The 2018 NZ AC Open was played at United and Fendalton Park croquet clubs. The doubles were covered in a previous post.  There were 38 entries in the singles that started with four blocks that were played from Tuesday 23  to Thursday 25 January. The top four from each block played in the knockout with the rest qualifying for the Heenan Plate. Every round of the knockout was played as best-of-three matches. Of the 35 games played in the knockout there were only three triple-peels which reflects the challenging lawns and hoops prepared by  the manager, Chris Clarke. Lena Metcalf was at United every day looking after catering.

Edward Wilson from Australia won the 2018 New Zealand AC Open today at United Croquet Club beating Stephen Mulliner of England in a 2-0 final. Edward and Stephen were runners-up in  the doubles. See the previous post for more on the doubles.

The other semi-finalists were Greg Bryant (West Cost) and Jenny Clarke (United).

The Heenan Plate (for players who did not make the knockout) was won by John Christie (Thames Valley) with Josh Freeth (Auckland and ex United) runner-up.

Alain Giraud (England) won the Bronze Medal with Brian Cumming (Canada) runner-up.  The Bronze Medal is a new event for players eliminated from the knockout.

The Charles Jones Slaver, for the best player with scratch or greater handicap, was won by Lindsay David (Australia).

Lindsay David, winner of the Charles Jones Salver for the best scratch and over player, presented by Charles’ sister

Chris Clarke, manager, and Dr Annie Henry, CNZ President, who presented the prizes

Edward Wilson & Stephen Mulliner, Doubles runners-up

Chris Shilling & Sam Murray, doubles winners

Greg Bryant in the semi-final

Edward Wilson, setting hoops mid tournament

Stephen Mulliner

Josh Freeth, plate runner-up

John Christie, plate winner

Stephen Mulliner, Open runner-up

Semi-finalists, Greg Bryant, Stephen Mulliner (runner-up), Edward Wilson (winner) and Jenny Clarke

Chris Shilling playing in the doubles final

Edward Wilson playing in the doubles final

Edward Wilson, Winner of the NZ Open

Alain Giraud, winner of the Bronze Medal

Chris Shilling (Otago) and Sam Murray (Scotland) won a close final game over Stephen Mulliner (England) and Edward Wilson (Australia) to win the NZ Open Doubles. The final was a best-of-three and Chris and Sam won the first game. After time was called on the second game, Stephen and Edward were one hoop ahead. Sam took the longer shot and pegged out to equalise a resulting with two balls off the lawn. After Stephen played, Chris got the roquet and made his hoop the take the game and the championship.

Ian Burridge (Wales) and Alain Giraud (England) won the Plate Knockout with Greg Bryant (West coast ) and Felix Webby (Taranaki) runners-up.

The singles will start Tuesday. There will be block play at United and Fendalton Park Tuesday 23 to Thursday 25 January followed by the main knockout and the plate.

All results and commentaries are on CroquetScores.

The CCA AC Grade Champs was played on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018. After the recent rain, Barrington Park Croquet Club was unplayable, so it was played at United Croquet Club.

The first day was damp with wet lawns, but Sunday was fine and hot with the lawns drying out and speeding up significantly.

There were 5 entries in the 0-4 grade that was played as a single round robin. John Yarrall, who won all his games won the grade. Leo van Oosten and Tony O’Donnell (who also managed the tournament) won two games, but Leo was runner-up on net points. Full results are on CroquetScores.

There were five entries in the 9-14 block but there was one withdrawal after the first day. Lyn Dawson was the winner with three wins and Neville Turner runner-up with two wins. Full results are on CroquetScores.

There were insufficient entries for the other grades to be run.

The CCA AC Open doubles was played at St James Park Croquet Club on Friday 12 January 2018. There were four pairs in the tournament managed by Rodger Lane. It was played as a single round robin.

Peter Parkinson & Peter Couch were unbeaten to win. John Hearnshaw & Ian Campbell were runners-up with two wins.

Full details are on CroquetScores.

The CCA AC Grade Champs started on Saturday and will finish on Sunday. After the recent rain, Barrington Park Croquet Club was unplayable, so it is being played at United.

Results for the 0-4 block are here and the 9-14 block are here. Both blocks had 5 entries, but Maurice Cook has had to withdraw from the 9-14 block. Final results will be published tomorrow.

Peter Parkinson (Rangiora) won the 2018 CCA AC Open Singles that was played at St James Park croquet club Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 January 2018. Marguaritte Rogers (St James Park) was runner up, losing only to Peter. There were eight players with handicaps from -2.5 to +2.5. The manager was Rodger Lane.

The start on Saturday was late as the heavy rain the day before had flooded the lawns and hoop setting had to be deferred until Saturday morning.

Most players found the tight hoops a challenge as well as the wind on Saturday. Sunday was a perfect day for croquet with the lawns drying out and becoming faster.

Full results are on Croquet Scores at https://croquetscores.com/2018/ac/canterbury-croquet-assn-open/block-a

(CCA AC Open page)

The CCA AC Open Doubles will be played at St James on Friday 12 January 2018.

Other tournaments

The CCA AC Grade Singles will be played at Barrington Park Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 January 2018.

The NZ Open will be played at United Saturday 20 to Sunday 28 January 2018.

Entries are open for the following competitions starting in January 2018:

CCA AC Open Singles Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 January at St James Park

CCA AC Open Doubles Thursday 11 and Friday 12 January at St James Park

CCA AC Grades Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 January at Barrington and Cashmere

CCA Carol Hayward on six Tuesdays 30 January to 13 March at United and Elmwood.

Click on the links above for more details and for entry forms.