Morning Coffee: Melville Over Verge in Australian GC Championship

The Sunshine Coast Daily has reported that Margaret Melville took down reigning world champion Alix Verge 7-3 6-7 7-5 in the Australian Women's Single GC final at the Headland Buderim Croquet Club.

Apparently, ESPN is aware that mallet sports exist. They offered up this piece on the croquet variant of roque. Interesting timing -- the "world-wide leader" just missed a chance to cover a once every 3.5 years world championship to report on the near-extinction of roque. Oh well, keep your eyes open.

Speaking of variants, Croquet World has an in-depth piece on the upcoming Gateball championships in Shanghai, China. The article indicates that 600 players will participate. Very impressive. As for the game itself, I've never played, but I have to say those are some wide wickets.

Lots of positive stats to report on the Croquet Network front. For one, the Facebook group just edged over 100 members. Thank you to all of the people that "like" the group. In addition, the last digital edition of the magazine is closing in on 500 views, which by far surpasses the previous record of 279 for the College Nationals issue. And finally, the website itself is experiencing record setting uniques and views. The MacRobertson Shield was definitely a big driver, but it looks like more people are tuning in overall as the traffic increase has been steady (see chart).

2010 USCA Western Regionals (Final Day)

KIRKLAND, WASHINGTON -- I have limited results as I played more than I expected today. Steve Scalpone won the championship flight singles event and I actually won the first flight singles. I am not sure of the placings in the championship flight, so I'll post those when available, but first flight worked out like this:

1. Dylan Goodwin
2. Peter Bach
3. Ed Priest
4. Gary Anderson
5. Steve Mossbrook

PHOTO GALLERY | ALL PHOTOS

2010 USCA Western Regionals (Day Three)

KIRKLAND, WASHINGTON -- Day three brought beautiful blue skies and temperatures that ranged from cool to pleasantly warm when the sun was able to peak through the scattered clouds. There is no photo gallery today as I played in each slot today. I was also unable to get a photo of the master scoresheet. The only real croquet info I have is the line-ups for first flight elimination play:

Round One - 4/5 Play-in Game
Steve Mossbrook vs Dylan Goodwin

Round Two - Semifinals
Peter Bach vs Gary Anderson
Ed Priest vs Mossbrook/Goodwin winner

First Flight Championship Game

Look for better information tomorrow. I'll have more time after play concludes to make sure I have results.

2010 USCA Western Regionals (Day Two)

Ed Priest approaches hoop twoKIRKLAND, WASHINGTON -- Singles play started yesterday at the USCA Western Regionals in Kirkland under partly cloudy skies. There were clouds in the area, but the weather worked out as it stayed dry all day. Cool enough for two shirts most of the day.

DAY TWO PHOTO GALLERY

UNOFFICIAL STANDINGS (Scoresheet)

Championship Flight
Steve Scalpone 3-0
Jim Butts 3-0
Cameron Guernsey 2-1
Ron Hendry 1-2
Jim Herzog 0-3
Patrick Sweeney 0-3

First Flight
Ed Priest 3-1
Peter Bach 2-1
Dylan Goodwin 2-1
Gary Anderson 1-2
Steve Mossbrook 0-3

2010 USCA Western Regionals (Day One)

Peter Bach on court two

KIRKLAND, WASHINGTON -- It was a brisk day with a little bit of rain falling now and then for the first day of the USCA'S Western Regionals. The event is being hosted by the Puget Sound Croquet Club which has three courts available for play. The first day featured five rounds of hi-lo waterford doubles. Singles play is scheduled to be mixed in as well today. There are six players in the championship flight and five players in first flight.

FIRST DAY PHOTOS

Championship Flight:
Jim Butts (-0.5)
Cameron Guernsey (0.5)
Ron Hendry (-0.5)
Jim Herzog (0.5)
Steve Scalpone (-0.5)
Patrick John Sweeney

First Flight:
Gary Anderson (5)
Peter Bach (4)
Dylan Goodwin (10)
Steve Mossbrook (4)
Ed Priest (4.5)

Great Britain Wins The MacRobertson Shield

Great Britain secured their seventh straight MacRobertson Shield with Keith Aiton's win this morning over Australia's Martin Clarke Aiton -16,  +19tp,  +26tp. The current score is 12-5 with four matches left to play.

New Zealand secured second place yesterday against the United States. The Americans took two of three matches today and the final test score is NZ 15, US 5.

Placings will be as follows:

1. Great Britain
2. New Zealand
3. United States
4. Australia

Photos from Adrian Wadley

Morning Coffee: MacRob Drama, Nine-Wicket and the Weeds Mallet

Coffee in the evening? Why not?

The truth is this is only the second team croquet event that I've covered with last December's Solomon Trophy being the first. I think I may be spoiled because that event and this year's MacRobertson Shield have been wildly captivating.

Click to read more ...

August / September Croquet Network Magazine In Print

The August / September 2010 issue of Croquet Network magazine is now available in print:

http://www.magcloud.com/browse/Issue/103677