Croquet Matters_ Final February 2015 | Page 5

Nelson Morrow, Sabri Mullaaliu, Stephen Piercy, Erica Stephens and Tony Stephens. Photos from the opening ceremony View of the teams with their flags Ahmed El Mahdi in a very good 5 game Final watch by approximately 250 spectators. Bowl This was a separate block for the first round losers. It was rather depleted with five of the sixteen players withdrawing. The Four Semi-finalists were all New Zealanders. Hemi McLaren defeated Phillip Drew, Duncan Dixon defeated John Christie. Duncan went on to defeat Hemi in the final. Shield For second round losers. Jarred Keeman was the only NZ player who competed and won the final against Mohamed Nasr from Egypt. The President of the WCF Amir Ramsis, and President of Croquet New Zealand Sue Roberts with the Mayor of Tauranga Plate 29 players contested the plate. This was for players that had failed to qualify for the KO and was held at Katikati. The eight quarter-finalists were from five different Countries. The youngest player (Hemi McLaren aged 16) carrying the NZ flag In the semi-finals Ed Cunningham Ireland defeated Chris McWhirter Australia, Nelson Morrow NZ defeated William Louw South Africa. Nelson defeated Ed in a very close 3 game final. The Manager Geoff Young reports. The tournament was held in beautiful weather. 20 courts were used in Mt Maunganui and Whakatane. Katikati and Rotorua clubs were also used. 80 players from 10 countries were represented. 22 came from NZ, 18 from Australia, 18 from Egypt and the rest from the other 7 Countries. From the 8 blocks of 10, the top 4 players progressed to the KO of 32. Of the10 NZ players that made the KO, only four survived the first round. Mike Crashley defeated Phillip Drew, Jenny Clarke defeated Hamish McIntosh, Chris Clarke defeated an Egyptian, and Jarred Keeman defeated Kevin Beard Australia. Mike, Jenny and Jarred all lost their next games and Chris went on to lose the Semi-Final to Hamy Erian the World No one. Hamy in turn lost to Nelson Morrow lines up against Ed Cunningham (Ireland) on his way to winning the Plate. Winners with their trophies : L-R Bowl: Duncan Dixon Shield: Jarred Keenan Plate: Nelson Morrow