Chris Clarke won his second world championship by defeating Stephen Mulliner in four games this past weekend in Christchurch, New Zealand. Clarke last won in 1995.
2008 Finals Scores:
Chris Clarke (England) bt Stephen Mulliner (England) 9-26tp, 26-0tp, 26-17, 26-14
Story Link: press.co.nz
Five from England advance
RESULTS (number denotes seed)
8-Stephen Mulliner (England) bt Michael Wright (NZ) 26-0 , 22-26, 26-20
Shane Davis (NZ) bt Ian Lines (England) 19-26, 26-13, 26-5
5-David Maugham (England) bt Paddy Chapman (NZ) 26tp-22 26tp-1
Aaron Westerby (NZ) bt 4-Rutger Beijderwellen (Netherlands) 1-26 26tp-9 26-13
3-Robert Fulford (England) bt Paul Skinley (NZ) 26-0 26-9
6-Keith Aiton (Scotland) bt Ian Dumergue (Australia) 26-0 26-10
7-James Death (England) bt Samir Patel (England) 26-7 26tp-22
2-Chris Clarke (England) bt Bob Jackson (NZ) 26-7 26-22
From the Croquet World forum.
Shane Davis (NZ) bt 1-Reg Bamford (South Africa) 26-18 4-26 26tp-9
Ian Lines (England) bt Greg Bryant (NZ) 26-20 20-19
Michael Wright (NZ) bt Peter Landrebe (Australia) 0-26tp 26-23 26-11
8-Stephen Mulliner (England) bt Robert Lowe (NZ) 18-26, 26-22, 26-18
5-David Maugham (England) bt David Openshaw (England) 1-26 26tp-1 26-9
Paddy Chapman (NZ) bt Leo McBride (Canada) 26tp-16 10-26 26-21
Aaron Westerby (NZ) bt Ian Burridge (England) 26-8 26-4
4-Rutger Beijderwellen (Netherlands) bt Phillip Drew (NZ) 26stp-11 26tp-8
3-Robert Fulford (England) bt AJ Reid (NZ) 26tp-0 26tp-0
6-Keith Aiton (Scotland) bt Toby Garrison (NZ) 12-26 26-4 26-15
7-James Death (England) bt Marcus Evans (England) 26-10 26-4
Samir Patel (England) bt Bruce Fleming (Australia) 26-9, 26-10
Bob Jackson (NZ) bt Jonathan Kirby (Scotland) 26-15 26-14
Ian Dumergue (Australia) bt Jenny Clarke (NZ) 26-21, 10-26, 23-22
Paul Skinley (New Zealand) bt John Gibbons (England) 23-26, 26-18, 11-8
2-Chris Clarke (England) bt Andrew Johnston (Ireland) 26-3, 26-2
QUALIFIERS FOR THE 32-PLAYER KNOCKOUT
(top four from each block in order):
Block A:
Reg Bamford (South Africa) Jonathan Kirby (Scotland), Ian Lines (England) AJ Reid (NZ)
Block B:
Chris Clarke (England) John Gibbons (England) Robert Lowe (NZ)Andrew Johnston (Ireland)
Block C:
Robert Fulford (England) Ian Dumergue (Australia) Shane Davis (NZ) Marcus Evans (Wales)
Block D:
David Maugham (England) Greg Bryant (NZ) Leo McBride (Canada) Phillip Drew (NZ
Block E:
Rutger Beijderwellen (Netherlands) Aaron Westerby (NZ) Samir Patel (England) Bob Jackson (NZ)
Block F:
Keith Aiton (Scotland) Bruce Fleming Australia) Paul Skinley, Michael Wright (NZ
Block G:
Stephen Mulliner (England) James Death (England) Ian Burridge (Wales) Jenny Clarke (NZ)
Block H:
Peter Landrebe (Australia) Paddy Chapman (NZ) David Openshaw (England) Toby Garrison (NZ)
From the Croquet World website.
Jan 31 - Feb 3 - - Sarasota County Winter Singles Invitational
Sarasota County Croquet Club, Venice, FL crokpeople@aol.com
Feb 1 - Feb 3 - - USCA Croquet School
National Croquet Center, West Palm Beach, FL usca@msn.com
Feb 5 - Feb 9 - - ORAC Invitational
Ocean Reef Club, Key Largo, FL wgcamper@aol.com
Feb 12 - Feb 17 - - Useppa Island Invitational
Gasparilla & Useppa, Useppa Island, FL thecapstonegroup@comcast.net
Feb 15 - Feb 17 - - Mar-a-Lago Doubles Invitational
Mar-a-Lago, Palm Beach, FL Twenty6to2@aol.com
Feb 19 - Feb 24 - - Charles P. Steuber Invitational
National Croquet Center, West Palm Beach, FL archiepeck@aol.com
Feb 27 - Mar 2 - - Audobon Invitational
Audobon Croquet Club, Naples, FL jnjbalson@aol.com
Source: USCA Calendar Page (click for more details)
The Croquet World site reports that Ben Rothman defeated
John Osborn 26-2 to win the singles Championship flight
at the Palm Beach Invitational in Florida this weekend.
This is from an Edina, Minnesota promotional show. A pretty good interview on the basics and some nice footage of play at their club.
Okay, so it's 18 days late, but here's a list of ideas for all you malletheads that is sure to enhance your 2008 croquet season:
1) Play in one event outside of your normal circle. If you normally play in a family game, find the nearest club and get in a game. The USCA site has a listing of clubs. If you normally play with a club, try hooking up with another club. Again, check the USCA website for clubs near you. If you normally play in the backyard by yourself, get a game going.
2) Join the USCA Nine wicket association. The provide a great service for croquet player and plus you get a magazine. If you're a nine-wicket member ($15), upgrade to full membership ($60) to recieve all three issues.
3) Go ahead upgrade to that tournament level mallet -- you won't regret it.
4) Try out a new game. One-ball players should try a team game or maybe golf croquet. Six-wicket pros should play a backyard game.
5) Check in with the Croquet Network blog every day.
6) Teach one person to play the game.
7) If you aren't already, organize a tournament or just volunteer to help out with one.
8) Add your club or croquet link to the Croquet Network Links page.
9) Support this site with a purchase from our Croquet Network Official Store at CafePress.com.