
Makes 2 off R, and is lining up the 1b peel, with the escape ball 3y SE.
23 Apr 2016 9:41AM (Tournament); 40 Readers
Makes the peel, rushes K to N bndry.
23 Apr 2016 9:42AM (Tournament); 41 Readers
Makes 3, with peelee 6y NE of 2b, and K 1y SW.
23 Apr 2016 9:44AM (Tournament); 44 Readers
Rushes U to 7ft NNW of peelee.
23 Apr 2016 9:45AM (Tournament); 45 Readers
Has a 6ft peel attempt...
23 Apr 2016 9:46AM (Tournament); 42 Readers
Peelee ends up on the E wire. Reasonable rush available on K to 4 though..
23 Apr 2016 9:47AM (Tournament); 44 Readers
Rushes to 3y WNW of 4.
23 Apr 2016 9:47AM (Tournament); 42 Readers
Good approach, and hammers through 4, has a rush pointing towards 5.
23 Apr 2016 9:48AM (Tournament); 46 Readers
Plays it gently, and send K to 6 approaching peelee.
23 Apr 2016 9:49AM (Tournament); 47 Readers
Taps peelee, but it ends up angled to the NW.
23 Apr 2016 9:50AM (Tournament); 47 Readers
Sends peelee to 4ft NW of 5, so he will be having another go at the 2b peel after 5.
23 Apr 2016 9:51AM (Tournament); 49 Readers
Makes 5, and rushes partner to 7ft NE of 2b. Reg is visibly disappointed with that shot..
23 Apr 2016 9:52AM (Tournament); 51 Readers
Lines up the peel nonetheless.
23 Apr 2016 9:53AM (Tournament); 49 Readers
Plays it straight, forgoing the easy rush on K. It goes through to applause from the gallery.
23 Apr 2016 9:53AM (Tournament); 50 Readers
(Sorry, rush on U)
23 Apr 2016 9:53AM (Tournament); 50 Readers
But rushes it onto 5.
23 Apr 2016 9:54AM (Tournament); 51 Readers
Has to take-off to K at 6, so has no 1b pioneer.
23 Apr 2016 9:55AM (Tournament); 52 Readers
U is now 3y ENE of 5
23 Apr 2016 9:55AM (Tournament); 49 Readers
Makes 6, with a rush pointing to c1.
23 Apr 2016 9:56AM (Tournament); 49 Readers
Rushes to S boundary, due south of 1.
23 Apr 2016 9:56AM (Tournament); 49 Readers
Peelee is 3ft SSW of 1.
23 Apr 2016 9:57AM (Tournament); 50 Readers
Sends K 5ft S of peg, but has gone too far N of peelee, so has no rush to 3b.
23 Apr 2016 9:57AM (Tournament); 46 Readers
Cuts it to 2ft W of c4.
23 Apr 2016 9:58AM (Tournament); 47 Readers
Plays a pass roll. Peelee collides with the near wire of 3b, and Y is overdone, so the rush is pointing to 3, not 1b.
23 Apr 2016 10:00AM (Tournament); 47 Readers
Cuts to 4ft NE of 1b, superb shot.
23 Apr 2016 10:00AM (Tournament); 46 Readers
Crowd applauds.
23 Apr 2016 10:01AM (Tournament); 46 Readers
Makes 1b with an easterly rush on U.
23 Apr 2016 10:01AM (Tournament); 45 Readers
Rushes to E boundary E of 4. Peelee is on the E wire of 3b, K is 5ft S of peg.
23 Apr 2016 10:02AM (Tournament); 45 Readers
Sends U 10 y S of 4b, going to peelee, which he taps gently.
23 Apr 2016 10:03AM (Tournament); 42 Readers
Lines up the peel from about 10 inches.
23 Apr 2016 10:03AM (Tournament); 40 Readers
Peel goes through by 13 yards, rush on K is good.
23 Apr 2016 10:04AM (Tournament); 39 Readers
Rushes K to 8ft NNE of 2b, is not happy.
23 Apr 2016 10:05AM (Tournament); 42 Readers
Hammers it though, and gets a lucky westerly bit of wire to give him a rush towards U.
23 Apr 2016 10:06AM (Tournament); 42 Readers
Rushes to 5ft SW of U, which is 10y S of 4b.
23 Apr 2016 10:07AM (Tournament); 44 Readers
Sends K to the W, and roquets peelee, and has a very long 4b peel attempt, which he jawses to applause. Has a rush on U to 3b.
23 Apr 2016 10:09AM (Tournament); 45 Readers
Not too happy with the rush, which is to 8ft SE of 3b.
23 Apr 2016 10:09AM (Tournament); 47 Readers
Good approach though, and he runs 3b with a rush on U towards penult.
23 Apr 2016 10:10AM (Tournament); 46 Readers
Rushes U to between 4b and penult, and takes off to the jawsed peelee.
23 Apr 2016 10:10AM (Tournament); 49 Readers
Rush-peels it to the N bndry, and splits it to 8ft NE of penult getting SE of K, which is 6y SE of 4b.
23 Apr 2016 10:12AM (Tournament); 47 Readers
The rush is not good, he is approaching from 8ft SE.
23 Apr 2016 10:12AM (Tournament); 48 Readers
Approaches well though, and runs 4b to the boundary.
23 Apr 2016 10:12AM (Tournament); 46 Readers
Gently rushes K, and lines up a bombard on peelee going to U, which is ENE of penult by 3yds.
23 Apr 2016 10:14AM (Tournament); 45 Readers
Bombard is fairly successful. U is sent 5ft ESE of penult going to peelee.
23 Apr 2016 10:15AM (Tournament); 44 Readers
Has a straight penult peel of about 12-18 inches.
23 Apr 2016 10:15AM (Tournament); 42 Readers
Peelee through to 7ft NW of rover, striker's ball is jawsed.
23 Apr 2016 10:16AM (Tournament); 44 Readers
Rushes K to the N, and sends it only just S of rover, 7ft E.
23 Apr 2016 10:17AM (Tournament); 45 Readers
Rushes U to 4ft NW of peelee.
23 Apr 2016 10:17AM (Tournament); 45 Readers
Sends it 5ft WSW of rover, and over-rushes peelee. Has an 18 inch 35 degree peel.
23 Apr 2016 10:18AM (Tournament); 45 Readers
Through by 3 ft, jawsed Y.
23 Apr 2016 10:18AM (Tournament); 47 Readers
Rushes U, and takes-off to K.
23 Apr 2016 10:19AM (Tournament); 47 Readers
Rushes R to 5ft E of peg.
23 Apr 2016 10:20AM (Tournament); 48 Readers
+26 SXP, 1-0.
23 Apr 2016 10:20AM (Tournament); 47 Readers
Game 2. The players have switched colours. Reg U to 8y N of c4, Stephen Y to c2.
23 Apr 2016 10:33AM (Tournament); 43 Readers
Reg hits U.
23 Apr 2016 10:33AM (Tournament); 43 Readers
Takes of to within 2ft of Y.
23 Apr 2016 10:34AM (Tournament); 45 Readers
Y to just S of peg-high, 4y off W boundary. K 10 ft from U, and is placed to give U a rush to the S of Y.
23 Apr 2016 10:37AM (Tournament); 41 Readers
SM shooting at partner from A baulk.
23 Apr 2016 10:37AM (Tournament); 43 Readers
Misses by 2-3 inches on the right.
23 Apr 2016 10:38AM (Tournament); 43 Readers
Reg rushes K due W of Y, sends it to 7y SSW of 2, getting a rush on Y.
23 Apr 2016 10:40AM (Tournament); 38 Readers
The rush goes to 6ft SE of 1, and it seems Reg wants some gardening done. The referee heads his way.
23 Apr 2016 10:41AM (Tournament); 38 Readers
Reg is asking for a fork.
23 Apr 2016 10:41AM (Tournament); 36 Readers
A knife is offered and declined.
23 Apr 2016 10:42AM (Tournament); 37 Readers
Give the man the cutlery he requires!
23 Apr 2016 10:42AM (Tournament); 38 Readers
A fork is located, and the horticultural work can commence.
23 Apr 2016 10:43AM (Tournament); 36 Readers
Good approach to 1, which he runs gently, and has a slightly to hampered rush on Y.
23 Apr 2016 10:44AM (Tournament); 36 Readers
Y is sent to 3ft NE of 3, easy rush on K.
23 Apr 2016 10:44AM (Tournament); 38 Readers
R is lying on the N boundary, 3y W of 3.
23 Apr 2016 10:45AM (Tournament); 39 Readers
W of 2, sorry.
23 Apr 2016 10:45AM (Tournament); 38 Readers
Runs 2, and collects R.
23 Apr 2016 10:45AM (Tournament); 37 Readers
Sends R to 4, and has the 4-ball break.
23 Apr 2016 10:46AM (Tournament); 37 Readers
I shall grab a coffee, and update you on the leave, or (rather less likely) a break-down.
23 Apr 2016 10:47AM (Tournament); 36 Readers
I have my cup of hot brown, and can happily report that Sherif Abdelwahab beat Robert Hurst in the plate KO with a sextuple. Hats off to him, that's his first (and he says he last!).
23 Apr 2016 10:51AM (Tournament); 41 Readers
Meanwhile, Reg is making another sextuple leave.
23 Apr 2016 10:56AM (Tournament); 44 Readers
But rushes partner onto the peg!
23 Apr 2016 10:56AM (Tournament); 43 Readers
The mask of immortality slips slightly.
23 Apr 2016 10:56AM (Tournament); 44 Readers
Plays a good roll shot towards c3 to rectify the situation.
23 Apr 2016 10:57AM (Tournament); 41 Readers
K is 7-8ft SW of c3.
23 Apr 2016 10:58AM (Tournament); 40 Readers
Stephen heads to his balls, a rueful look on his face..
23 Apr 2016 10:59AM (Tournament); 43 Readers
Paces between the two before choosing R, the south-easterly of the two.
23 Apr 2016 11:00AM (Tournament); 41 Readers
Casts, then re-stalks.
23 Apr 2016 11:00AM (Tournament); 41 Readers
Misses by some distance to 2y W of c3.
23 Apr 2016 11:01AM (Tournament); 40 Readers
Reg had to pull out a couple of superb shots during his SXP in game 1. He will be hoping for less drama this time.
23 Apr 2016 11:02AM (Tournament); 41 Readers
Sends R to 3y NE of 6, has a rush on U. His signature swipe of the forehead suggests he is not entirely happy with that.
23 Apr 2016 11:03AM (Tournament); 45 Readers
Rushes to 5ft SW of 2b, so the first peel will have to wait.
23 Apr 2016 11:04AM (Tournament); 46 Readers
No rush out of 1, so needs a big roll to get to R / 3.
23 Apr 2016 11:06AM (Tournament); 47 Readers
Not a problem, and 2 is made off peelee, has a 2ft 30deg peel from the NW.
23 Apr 2016 11:09AM (Tournament); 47 Readers
The peel is through by 10y, the rush on R goes to 10y E of c2.
23 Apr 2016 11:10AM (Tournament); 48 Readers
R is sent 3y E of 2b, 7ft rush on Y to 3.
23 Apr 2016 11:10AM (Tournament); 47 Readers
Not a great result, rushes Y to 6in SSE of 2. Calls a referee.
23 Apr 2016 11:11AM (Tournament); 48 Readers
SSE of 3, sorry.
23 Apr 2016 11:11AM (Tournament); 49 Readers
There are 3 kinds of croquet players. Those who can count, and those who can't.
23 Apr 2016 11:11AM (Tournament); 48 Readers
Gets in front of 3, and is considering whether to go hard with hoop-and-roquet.
23 Apr 2016 11:12AM (Tournament); 49 Readers
Not that hard in the end, a Y is rushed to 7y WSW of the hoop.
23 Apr 2016 11:13AM (Tournament); 48 Readers
Sends Y almost next to R, roquets K, and rolls it just NNE of 2b. All the balls in a cluster now.
23 Apr 2016 11:14AM (Tournament); 49 Readers
Rushes R to 4. The lack of a rush out of 3 has delayed the 2b peel.
23 Apr 2016 11:15AM (Tournament); 48 Readers
Runs 4, and rushes R to 3y NNE of peg. Takes-off to within 2ft of peelee.
23 Apr 2016 11:17AM (Tournament); 50 Readers
Has a straight 1ft 2b peel, escape ball (Y) is 3y E.
23 Apr 2016 11:17AM (Tournament); 50 Readers
Peel is through gently, and Y is rushed to 2ft NW of 5. Reg's displeasure is obvious.
23 Apr 2016 11:18AM (Tournament); 53 Readers
Takes off in front of the hoop, runs it with a rush back to peelee.
23 Apr 2016 11:18AM (Tournament); 54 Readers
Rushes to S bndry, 3y E of 1. Sends Y 1ft E on 1b, getting a rush on peelee pointing at S bndry between 5 and 4.
23 Apr 2016 11:20AM (Tournament); 58 Readers
Rushes to 5ft SW of 3b, and takes off to R, which is 4-5y SSE of 6.
23 Apr 2016 11:21AM (Tournament); 55 Readers
Doesn't rush well, and is approaching 6 from 4y SSE.
23 Apr 2016 11:21AM (Tournament); 51 Readers
Runs 6 to the N boundary, and has a rush on R pointing towards c4.
23 Apr 2016 11:22AM (Tournament); 54 Readers
Rushes to peg-high on the E boundary. Peelee is 2ft in front of 3b after the take-off to 6.
23 Apr 2016 11:23AM (Tournament); 53 Readers
Sends R to 6y SE of peg. That might be in the way off the death-roll peel to 1b.
23 Apr 2016 11:24AM (Tournament); 46 Readers
Stephen is reading in the shade of the gazebo to the north of the lawn, only occasionally looking up
23 Apr 2016 11:25AM (Tournament); 45 Readers
The death-roll peel is through by a foot, and the striker's ball only narrowly evades R.
23 Apr 2016 11:25AM (Tournament); 43 Readers
Makes 1b, rushes to 6ft W of 4b. Takes-off to peelee, and sends it toward 4b whilst getting the rush on R to 2b.
23 Apr 2016 11:28AM (Tournament); 46 Readers
A kindly lady has declared her love for me, based on my commentary. Having been informed that donations of cold beer are welcome, she tells me her husband will pay for that.
23 Apr 2016 11:28AM (Tournament); 45 Readers
On the lawn, Reg runs 2b to the boundary, and has a 3y rush pointing towards penult.
23 Apr 2016 11:30AM (Tournament); 48 Readers
Rushes R to 3y S of penult, pass rolls to peelee, which is tapped in front of 4b.
23 Apr 2016 11:30AM (Tournament); 44 Readers
The escape ball is about 7ft WNW.
23 Apr 2016 11:31AM (Tournament); 44 Readers
The peel is through, with a good rush to 3b.
23 Apr 2016 11:31AM (Tournament); 45 Readers
The rush is to 2ft E of the hoop. Not ideal, but OK.
23 Apr 2016 11:32AM (Tournament); 47 Readers
Plays a nice delicate approach shot, and gets a forward rush.
23 Apr 2016 11:32AM (Tournament); 47 Readers
My cold beer has arrived. there is also one for my expert sidekick, 'Pistol' Pete Trimmer.
23 Apr 2016 11:33AM (Tournament); 47 Readers
Meanwhile, Reg rushes peelee to 4ft NW of penult, so has an angle peel going to R, which is between penult and 4b.
23 Apr 2016 11:34AM (Tournament); 44 Readers
Plays the peel straight, jawsing U, has a 10ft rush on R, which he makes to 2y SSW of 4b.
23 Apr 2016 11:36AM (Tournament); 43 Readers
Runs 4b with a rush pointing to the N of penult.
23 Apr 2016 11:36AM (Tournament); 44 Readers
Studies peelee in the jaws.
23 Apr 2016 11:37AM (Tournament); 44 Readers
Rushes to a couple of feet N of penult. Y is 5ft S.
23 Apr 2016 11:38AM (Tournament); 45 Readers
Rush peels too gently, and will need the subsequent croquet shot to be referreed.
23 Apr 2016 11:39AM (Tournament); 46 Readers
Colin Irwin declares it clean. Peelee is 3y NNE of rover, Y is rushed to the N of penult.
23 Apr 2016 11:40AM (Tournament); 51 Readers
Stick in penult!!
23 Apr 2016 11:41AM (Tournament); 53 Readers
Is appealing for a wedge.
23 Apr 2016 11:41AM (Tournament); 53 Readers
Colin is back on the lawn, testing the hoop.
23 Apr 2016 11:42AM (Tournament); 53 Readers
I'm of the opinion that the player should leave the lawn at this point.
23 Apr 2016 11:42AM (Tournament); 53 Readers
Instead, Reg is leaning over the spot, no doubt having a word in Colin's ear.
23 Apr 2016 11:43AM (Tournament); 54 Readers
The testing has gone on for a couple of minutes now.
23 Apr 2016 11:43AM (Tournament); 50 Readers
Still the burly Ulsterman is crouched over the hoop.
23 Apr 2016 11:44AM (Tournament); 50 Readers
No wedge, and Stephen has his chance.
23 Apr 2016 11:44AM (Tournament); 52 Readers
Stephen is shooting at K in the jaws of penult, so Colin is on once more.
23 Apr 2016 11:45AM (Tournament); 54 Readers
Hits, and should have an easy break, with Reg for penult and rover.
23 Apr 2016 11:46AM (Tournament); 53 Readers
Stephen is underway, and in control, playing with R. He is for 2 now.
23 Apr 2016 11:49AM (Tournament); 52 Readers
The choice of leave, should he complete the break, will be interesting to see.
23 Apr 2016 11:50AM (Tournament); 51 Readers
Stephen is making trouble-free progress, and is on his way to hoop 4.
23 Apr 2016 11:52AM (Tournament); 55 Readers
Stephen, rushing to 4, characteristically points to the spot on lawn with a gloved hand.
23 Apr 2016 11:53AM (Tournament); 51 Readers
Just one hand is gloved, Michael Jackson-style.
23 Apr 2016 11:54AM (Tournament); 53 Readers
Stephen makes 5, and sends K to 4ft ESE of 1, then rushes Y all the way to a position 6y SW of 3. Sends it back to 1, so it's a sextuple leave.
23 Apr 2016 11:56AM (Tournament); 53 Readers
A tight crosswire at 1 is payed, the balls about 3 ft from the hoop.
23 Apr 2016 11:58AM (Tournament); 51 Readers
The subsequent rush is not great, to the N boundary, 5ft W of 6.
23 Apr 2016 11:59AM (Tournament); 49 Readers
Rolls Y to 5ft WSW of c3.
23 Apr 2016 11:59AM (Tournament); 48 Readers
He is now back at hoop 1, studying Reg's choice of shot before playing his final stroke.
23 Apr 2016 12:00PM (Tournament); 48 Readers
Taps R to a position 5y NNE of 3.
23 Apr 2016 12:00PM (Tournament); 50 Readers
Black, for penult, is the south-easterly ball.
23 Apr 2016 12:02PM (Tournament); 50 Readers
So Reg will play with that.
23 Apr 2016 12:02PM (Tournament); 51 Readers
Misses Y into c3.
23 Apr 2016 12:03PM (Tournament); 50 Readers
Stephen has made 1 with no rush, so rolls up to K nears 6.
23 Apr 2016 12:06PM (Tournament); 55 Readers
Rushes it to 5y SW of peelee / 2.
23 Apr 2016 12:06PM (Tournament); 53 Readers
A little gentle on the short apprach shot, is through with a very short angled peel to come.
23 Apr 2016 12:07PM (Tournament); 52 Readers
It's through. The rush is fairly long, and goes to the N bndry, 2y E of 2.
23 Apr 2016 12:08PM (Tournament); 53 Readers
A light aircraft passes low overhead, through a now bright blue sky.
23 Apr 2016 12:09PM (Tournament); 52 Readers
Stephen has needed to play a short take-off to 3, and it looks horribly angled.
23 Apr 2016 12:10PM (Tournament); 51 Readers
He lies down to line it up.
23 Apr 2016 12:10PM (Tournament); 51 Readers
Jumps shot...
23 Apr 2016 12:10PM (Tournament); 51 Readers
Bobbles through to applause.
23 Apr 2016 12:10PM (Tournament); 53 Readers
Rushes U to W bndry, a little S of c2.
23 Apr 2016 12:11PM (Tournament); 56 Readers
Peelee is 15y N of 2b, K is 8ft ENE.
23 Apr 2016 12:12PM (Tournament); 59 Readers
U is sent 8ft ESE of 3b, R is rushed to 9ft Ne of the hoop.
23 Apr 2016 12:12PM (Tournament); 59 Readers
Doesn't attempt the peel, settling for position, and a rush on k to 4.
23 Apr 2016 12:13PM (Tournament); 59 Readers
More press-ups for a slightly angled hoop 4 stroke.
23 Apr 2016 12:13PM (Tournament); 56 Readers
Through, and rushes K to 7y N of 3b.
23 Apr 2016 12:14PM (Tournament); 55 Readers
*2b
23 Apr 2016 12:14PM (Tournament); 56 Readers
It is sent to 3b, and peelee is rushed to 2ft and 20deg of 2b.
23 Apr 2016 12:15PM (Tournament); 54 Readers
Peel is through, and U is rushed to 8ft SE of 5.
23 Apr 2016 12:15PM (Tournament); 54 Readers
Another angled hoop, and Stephen is on the ground again.
23 Apr 2016 12:16PM (Tournament); 53 Readers
U is the ball for rover. He needs this.
23 Apr 2016 12:16PM (Tournament); 52 Readers
Sticks, and appeals.
23 Apr 2016 12:16PM (Tournament); 50 Readers
Tony Hall is the referee on this occasion.
23 Apr 2016 12:17PM (Tournament); 51 Readers
My mistake. He is through, and the ref is on for the hampered return roquets.
23 Apr 2016 12:17PM (Tournament); 52 Readers
*Roquet.
23 Apr 2016 12:18PM (Tournament); 52 Readers
Takes off to peelee, which is 5y S of R.
23 Apr 2016 12:18PM (Tournament); 53 Readers
Plays it bravely to get the rush towards 3b, flirting with going off the lawn.
23 Apr 2016 12:18PM (Tournament); 53 Readers
Rushes nicely, and has a straight 3y peel attempt.
23 Apr 2016 12:19PM (Tournament); 53 Readers
Bounces off the E wire.
23 Apr 2016 12:19PM (Tournament); 53 Readers
Stephen has mis-approached 6. Looks impossible.
23 Apr 2016 12:21PM (Tournament); 55 Readers
Calls a ref.
23 Apr 2016 12:22PM (Tournament); 57 Readers
I'm guessing his chosen point of retreat entails a hampered stroke.
23 Apr 2016 12:23PM (Tournament); 57 Readers
Hen shoots off the S boundary, S of 4. Partner is 3ft NE of 4.
23 Apr 2016 12:23PM (Tournament); 58 Readers
U (for rover) is in the middle of the lawn. K (for penult) is nearly on the boundary N of 6.
23 Apr 2016 12:24PM (Tournament); 58 Readers
So penult and rover plays 6 and 3b after two failed sextuples.
23 Apr 2016 12:25PM (Tournament); 55 Readers
Reg shoots at partner with U, misses.
23 Apr 2016 12:26PM (Tournament); 54 Readers
So he is joined up near the middle of the N boundary.
23 Apr 2016 12:26PM (Tournament); 53 Readers
Stephen plays with Y (6), rushing partner to 5y NE of peg. Sends it to 1b, approaching the enemy balls.
23 Apr 2016 12:27PM (Tournament); 56 Readers
Roquets U, and has a slightly angled rush on K to 6.
23 Apr 2016 12:28PM (Tournament); 55 Readers
Backward take-off to the hoop, angled, and Mulliner hesitates.
23 Apr 2016 12:29PM (Tournament); 57 Readers
Sticks in the hoop. That's a disappointing effort given the location of the balls at the start of that turn.
23 Apr 2016 12:29PM (Tournament); 55 Readers
Reg doesn't have the shot at the jaws end ball refereed. He claims the hit.
23 Apr 2016 12:30PM (Tournament); 58 Readers
I am 35 yards away, so can't question Reg's actions there.
23 Apr 2016 12:31PM (Tournament); 60 Readers
I'm sure Stephen would have insisted on a ref if there was any doubt.
23 Apr 2016 12:31PM (Tournament); 61 Readers
The roquet was made with Reg's penult ball, so he makes the hoop, and then rolls past R, which is just N of 2.
23 Apr 2016 12:32PM (Tournament); 59 Readers
Rushes R to 2y S of U, near the middle of the N boundary.
23 Apr 2016 12:33PM (Tournament); 60 Readers
Has a tricky take-off if he wants the rush.
23 Apr 2016 12:33PM (Tournament); 58 Readers
He doesn't risk it, and sends R towards c3, staying S of U.
23 Apr 2016 12:34PM (Tournament); 62 Readers
Will be a long roll south. Does he try for position?
23 Apr 2016 12:35PM (Tournament); 59 Readers
He does. K ends up 6ft NNE of rover, U 5y S.
23 Apr 2016 12:35PM (Tournament); 60 Readers
Creams it though to the S boundary.
23 Apr 2016 12:35PM (Tournament); 60 Readers
Crowd applauds.
23 Apr 2016 12:36PM (Tournament); 62 Readers
Roquets U gently.
23 Apr 2016 12:36PM (Tournament); 62 Readers
Stephen's balls are c. 22 yards apart, near corners 2 and 3.
23 Apr 2016 12:37PM (Tournament); 63 Readers
Reg ponders for some time.
23 Apr 2016 12:38PM (Tournament); 60 Readers
Rolls up to 2y ENE of c1, and lays the rush to rover, having checked that R (near c3), has a shot. Y clearly does.
23 Apr 2016 12:41PM (Tournament); 53 Readers
Stepehn's tuen to ponder at length.
23 Apr 2016 12:43PM (Tournament); 57 Readers
*turn
23 Apr 2016 12:43PM (Tournament); 57 Readers
*Stephen's
23 Apr 2016 12:43PM (Tournament); 57 Readers
Shooting with R, near c3 at partner.
23 Apr 2016 12:43PM (Tournament); 55 Readers
Misses.
23 Apr 2016 12:44PM (Tournament); 55 Readers
Reg rushes to rover, makes the hoop, and has a short rush pointing at c3.
23 Apr 2016 12:46PM (Tournament); 56 Readers
Rushes to 10ft E of the peg.
23 Apr 2016 12:46PM (Tournament); 59 Readers
+13, 2-0.
23 Apr 2016 12:47PM (Tournament); 59 Readers
off to get lunch now
Love tubs xx
23 Apr 2016 12:49PM (Tournament); 59 Readers
My thanks to Christian 'Beaker' Carter for the last comment. It is indeed time for lunch, back soon.
23 Apr 2016 12:51PM (Tournament); 56 Readers
Game 3.
23 Apr 2016 1:39PM (Tournament); 56 Readers
Stephen U super shot, Reg Y to max distance E boundary.
23 Apr 2016 1:39PM (Tournament); 55 Readers
Stephen hits from c3.
23 Apr 2016 1:40PM (Tournament); 56 Readers
8ft rush on partner to 1.
23 Apr 2016 1:40PM (Tournament); 53 Readers
Rushes to 3ft WSW of 1.
23 Apr 2016 1:41PM (Tournament); 52 Readers
Makes 1, rushes U to the middle of the lawn, splits it to , Christs Y.
23 Apr 2016 1:42PM (Tournament); 53 Readers
Short angled hoop 2.
23 Apr 2016 1:42PM (Tournament); 55 Readers
*splits to 3
23 Apr 2016 1:42PM (Tournament); 56 Readers
Runs 2 to the boundary, rushes Y in lawn, and has a controlled 3-ball break.
23 Apr 2016 1:43PM (Tournament); 55 Readers
Stephen is currently approaching 2b.
23 Apr 2016 1:47PM (Tournament); 50 Readers
Reg rarely TPOs, so Stephen can go to 4b with impunity.
23 Apr 2016 1:49PM (Tournament); 52 Readers
His leave has partner, on the W boundary, 14y N, with a rush on Y pointing at K, which is max distance on the W boundary.
23 Apr 2016 1:51PM (Tournament); 54 Readers
A more defensive option than three ducks.
23 Apr 2016 1:51PM (Tournament); 55 Readers
Reg takes R towards c3 to take the long lift.
23 Apr 2016 1:52PM (Tournament); 55 Readers
(Not technically a lift, of course)
23 Apr 2016 1:52PM (Tournament); 55 Readers
Center balls U.
23 Apr 2016 1:53PM (Tournament); 52 Readers
Rushes Y to K, working out if he has a cannon.
23 Apr 2016 1:55PM (Tournament); 60 Readers
He doesn't, and croquet so Y out just a few feet, getting the rush on K to 1.
23 Apr 2016 1:56PM (Tournament); 58 Readers
Rushes to 3ft NE of 1. Has some work to do, with Y just of the boundary, and U just 6ft out of c4.
23 Apr 2016 1:57PM (Tournament); 58 Readers
Takes off in front of 1, hoop shot is too short to get a straight rush to c4.
23 Apr 2016 1:58PM (Tournament); 58 Readers
Rushes K to 10y N of c4, and takes-off short, rush on U is pointing at c1.
23 Apr 2016 1:59PM (Tournament); 59 Readers
The cut rush hits 4, and U ends up 5y WNW of 1.
23 Apr 2016 1:59PM (Tournament); 59 Readers
He is about 13y S of yellow.
23 Apr 2016 2:00PM (Tournament); 59 Readers
Christs Y, U to 3y NE of 3.
23 Apr 2016 2:00PM (Tournament); 59 Readers
So he is approaching 2 from 10 y SW.
23 Apr 2016 2:01PM (Tournament); 58 Readers
Looks pretty good.
23 Apr 2016 2:01PM (Tournament); 59 Readers
Runs 2 to the boundary.
23 Apr 2016 2:02PM (Tournament); 61 Readers
Rushes Y to the middle of the lawn.
23 Apr 2016 2:02PM (Tournament); 60 Readers
Pass rolls Y to 4, is a little short on K.
23 Apr 2016 2:03PM (Tournament); 61 Readers
Cut rushes to N boundary, 3y W of c3.
23 Apr 2016 2:03PM (Tournament); 61 Readers
Sends K in-lawn, gets the rush on U. Makes 3 and has a 4-ball break.
23 Apr 2016 2:04PM (Tournament); 64 Readers
Reg is making another sxp leave.
23 Apr 2016 2:12PM (Tournament); 73 Readers
U is sent 4y WSW of 1, so SM will have a marginally shorter tea-lady.
23 Apr 2016 2:12PM (Tournament); 72 Readers
Reg is content with the crosswiring, and rushes Y to c3.
23 Apr 2016 2:13PM (Tournament); 72 Readers
I should correct my previous remark. The shorter shot would be with Stephen's 4b ball, so in all likelihood, he will have a longer tea-lady.
23 Apr 2016 2:14PM (Tournament); 69 Readers
This Reg chap knows what he's doing...
23 Apr 2016 2:15PM (Tournament); 70 Readers
SM no hesitation in shooting with blue.
23 Apr 2016 2:16PM (Tournament); 68 Readers
Hits to R to loud applause.
23 Apr 2016 2:16PM (Tournament); 69 Readers
R is the forward ball, nearer 3.
23 Apr 2016 2:17PM (Tournament); 68 Readers
Takes off to Y, big split-roll coming up.
23 Apr 2016 2:18PM (Tournament); 70 Readers
Plays it well. U a little long if one is being hyper-critical.
23 Apr 2016 2:18PM (Tournament); 72 Readers
Makes 1 with no forward rush, so another big roll to come.
23 Apr 2016 2:19PM (Tournament); 68 Readers
The lovely Jane Morrison is the latest to buy me a beer, couriered to me by husband Campbell.
23 Apr 2016 2:20PM (Tournament); 65 Readers
The favored brew here is Yuengling (pronounced 'ying-a-ling'
23 Apr 2016 2:21PM (Tournament); 62 Readers
Produced by America's oldest brewery, laughably young at 1829 to us Briton's.
23 Apr 2016 2:22PM (Tournament); 64 Readers
Stephen's roll is successful, and he is now approaching 3 off the peelee.
23 Apr 2016 2:23PM (Tournament); 62 Readers
Runs 3 well, and can gently cut K to peeling position to commence a standard TP.
23 Apr 2016 2:23PM (Tournament); 63 Readers
Jawses partner, and rushes the escape ball 5y ESE of 4, then sends it to 5 getting the rush on Y to 4.
23 Apr 2016 2:24PM (Tournament); 66 Readers
Makes 4, and rushes the reception ball (Y) to 6y ESE of 4b.
23 Apr 2016 2:25PM (Tournament); 67 Readers
Plays a half-rolls ending Y NE of 6, and rush-peels K.
23 Apr 2016 2:25PM (Tournament); 68 Readers
Walks down to 5 to pick his spot for the take-off.
23 Apr 2016 2:25PM (Tournament); 67 Readers
Makes 5, but the rush is to the E boundary, 11y N of c4.
23 Apr 2016 2:27PM (Tournament); 63 Readers
The latest big split roll goes well, and K is played to a peelable position, with a rush on Y to 6.
23 Apr 2016 2:28PM (Tournament); 65 Readers
Makes 6, but has to nudge peelee a little further away.
23 Apr 2016 2:29PM (Tournament); 68 Readers
Peel is through by about 1ft, Y is rushed to the N boundary, and sent to 2b approaching R, which is 5ft E of 1b.
23 Apr 2016 2:30PM (Tournament); 63 Readers
Runs a controlled 1b, and rushes R N of penult, then sends it to 3b, getting the roquet on partner.
23 Apr 2016 2:31PM (Tournament); 65 Readers
R ends up quite far south of 3b, but shouldn't be a problem for the veteran croquet player.
23 Apr 2016 2:32PM (Tournament); 64 Readers
Stephen has 898 ranking triples (or higher-order peeling turns), and that doesn't include anything before 1985. He's been here many times before.
23 Apr 2016 2:33PM (Tournament); 61 Readers
Plays an exquisite croquet stroke after 2b, loading 4b and getting a dolly rush on partner. Now has a very short, straight rover peel going to R.
23 Apr 2016 2:34PM (Tournament); 66 Readers
Jawses it, getting a short cut-rush on R. Makes 3b, with a rush pointing SW.
23 Apr 2016 2:34PM (Tournament); 66 Readers
Sends R to 3y SSE of penult, and rush-peels K.
23 Apr 2016 2:35PM (Tournament); 67 Readers
All peels done, so barring a Maugham error, this should be 1-2.
23 Apr 2016 2:35PM (Tournament); 66 Readers
Takes-off to Y at 4b, makes an easy hoop, and rushes past rover.
23 Apr 2016 2:36PM (Tournament); 66 Readers
Splits it N of rover, getting a rush on K. Rushes K S of R, which he then rushes to just E of penult.
23 Apr 2016 2:37PM (Tournament); 68 Readers
Makes penult, roquets partner after having R, and takes off to Y at rover.
23 Apr 2016 2:38PM (Tournament); 71 Readers
Makes rover with a rush back to partner.
23 Apr 2016 2:39PM (Tournament); 70 Readers
+20 TP, 1-2.
23 Apr 2016 2:39PM (Tournament); 69 Readers
That was a 'perfect' game. Hit-in turn 3, 4b leave, hit-in turn 4, sextuple leave, hit in turn five, triple peel.
23 Apr 2016 2:40PM (Tournament); 67 Readers
Good stuff from these two stalwarts of the game.
23 Apr 2016 2:40PM (Tournament); 63 Readers
It's hot out there, it must be tough.
23 Apr 2016 2:42PM (Tournament); 66 Readers
Game 4
23 Apr 2016 2:42PM (Tournament); 64 Readers
Reg R to 9y N c4. Stephen shoots from A bulk with U, narrowly misses to the right.
23 Apr 2016 2:44PM (Tournament); 64 Readers
It comes back on about 15 inches N of R.
23 Apr 2016 2:44PM (Tournament); 64 Readers
Reg is shooting from A baulk.
23 Apr 2016 2:45PM (Tournament); 63 Readers
Goes through the middle.
23 Apr 2016 2:45PM (Tournament); 62 Readers
Stephen squints in the bright sunlight as Reg places Y, 15 inches N of U. The balls in a neat row now.
23 Apr 2016 2:46PM (Tournament); 61 Readers
Stephen is lining-up the pawnbroker from B baulk.
23 Apr 2016 2:47PM (Tournament); 60 Readers
Hits the southernmost ball.
23 Apr 2016 2:47PM (Tournament); 59 Readers
That's the best ball to hit, gives him room to send Y a decent distance. Ends up 4y SE of 6.
23 Apr 2016 2:48PM (Tournament); 58 Readers
Nudges U in lawn, rushes R to 1. He is playing with K.
23 Apr 2016 2:49PM (Tournament); 60 Readers
Runs 1 too hard, and has no useful rush. Taps R, and split rolls it to 3, getting a northerly rush on K, to applause.
23 Apr 2016 2:50PM (Tournament); 58 Readers
Rushes K in lawn, takes off to Y. A lengthy rush to 2 here.
23 Apr 2016 2:51PM (Tournament); 59 Readers
Plays it well to 3y SW.
23 Apr 2016 2:52PM (Tournament); 59 Readers
Makes 2, Y goes to 4, and U is rushed to the N boundary, sent in lawn going to R at 3.
23 Apr 2016 2:54PM (Tournament); 62 Readers
Through 3, and it's a controlled 4-ball break. I shall update you when the next interesting thing happens.
23 Apr 2016 2:54PM (Tournament); 59 Readers
Stephen is making a 1b leave.
23 Apr 2016 2:59PM (Tournament); 67 Readers
Reg saunters to 1, assesses the situation.
23 Apr 2016 3:01PM (Tournament); 68 Readers
Adjusts his cap, before choosing to play Y, the NW ball.
23 Apr 2016 3:02PM (Tournament); 69 Readers
Misses.
23 Apr 2016 3:02PM (Tournament); 71 Readers
Stephen play Y, leaving it near 3. Rushes partner to the S boundary, and send it to 2 approaching R at 1.
23 Apr 2016 3:04PM (Tournament); 69 Readers
Has a forward rush, and so can make 2 off peelee, with escape ball in situ.
23 Apr 2016 3:05PM (Tournament); 70 Readers
Makes 2, and is lining-up a short peel.
23 Apr 2016 3:06PM (Tournament); 70 Readers
Peels well, to 8y N of 2b. Rushes the escape ball (R) to the N boundary, and splits it to 2b going 3.
23 Apr 2016 3:07PM (Tournament); 70 Readers
Makes 3 and rushes Y to peg high, 5y off the W boundary.
23 Apr 2016 3:07PM (Tournament); 72 Readers
Y is croqueted to 5y ESE of 1b, gets the rush on partner.
23 Apr 2016 3:08PM (Tournament); 72 Readers
Rushes well, but the peel is dribbly, and it ends up just out of the jaws, and the striker's ball is perilously close to peelee, such that his rush on R to 4 is badly hampered.
23 Apr 2016 3:09PM (Tournament); 73 Readers
Referee declares the rush clean, and SM has an easy hoop 4.
23 Apr 2016 3:10PM (Tournament); 73 Readers
Rushes R W of 2b, and sends it to 3b getting on peelee.
23 Apr 2016 3:12PM (Tournament); 72 Readers
Taps peelee, and has a short angled peel, with his escape ball 5-6y ESE.
23 Apr 2016 3:12PM (Tournament); 72 Readers
Fails the peel, but has a good rush on Y to 5.
23 Apr 2016 3:13PM (Tournament); 71 Readers
Makes 5, and stops to think.
23 Apr 2016 3:13PM (Tournament); 71 Readers
Rushes Y to c1, then sends it to the SE of 1b. Just about rush-peels K. Hard to see if it is through. He is taking-off from the N side of it to R.
23 Apr 2016 3:15PM (Tournament); 70 Readers
Peel is definitely through now, but the rush on R, near 3b to 6, is a tough one.
23 Apr 2016 3:16PM (Tournament); 69 Readers
Over-cuts it, and needs to approach 6 from 10ft E of the peg. Plays a very good approach shot, and runs 6 to the N boundary.
23 Apr 2016 3:17PM (Tournament); 67 Readers
Cut rushes R to a few feet off the middle of S boundary, sends it near the poet getting on peelee.
23 Apr 2016 3:18PM (Tournament); 69 Readers
Rushes peelee towards 3b, but it's short. Long-take off to Y near 1b.
23 Apr 2016 3:18PM (Tournament); 69 Readers
Stephen plays too quickly for me to have time to think up comedy quips, so apologies if the commentary is rather dry right now.
23 Apr 2016 3:19PM (Tournament); 69 Readers
Thick take off, and rushes Y to a good position N of 1b.
23 Apr 2016 3:19PM (Tournament); 70 Readers
This is two points better than his last sxp attempt already, Duncan Reeve remarks.
23 Apr 2016 3:20PM (Tournament); 71 Readers
Rushes Y S after 1b, and is taking on a big shot now - peeling 3b going to a 2b reception ball that is 4ft W of the peg.
23 Apr 2016 3:21PM (Tournament); 71 Readers
Reeve complains that the beer is too cold.
23 Apr 2016 3:21PM (Tournament); 71 Readers
Jawses it, and has a good rush to 2b.
23 Apr 2016 3:22PM (Tournament); 73 Readers
Has an angled hoop no though despite a good rush.
23 Apr 2016 3:23PM (Tournament); 75 Readers
Through, with a fist-pump.
23 Apr 2016 3:23PM (Tournament); 76 Readers
Rushes R to 4ft SW of 3b, which is perplexing, or a mistake.
23 Apr 2016 3:24PM (Tournament); 76 Readers
Sends R 3y ENE of 3b, then rush peels K hard to the NW of 4b.
23 Apr 2016 3:25PM (Tournament); 77 Readers
Has 20 yard angled rush on Y to make 3b.
23 Apr 2016 3:25PM (Tournament); 78 Readers
Rushes Y to 5ft W of c4.
23 Apr 2016 3:26PM (Tournament); 77 Readers
Very nice approach shot, and Y is nice and long.
23 Apr 2016 3:27PM (Tournament); 77 Readers
Runs the hoop softly to get a north-easterly rush on R.
23 Apr 2016 3:27PM (Tournament); 78 Readers
Peelee is 3ft west of 4b ahead of the straight triple. Y is 5y SSE.
23 Apr 2016 3:28PM (Tournament); 78 Readers
Sends R 3y WNW of 4b, then send Y 4ft NE of 4b.
23 Apr 2016 3:29PM (Tournament); 81 Readers
Rushes peelee into position.
23 Apr 2016 3:29PM (Tournament); 81 Readers
Peel is through, with SB jawsed.
23 Apr 2016 3:29PM (Tournament); 80 Readers
The crowd remark that SM likes a bombard in this situation, which he does take on, and plays it very well.
23 Apr 2016 3:30PM (Tournament); 80 Readers
Peelee is 2ft NE of penult.
23 Apr 2016 3:30PM (Tournament); 81 Readers
Sends R 3y SE of penult, and rushes peelee to a slightly angled position.
23 Apr 2016 3:31PM (Tournament); 82 Readers
Peels K to 5y NNW of rover, jawsing U.
23 Apr 2016 3:31PM (Tournament); 84 Readers
Rushes R to c3 after the hoop. Y is lying 8ft NW of 4b.
23 Apr 2016 3:32PM (Tournament); 82 Readers
R into the middle of the lawn, gets a useful rush on Y.
23 Apr 2016 3:32PM (Tournament); 86 Readers
Rushes to near K, has a good rush, but no ball S of rover.
23 Apr 2016 3:33PM (Tournament); 85 Readers
Has a 2ft slightly angled straight rover peel.
23 Apr 2016 3:33PM (Tournament); 85 Readers
Through, jawsing SB.
23 Apr 2016 3:33PM (Tournament); 85 Readers
Another bombard?
23 Apr 2016 3:34PM (Tournament); 83 Readers
No.
23 Apr 2016 3:34PM (Tournament); 85 Readers
Plays Y, rushes K to 6ft W of peg.
23 Apr 2016 3:34PM (Tournament); 86 Readers
+26 sxp. Superb.
23 Apr 2016 3:35PM (Tournament); 86 Readers
2-2.
23 Apr 2016 3:35PM (Tournament); 86 Readers
Game 5.
23 Apr 2016 3:40PM (Tournament); 67 Readers
A variation. Stephen U supershot, Reg plays R to c2, having seen Stephen hit both max distance shots so far.
23 Apr 2016 3:41PM (Tournament); 66 Readers
Stephen center balls R.
23 Apr 2016 3:41PM (Tournament); 66 Readers
Rolls R 7ft N of 1, longish rush on U.
23 Apr 2016 3:42PM (Tournament); 70 Readers
Rushes well to 4ft SE of 1.
23 Apr 2016 3:42PM (Tournament); 71 Readers
Makes 1 with two reception balls.
23 Apr 2016 3:43PM (Tournament); 74 Readers
Didn't go hard at that, so has no rush S to give him room for the next croquet stroke.
23 Apr 2016 3:43PM (Tournament); 74 Readers
Gentle rush, and R is left 8ft NNW of 1 as he rushes partner (U) to 2.
23 Apr 2016 3:44PM (Tournament); 72 Readers
Runs 2 to the boundary, and has a rush SW.
23 Apr 2016 3:45PM (Tournament); 73 Readers
Cut rushes to 9y N of 1, so it will need a backward take-off to get the rush on R to 3.
23 Apr 2016 3:46PM (Tournament); 78 Readers
Reg does not look relaxed, remarks the recently defeated Duncan Reeve.
23 Apr 2016 3:46PM (Tournament); 78 Readers
SM rushes R 4y NNE of 3.
23 Apr 2016 3:47PM (Tournament); 77 Readers
Rushes R to 3y W of U, rushes U nicely to 4, and runs the hoop to the boundary.
23 Apr 2016 3:49PM (Tournament); 75 Readers
Is Stephen now the favorite, muses the crowd?
23 Apr 2016 3:49PM (Tournament); 72 Readers
Well in control after 5.
23 Apr 2016 3:51PM (Tournament); 78 Readers
1991 is the last time the final guaranteed a new champion, James Hopgood informs me. Will that be the situation here?
23 Apr 2016 3:53PM (Tournament); 79 Readers
Perhaps we are getting ahead of ourselves....
23 Apr 2016 3:53PM (Tournament); 81 Readers
SM has run 2b with full control.
23 Apr 2016 3:53PM (Tournament); 82 Readers
Takes partner to 3b, so it's the same leave as game 3, backward ball with a rush on enemy, 10y N of c4, to his partner ball, which is max distance on the W boundary.
23 Apr 2016 3:57PM (Tournament); 81 Readers
Absolutely critical lift shot.
23 Apr 2016 3:57PM (Tournament); 85 Readers
Taking the long lift shot.
23 Apr 2016 3:58PM (Tournament); 84 Readers
('Lift')
23 Apr 2016 3:58PM (Tournament); 83 Readers
Narrowly misses the boundary ball to the right.
23 Apr 2016 3:59PM (Tournament); 85 Readers
Stephen needs to pick-up a tricky TP to make the final.
23 Apr 2016 3:59PM (Tournament); 88 Readers
Rushes R to 4ft N of K on the W boundary.
23 Apr 2016 4:00PM (Tournament); 84 Readers
Doesn't play the croquet stroke well, and his rush on K is pointing 10y N of c4, rather than at 1.
23 Apr 2016 4:01PM (Tournament); 85 Readers
Are nerves getting to him, Pete Trimmer asks?
23 Apr 2016 4:01PM (Tournament); 85 Readers
Rushes to a ft W of c4. Stephen runs to mark it on, and looks to see if he has a cannon with Y.
23 Apr 2016 4:02PM (Tournament); 88 Readers
No cannon, a few inches W of Y.
23 Apr 2016 4:03PM (Tournament); 89 Readers
Now has a very short cut rush from c4 to 1.
23 Apr 2016 4:04PM (Tournament); 88 Readers
4ft ESE of 1.
23 Apr 2016 4:04PM (Tournament); 90 Readers
Gets a good position, hesitates though.
23 Apr 2016 4:04PM (Tournament); 90 Readers
Not playing at his usual bustling pace.
23 Apr 2016 4:05PM (Tournament); 90 Readers
Rushes Y 6y N of c1. Red is just in-lawn, a little N of the middle of W boundary.
23 Apr 2016 4:05PM (Tournament); 93 Readers
Y is rather deep on the croquet stroke, 5y NE of 3. Rushes R well to 2.
23 Apr 2016 4:06PM (Tournament); 91 Readers
Runs 2, and rushes the reception ball to the middle of the S boundary.
23 Apr 2016 4:07PM (Tournament); 93 Readers
Split rolls R to N of 4 going to partner (K) near c4.
23 Apr 2016 4:08PM (Tournament); 93 Readers
Y is not good, so a roll up to get peelee near 4b is risky.
23 Apr 2016 4:09PM (Tournament); 91 Readers
K goes past 4b, and the roquet on Y is 6y.
23 Apr 2016 4:09PM (Tournament); 90 Readers
Snicks it, long appraich to 3...
23 Apr 2016 4:09PM (Tournament); 90 Readers
Plays it very well, and is through.
23 Apr 2016 4:10PM (Tournament); 91 Readers
The last time Reg lost a Bo5 from 2-0 up is at the Coles in 2001, against.....Stephen Mulliner.
23 Apr 2016 4:11PM (Tournament); 89 Readers
Stats supplied by C Clarke / J Hopgood.
23 Apr 2016 4:11PM (Tournament); 90 Readers
Stephen is taking off from partner 6ft E of 4b to the pioneer, R, at 4.
23 Apr 2016 4:12PM (Tournament); 92 Readers
Sends red up to 4b after 4, going to Y at 5.
23 Apr 2016 4:12PM (Tournament); 94 Readers
Makes 5 and rushes Y to the E boundary, 3y S of c3.
23 Apr 2016 4:13PM (Tournament); 93 Readers
Peelee is 5ft E of 4b, R is 8ft WNW
23 Apr 2016 4:14PM (Tournament); 93 Readers
Y is sent to 1b, peelee rushed to a somewhat angled position.
23 Apr 2016 4:14PM (Tournament); 95 Readers
The peel is through, good rush on R to 6.
23 Apr 2016 4:15PM (Tournament); 96 Readers
Makes 6, and rushes R to c3.
23 Apr 2016 4:16PM (Tournament); 97 Readers
Stephen would finish this TP 90%+ of the time from here in normal circumstances. These aren't normal circumstances, however...
23 Apr 2016 4:17PM (Tournament); 96 Readers
K and R both sent to 2b, as SM goes to Y at 1b.
23 Apr 2016 4:18PM (Tournament); 99 Readers
Makes 1b with no rush, so it's a split roll to come.
23 Apr 2016 4:18PM (Tournament); 97 Readers
Executed well, R is rushed to the W of K, then sent toward Y, W of 3b. Makes 2b off peelee, which is then sent to penult.
23 Apr 2016 4:20PM (Tournament); 95 Readers
R sent to 4b, makes 3b off Y.
23 Apr 2016 4:21PM (Tournament); 96 Readers
No rush, so another big roll.
23 Apr 2016 4:21PM (Tournament); 97 Readers
Played well, rushes K to peeling position at penult. His 4b pioneer (R), is 6y SW of 4b.
23 Apr 2016 4:22PM (Tournament); 99 Readers
Peels by 2y, gets a good rush on R.
23 Apr 2016 4:23PM (Tournament); 99 Readers
Reg is packing his bags. Psychological tricks?
23 Apr 2016 4:23PM (Tournament); 98 Readers
SM makes 4b, rushes R SW, send it to rover, rushes peelee N.
23 Apr 2016 4:24PM (Tournament); 96 Readers
Has a split drive to send K to rover getting on Y, which is 5ft W of penult.
23 Apr 2016 4:24PM (Tournament); 101 Readers
K hits rover.
23 Apr 2016 4:25PM (Tournament); 101 Readers
Makes penult with no forward rush.
23 Apr 2016 4:25PM (Tournament); 101 Readers
Christian Carter points out that Reg has not taken croquet since game 3.
23 Apr 2016 4:26PM (Tournament); 103 Readers
Good roll sending Y deep, sends R E, and has a short, slightly angled peel.
23 Apr 2016 4:27PM (Tournament); 105 Readers
Peel is through, roquets R.
23 Apr 2016 4:27PM (Tournament); 105 Readers
Takes of to Y (nearly goes off!)
23 Apr 2016 4:27PM (Tournament); 106 Readers
Rushes towards K.
23 Apr 2016 4:27PM (Tournament); 106 Readers
K is rushed to 4ft Ne of peg.
23 Apr 2016 4:28PM (Tournament); 105 Readers
+26 TP, 3-2 to Stephen.
23 Apr 2016 4:28PM (Tournament); 107 Readers
Tremendous performance, excellent match.
23 Apr 2016 4:29PM (Tournament); 102 Readers
Thanks for your company.
23 Apr 2016 4:29PM (Tournament); 97 Readers
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