2011 USCA Nine-Wicket Nationals-Day Three Report

PHOTO GALLERY

SHAWNEE, KS -- The final day of playoff action at the Nine Wicket Nationals in Kansas City saw steady rain, but the players battled through. In championship singles, Matt Smith knocked of Billy Bob Breeden to make the final, while Matt Baird took out George Cochran to advance.

In the final match, Baird got the first break but stuffed number five. That let Smith set up his break which he ran all the way out to the penultimate wicket. He then turned it over to his partner and finished with a double peel to claim the 2011 singles national championship.

In doubles championship play, Matt Baird and Jeff Caldwell battled Billy Bob Breeden and Matt Griffith in the final. Baird and Caldwell took a tight match 32-25 to claim the doubles title.

In the first flight singles playoff, #4 seed Jason Cole knocked off #1 Greg Adams in the semifinals. In the other semi-final, #2 Barry Dupuy beat #4 Ron Millican to advance. Cole won the final over Dupuy to claim the first flight national championship.

Video report will be available later today.

2011 USCA Nine-Wicket Nationals-Day Two Report

DAY TWO PHOTO GALLERY

The rain hit Nine-Wicket Nationals on Saturday, but play continued on with both championship and first flight doubles action. First flight wrapped up their segment with Greg Adams and Troy White taking first place in the round-robin format. Ron and Debbie Millican took second place in the flight.

This morning is playoff and championship action, but there is steady rain falling, likely making for miserable condition's at the courts in Shawnee, Kansas. Championship singles semi-finals were scheduled to start at 8:00 a.m. with Matt Smith set to face Billy Bob Breeden and Matt Baird slated to take on reigning champ George Cochran.

Four teams of eight advanced to the knockout in championship doubles on day two. The semi-finals were played mid-afternoon and Billy Bob Breeden and Matt Griffith knocked off Matt Smith and Nick Zink 31-23 to advance to today's final against Matt Baird and Jeff Caldwell. Baird and Caldwell advanced by defeating Bill Martin and John Warlick 29-26.

The first flight singles playoff is also scheduled for the morning with Greg Adams taking on Jason Cole and Barry Dupuy facing off against Ron Millican.

2011 USCA Nine-Wicket Nationals-Day One Report

Day One Photo Gallery

Day one was played under gray skies and cool conditions, but for the most part rain was avoided. Championship singles block play concluded and round one of the playoffs was held at the end of the day (results below). Saturday starts doubles play.

Quarterfinals
Matt Smith 32-17 over Don Brooks
Billy Bob Breeden 28-25 over Jeff Caldwell

Matt Baird 27-26 over Greg Clouse
George Cochran 32-26 over Matt Griffith

Semi-Final Matchups
Matt Smith vs Billy Bob Breeden
Matt Baird vs George Cochran

British Open Update: Bamford Will Battle Fulford

Reg Bamford defeated James Death +26sxp, +17tp, -19tp, +17tp to advance to final tomorrow to play Robert Fulford. Fulford advanced with a +26sxp -20tp +26sxp +26 win over Keith Aiton.

The doubles championship will take place after the singles final. The matchup will be Rutger Beijderwellen and Reg Bamford versus Mark Avery and David Maugham.

Full bracket available on the Croquet Association website:
http://www.croquet.org.uk/?p=news/newsdb.asp&NewsID=3839

British Open Update: Singles Playoff Bracket

The open swiss is complete and the full bracket can be found here:

https://www.croquet.org.uk/?p=news/newsdb.asp&NewsID=3839

Full list of players that made the knockout (wins/games):

Open Swiss 5/5 Reg Bamford
Open Swiss 5/6 Ben Rothman
Open Swiss 5/6 Mark Avery
Open Swiss 5/6 Robert Fulford
Open Swiss 5/6 Samir Patel
Open Swiss 5/7 Danny Huneycutt
Open Swiss 5/7 David Maugham
Open Swiss 5/7 Jamie Burch
Open Swiss 5/7 Jeff Soo
Open Swiss 5/7 Kevin Beard
Open Swiss 5/7 Robin Brown
Open Swiss 5/7 Rutger Beijderwellen
Open Swiss 5/8 Jeff Dawson
Open Swiss 5/8 Keith Aiton
Open Swiss 5/8 Miranda Morgan
Open Swiss 5/8 Paddy Chapman
Open Swiss 5/8 Stephen Mulliner
Open Swiss 5/9 Brian Cumming
Open Swiss 5/9 Chris Patmore
Open Swiss 5/9 Hamish McIntosh
Open Swiss 5/9 James Death
Open Swiss 5/9 Martin French
Open Swiss 5/9 Tim Wilkins
Open Swiss 5/10 Andrew Johnston
Open Swiss 5/10 Dave Kibble
Open Swiss 5/10 David Goacher
Open Swiss 5/10 Dennis Bulloch
Open Swiss 5/10 James Hopgood
Open Swiss 5/10 Jim Bast
Open Swiss 5/10 Nick Parish

British Open Update: Singles Playoff Qualifiers

With the open swiss still in progress, the following twelve players have qualified for the singles knockout at the British Open:

5/5 Reg Bamford
5/6 Ben Rothman
5/6 Mark Avery
5/6 Robert Fulford
5/6 Samir Patel
5/7 Danny Huneycutt
5/7 David Maugham
5/7 Jamie Burch
5/7 Jeff Soo
5/7 Kevin Beard
5/7 Robin Brown
5/7 Rutger Beijderwellen

More results available on the Croquet Association website:
http://www.croquet.org.uk/?p=news/newsdb.asp&NewsID=3790

Solomon Trophy: Final Day Open Thread

The U.S. now leads 9-6 and is two wins away from overall victory. The U.S. picked up the ninth match when Jim Bast defeated Ian Lines +25, +3. Great Britain is still hanging tough though as David Maugham took down Danny Huneycutt +13TP, +3. Updates the rest of the day will be posted in the comments of this thread. Add your own commentary if you so desire.

US 8-5: BURRIDGE (GB) beat SOO (US) +17,+15
US 9-5: BAST (US) beats LINES (GB) +25,+3
US 9-6: MAUGHAM (GB) vs HUNEYCUTT (US) +13TP, +3
ROTHMAN (US) vs MULLINER (GB) +13
LE MOIGNAN (GB) vs GRIMSLEY (US) +3
PATEL (GB) vs PATMORE (US) +7