Now that the ACWC has concluded the croquet world can turn all attention on the upcoming MacRobertson Shield World Team Championship which will roll out the balls in December in New Zealand. Line-ups for the Big 4 have been announced and presented below is a selective breakdown of stats pulled from croquetrecords.com on August 29.
Read MoreLightning Round: With Robert Fletcher
Six Questions: Robert Fletcher
New World Champion Robert Fletcher took some time over the past few days to answer a lightning round of six questions just after his blitz through the ACWC.
#1 - So, you really just rolled through this World Championship (23-0) at a time when it seems like there are a lot of players out there with legitimate title chances. Can you explain how that happened? Is it your that playing has moved to another level or are there other factors?
I think I just played really consistently, I didn't do anything fancy, I just played solid croquet all week. I had played deep into Worlds before, so I knew what to expect in the later rounds.
#2 - Despite the 3-0 score, the final with Paddy seemed fairly interactive. Can you talk about how that match went and maybe what the key to you gaining control?
It was interactive, mainly due to the hoops being put in new holes that day. Surbiton has a clay base which makes for very tough hoops, plus the variable pace of the lawn. We both took some time to adjust to the hoops, but it was probably my shooting throughout the first two games that made the difference.
#3 - A World Championship is an incredible lifetime achievement and you've done it at the age of 20. It would almost seem to be overwhelming. Can you describe what it was like once you got that final peg out?
I was relieved, that the match was over (as it had been long and tough), and delighted to have come through on top!
#4 - Can you give us any insight on what you think distinguishes a top 10 world player from the rest of the field?
Top 10 players are generally good shots, consistent TPers, good at pegged off tactics and have a better mental approach than other players.
#5 - And what is your approach to Association Croquet in the actual game -- do you feel like you are playing against your opponent, the court or yourself?
The court when I am playing breaks (i.e. what lines of play I should take or what strokes to play), but I am definitely aware of who I am playing with regard to leave setting and choice of shot.
#6 - What's in your future plans, both near term and long term?
Short term; preparing for the MacRobertson Shield in NZ this December, which will include the Australian President's 8, and the Australian Open singles and doubles Championship. Long term; continuing to improve my game and working toward retaining my World title.
Photo provided by Adrian Wadley. See the full gallery here.
New WCF AC World Champion: Robert Fletcher
Robert Fletcher in action during the ACWC Final (Click for Gallery)Australia's Robert Fletcher defeated New Zealand's Paddy Chapman 3-0 (26-22, 26tp-23, 26-0) yesterday to claim the 14th WCF Association Croquet World Championship at the Surbiton Club in England.
Reg Bamford claimed the last two World Championships (2009, 2012) and prior to that Chris Clark, Robert Fulford and Bamford have held exclusive control of the title back to 1991.
Fletcher is the first Australian to win the title and at 20 the youngest player to win the title. Robert Fulford was 21 when he claimed the title in 1990.
In the Bowl (for those knocked out of the first round of the KO), James Hopgood (ENG) beat Nick Parish (ENG) +23tp, +26tp.
In the Plate (for those who did not qualify for the KO), Jose Riva (ESP) beat Paul Bennett (USA) +11,+12.
In the Shield (for those out of everything else), Richard Smith (ENG) beat Lionel Tibble (ENG) +13, +5.
Links are rolling in now:
Adrian Wadley Photo Gallery:
https://picasaweb.google.com/wadley/ACWC2013#
CroquetScores.Com Full Bracket
http://www.croquetscores.com/2013/ac/the-14th-wcf-world-championship/championship-knockout
Robert Fletcher Becomes World Champion
(PDF Report)
Robert Fletcher Wins AC World Championship!
http://www.croquetwest.org.au/?p=2511
Fletcher's On Top of the World
http://www.standard.net.au/story/1716200/fletchers-on-top-of-the-world/
Morning Coffee: Croquet or Roque?
At the top of this week's news is the Norwegian Nine-Wicket Croquet video (see link below). There is so much that the video touches on, but the main discussion was centered toward the concept that it is really roque that is being played. It is of course interesting to see how the game has evolved in different parts of the world. No matter what the Norwegians think they are playing, I would agree with the assertion that it is pretty much roque. Fundamentally though, it hardly matters. Take away the short mallet restriction and one-hand rule (seemingly unique for Norway) and it's pretty much nine-wicket croquet.
Read More2012 World Semi-Finals Video With Audio
AC World Finals: Game 1, Clip 1
AC World Finals: Bamford Wins 3-2
World Championship winner Reg Bamford and World Croquet Federation president Amir Naguib. Photo provided by Leo Nikora.ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA -- Reg Bamford survived a 2-1 deficit to come back and win a 3-2 final over Robert Fletcher for his fourth World Championship title. According the commentary, the final was played in dreary conditions, but seemed to have a lively crowd. Scores were as follows in favor of Bamford:
AC World Final: It's Bamford and Fletcher
Is it the dream final? After negotiating block play and surviving the 32-player knockout, we now have #1 Reg Bamford vs #2 Robert Fletcher. Bamford will be looking for a repeat of his 2009 win and his fourth world championship title overall, while young Fletcher will be looking for his first.
AC Worlds Final Four
The WCF World Association Championship marches on as we have now reached the final four. These matches should occur around 6:30 eastern time in the U.S. if I am translating my Australian time converter properly:
Read MoreAC Worlds Elite Eight
The WCF Sweet Sixteen played out yesterday and it looks like there was an upset with Marcus Evans eliminating Robert Fulford 26TP/0, 6/26TP, 26SXP/0, 23/26TP, 1/26QNP. Other results from yesterday's action:
Reg Bamford over Ian Dumerge
Stephen Forster over Miranda Chapman
Simon Hockey over James Death
James Hopgood over Alan Walsh
Robert Fletcher over Harley Watts
Samir Patel over Harps Tahurangi
Marcus Evans over Robert Fulford
Malcom Fletcher over Jenny Clarke
Today's Matches:
Reg Bamford vs Stephen Forster
Simon Hockey vs James Hopgood
Robert Fletcher vs Samir Patel
Malcolm Fletcher vs Marcus Evans