Welcome to a sunny United where the players are hitting up on the beautiful lawn 5. The lawn looks fairly even paced, and is already running at about 11 seconds. This should increse as the sun bakes the moisture out of the grass.

Ian starts game 1 by playing Red to the standard EB position level with 4

Greg responds by laying a Duffer tice with Black. The ball ghosts onto the wire of 6.

Ian plays a defensive Yellow to the WB level with 6.

Greg shoots at Yellow from corner I. Nicks it towards hoop 2
The expert panel comments: "One of the luckiest outcomes for a bad shot selection I have seen"

Takes off to Black and rushes it to 2 yards West of 5. It was not as close to the wire of 6 as I thought.
Rolls Black past hoop 1, getting angled position with Blue to run the hoop.
Plays Blue firmly and runs the hoop by 3 yards.

Splits Black to 3 yards West of 3, but over-runs Yellow at 2. Has to take croquet 3 yards South of 2.

Rams Blue through 2 to get a rush on Yellow towards Black at 3 - this should end on 4-back.

The 5 yard return roquet after 3 is snicked - great technique to shorten the roll to 5.

He is now picking Red off the EB where it has been since the first turn.

Pioneers for 4 and 5 are 3 yards short of their hoops.

The roll from the EB with Red loads a good pioneer at 5, but snicks Yellow, resulting in a 3-yard approach to 4.
Blue stops 2 feet North of the hoop.

The attempt to run Blue to the boundary ends with Blue rejected to 3 yards North of 4. Seems that those good pioneers are really important.

Red takes his 3 yarder at Black and takes croquet for the first time this game.

Black is left 3 yards North-East of 6, and Blue is rushed towards Yellow which is still 4 yards South of 4. The rush is short, so Blue is rolled to 3 yards East-ish of 4, getting a cut on Yellow to the SB South of 1.

The roll to 1 is short, leaving Red a 5-foot straight hoop. It is gently poked through the hoop, running it by a foot.

Yellow is rushed into Black, stopping inches from it.
The load of 3 leaves Yellow a yard short of the hoop, and a good rush on Black to 2.
The rush slides a yard past 2

Red has an angled hoop 2, but it is not a long hoop.
Instead of the gentle shot we saw at 1, Ian slams the ball at the hoop, and meets the same firm rejection we saw earlier.
Red stops 2 yards West of 6, leaving Black a 7 yarder.

Black clips Red, sending it to 2 yards South-East of 6.
Blue is still about 3 yards East and a couple offeet North of 4 (Blue's hoop)

Red is rolled to North of 3, obtaining a rush on Yellow to the EB opposite Blue

Yellow is stopped to 1 yard East of the peg, and Blue rushed to 2 yards West of 1

Black approaches 1, and makes the slightly angled hoop by an inch. There is just enough room to get a swing on the conveninently positioned side ball.

Blue is rolled towards 4, with Black getting a cut rush on Yellow to 3.
He cuts Yellow to the EB East of Red, which is 3.5 yards North of 3

The rush on Red (after loading 3 with Yellow) is too hard - about 6 yards South-Wet of the hoop.
The roll to the hoop goes too long as well, and Black retires to corner II.

Recap

Greg has Black on 2,and Blue on 4
Ian has Red on 2, and Yellow on 1

Red is just off the NB North of 2.
Yellow is 1 yard North of 2.
Blue is 3 yards West-Northwest of 4.
Black is in corner II.

Ian shoots with Yellow at Red. Misses into corner II

Corrction
Black is in corner III, not corner II as stated above
I think corner II might have been better than III....

Greg plays Blue to the EB level with 6.

Ian misses the 6-yarder with Yellow at Red. Both his balls are now in corner II

Greg shoots Black at Blue. Misses into corner IV

Ian approaches 2 with Red from corner II.
He runs the 8 foot hoop to the boundary, getting a rush to Blue on the EB.

Yellow is rushed to 1 yard South of Blue.
It is stopped out 4 yards, with Red getting a rush on Blue to 2.
The rush is short, Blue stopping about 4 feet East and 2 feet North of the hoop
A good approach leaves him with a straight 12 inch hoop, which he makes.

Blue is stopped to 2 yards North-East of 5, and Yellow is rushed towards 4. It stops 5 yards short, but a great approach leaves Red with an 18 inch straight hoop.

The hoop is run to the boundary, with a little helpful wire to leave a 5-yarder on Black in the corner.
Red now has all 4 balls under control, and should be able to play a 4bb to 4-back

Ian did not get a pioneer to 6, so he had to rush Black from the peg to 6.
The rush and approach was OK, but Red only ran the hoop half-way.

Recap

Greg has Blue on 4, and Black 2
Ian has Yellow on 1, and Red on 6

Red is in the jaws of 6
Yellow in 3 yards South-West of the peg
Blue is a couple of feet West of hoop 2
Black is 4 yards North of 6

Greg shoots with Black at Blue - hits the 7-yarder in the middle, rushing Blue to the WB

Blue is rolled to 5 yards East of 3, and a few feet North.
Black ends up 4 yards South of 6, and hits Red which bounces back without making the hoop.

Red is rolled towards 4, and Yellow rushed on to the wire of 2.
The hoop is made with a rush to Red, which ends on the SB South of 4.

Yellow is rolled to 2 yards North of 4, but the rush on Red is pointing to 6.
The cut is OK, with Red stopping on the NB 1 yard West of 3.
An accurate take-off to Blue will ensure a good pioneer.

The take-off is short, leaving the rush on Blue pointing South.
Greg decides that the hoop approach will be too hard, so he rushes Blue to 3 yards West of 5, and rolls both balls off the WB.

Recap

Greg has Blue on 4 and Black on 3
Ian has Yellow on 1 and Red on 6

Red is just off the NB 2 yards West of 3
Yellow is 2.5 yards North of 4
Black is on the WB level with 5
Blue is 5 feet North of Black

Ian shoots Yellow at Black, missing by 2 feet.

Black uses yellow to get a rush on Blue to Red.
He takes croquet 3 yards East of Red, and gets a cut rush to hoop 3.
Takes croquet 6 inches from the hoop.

After making the hoop, Red is rushed to the NB and stopped to 6
Blue is rushed to Yellow, crossing the border 18 inches from Yellow
The rush on Yellow nicks hoop 5, and stops 7 yards North-West of 4

The approach leaves Black a 1-yard straight hoop.
He runs it at normal pace to the border - not the expected slam through that has failed a few times today

The rush on Yellow stops a foot South-West of 5. Red is still at 6, so this now qualifies to be called a break

Greg did not get a pioneer to 2-back, so he had to rush Red in from several yards away.
This has moved the problem to 3-back, where the pioneers are 4 and 5 yards North-West of the hoop.

Greg manages to rush Yellow to 2 feet North of 3-back, and then rushes Blue to 2 inches North of the hoop.
He takes off and makes the hoop, running into Yellow.

Yellow is stopped to between 1 and 2, 1 yard North of the peg.
Red is rushed to the EB level with Yellow.
The take-off to Blue results in Blue rushed to the SB, and then Blue is rolled into IV with Black 2 feet North of it

Recap

Greg has Blue on 4, and Black on 4-back
Ian has Yellow on 1, and Red on 6

Yellow is on the line between 1 and 2, 1 yard North of the peg
Red is on the EB level with Yellow
Blue is in IV
Black is 2 feet North of Blue

Ian lifts Yellow and shoots at Blue from the end of A baulk
Hits

The rush on Black to Red goes out 8 yards short of Red.
Black is stopped to the NB about 12 yards West of III, without getting a rush on Red.
Red is rolled to 3 yards North-Northwest of 1, but Yellow hits hoop 5.
Yellow is played to the WB level with Red

Black is played to the middle of the EB

Red misses the 6-yarder on Yelow

Greg shoots with Blue from IV and hits the 18-yarder on Black.
Tkes croquet from the NB 3 yards West of III

A huge split sends Black to 2 yards South-East of 4, and Blue a few inches from off the WB 6 yards North of Red.
The roquet cannons Yellow a bit infield

The rush on Yellow stops 2.5 yards West of 4.
Yellow is stopped to just North of peg-high on the line between 3 and 4.
Blue has a 3-yard straight hoop.
It bounces out of the jaws to stop next to the hoop, 2 yards from Black

Yellow shoots at Blue next to hoop 4 (about 11 yards). Runs the hoop to the boundary!

Blue hits the 6-yarder on Yellow for a break

After making 5, Red is picked up and stopped to 1-back. It is slowed down by thehoop, stopping a yard North-West of the hoop.

All 4 balls are now under control

The 3-back pioneer was not great, so another ball was sent to help.
However, the hoop approach was from the side, and Blue ended up in the hoop.

Recap

Greg has Black on 4-back, and Blue on 3-back
Ian has Yellow on 1, and Red on 6

Red is 2 yards South-West of 4-back
Black is 2 yards South-West of Red
Blue is in hoop 4
Yellow is 2 yards North of Blue

Ian rushes Blue to the SB with Yellow
Sends it to 1-back with a roll that leaves Yellow close to Black

Black is rushed to Red, and Red is rushed to 2 yards South-East of 1

Yellow runs 1 by an inch. An umpire is requested.

The shot is clean, but misses Red

Greg shoots with Blue from hoop 2, missing to the SB level with 1

Yellow rushes Red to the SB 2 yards East of Blue.
The boundary is not very flat.
He manages to roll in behind Blue, giving him a rush to Black by hoop 3

Black is rushed to 3 yards North of 2
The take-off leaves a 5-foot straight hoop.
Runs the hoop hard with no wire, hitting Black

Yellow has the makings of a break - Blue is 4 feet East of 3.
Over-hits the split to load 4, sending Yellow off the court opposite Blue.
Black is 3 yards North-West of 3-back, which sports a blue clip

A thick take-off sends Yellow to 1 yard East of 4-back
Black is cut towards the hoop, and Blue runs a 2-foot hoop by 10 yards

The return roquet is rushed to the SB
A take-off to Red yields a rush to just North of 1
A take-off to yellow is short, leaving a rush away from the hoop

A good approach gives Blue a short straight 4-back, but no penult pioneer.
The hoop is run to the boundary, and Yellow is rushed to South of hoop 1.
Red is still 3 yards North of 1, and Black is a few feet infield South of 4

Yellow is rolled to 3 yards South of the peg, and Red is rushed to the SB by Black
Black is rushed to 4 feet North of Penult - great shot

Blue runs the hoop and croquets Black to 6 yards North of 4
Yellow is rushed to Rover, and the hoop is run by 2 inches.
No shot on Yellow, and a 7-yarder on partner

Blue rushes Black to the EB 12 yards North of IV
Takes off to Red on the SB behind 4
Croquets Red to between 1 and 2, 2 yards South of peg-high
Rushes Yellow to the NB 4 yards East of II
Croquets Yellow into II
Retires to 1 yard North of Black on EB

Recap

Greg has Blue on the peg, and Black on 4-back
Ian has Red on 6, and Yellow on 3

Black is on the EB 12 yards North of IV
Blue is 1 yard North of Black
Red is between 1 and 2, 2 yards South of peg-high
Yellow is in II

Ian lifts Red and shoots from the middleof B baulk at the synthetic double
Hits Blue

Croquets Blue to 4, and rushes Black towards 6 on a good line, but a yard too far

Good hoop approach leaves a 2 foot hoop.
Gentle shot runs the hoop well, leaving a rush on Black to Blue by 4

Black is rushed off the EB 4 yards South of Blue.
Croquets it to 4 yards North-East of 2-back, obtaining a good rush on Blue
Blue is rushed to a few inches South of II

Red plays a cannon out of II, sending Blue to 5 yards North of 2-back, and Yellow to 2 yards North-West of 1-back
The approach is not good, leaving a 3-foot straight hoop.
Red is stroked through the hoop gently, missing the wire and ending level with the peg

Blue is only a few yards South, so it gets hit.
Blue is sent to 3-back, leaving Yellow behind 5 yards South of 1-back
Black is rushed to 2-back

Red makes the next 2 hoops and sets about a leave.
Blue is left a foot North-West ofthe peg, and Black is croqueted to 4 yards East-Northeast of 4, nicely wired from Blue
Yellow is rushed towards II, and set up with a rush on Red towards the peg about 4 yards South of II
It is a very deep reverse diagonal spread

Recap

Greg has Blue on the peg, and Black on 4-back
Ian has Red on 4-back, and Yellow on 3

Ian has set a very deep reverse diagonal spread, with Yellow having a rush on Red, Blue by the peg, and Black 4 yards East of 4.

Greg lifts Black and shoots at Yellow from the end of B baulk.

Black misses. Yellow now has a good chance of equalising.
There are 23 minutes left on the clock.

Yellow rushed Rd out towards the peg, and loaded 4 while obtaining a rush on Blue to 3.
The hoop stroke at 3 is about 2 feet - again a gentle stroke, but this time the ball sticks in the hoop.

Blue is about 4 yards South-West of 3.
Yellow can run the hoop down to Red, which is 4 yards North-Northwest of 4

Greg must have doubts about Yellow running the hoop hard, because he shoots at Black close to II.

The shot misses.
Ian calls an umpire

Yellow is less than halfway through the hoop.
A firm shot sends Yellow 3 yards through the hoop.
Yellow might have a double at Blue and Black - he is eyeing the shot.

Yellow shoots at Black and hits

Blue is rushed out towards the middle of the EB, and sent to 5.
Red is rushed to 4, and we have a 3bb

Another gentle hoop shot with Yellow leaves Yellow in the jaws of 5.

Blue rushes Yellow off the SB into the flowers.
There is 5 minutes on the clock.

Blue takes off to Red, and rushes it off the NB close to III

Blue takes off to Black, and rushes it off the NB close to II

Is there a pattern here?

The timer rings to signal the end of 4 hours of play.
Blue takes off from Black, and is pegged out.

Ian has to play Yellow to win the game.
He has a choice of 40-yarders, or a 10.5 yard straight hoop.

Yellow misses Red to end the first game

Greg leads 1-0

After lunch at Nandos, the commantary team returns to find Greg in a 4bb with Yellow, currently on hoop 4

The game thus far (as reported by Jimbo):

Greg started, Ian went to corner 2.

Greg missed third turn, and Ian middes into corner IV

Greg set up at 1, with the corner 4 ball infield.

Ian missed into corner I, giving Greg the break.

Greg has made 1-back and must be planning his leave.
Black is left 4 yards South-West of the peg, and Red is sent to 3-back, but stops 5 yards West of the hoop
2-back is approached badly, leaving an angled short shot.

Yellow is played at the hoop hard, and dribbles through hitting Blue

Blue is sent to 3 yards infield off the WB,2 yards North of peg-high
Black is used to get a good rush on Red to the hoop
The rush stops a foot North-East of the hoop

3-back is made, and Black is rushed to the EB by Blue.
Black is left on the EB a yard North of peg-high, and Blue is rushed to close to the WB
Blue is shot to 2 yards East of the peg.
Red is rushed to IV

Recap

Greg has Yellow on 4-back
All other clips are on 1

Black is on the WB a yard North of peg-high
Blue is 2 yards East of the peg
Red is in IV, and Blue on the EB 6 yards North of Red

Ian lifts Blue to the end of A baulk and shoots at Red

Blue hits Red in the middle

The croquet stroke to get behind Yellow is a little wide, and rolls off just South of Yellow

Greg croquets Blue to a foot South-East of 6, and sets up for Red in III, wired from Blue
Black is still on the EB

The wiring is not perfect - Blue is taking a shot at Red and Yellow

Blue hits Red in the middle

Ian rushes Yellow to Black

Black is rushed to 3 yards South-West of 1

Make that 2 yards

A good approach has Blue right in front of the hoop
Blue makes hoop 1 with a rush on Black back to the hoop

Blue takes off from Black to get a rush on Yellow, which is 2.5 yards infield on the WB, peg-high

Blue stops 8 inches from the line

Yellow is cut over to the EB, level with 6
Red is about 3 yards South-West of III

The take-off to Red is short, yielding a rush to the middle of B baulk
A good cut sends Red to 5 yards North-Northwest of 2

The take-off for hoop position is too hard, and leaves Blue with a 3.5 yard straight shot
He Walters off to the SB, scattering Black to 1.5 yards South-West of 1.
Blue goes out middle of SB

Red is shooting at Yellow

Misses, leaving Red and Yellow close
Black is at Yellow's hoop, about 9 yards from Blue

Black shoots at Blue

Hits

Black takes off to Red and Yellow, but stops bery close to the infield Yellow.
An umpire is called to ensure he does not bump Yelow while shooting at Red.
All is OK, Black roquets Red.

Red is sent towards 2, stopping 5 yards East of the hoop
Yellow is rushed to 6 yards East of 1

Big roll approach yields a good straight 2-footer

Another gentle roll ends with Black bouncing back from the jaws.
Yellow does not have a good target
Red will shoot at Yellow

Red misses to 4 yards East of I

Black is trapped - it can't go anywhere where Red or Yellow does not have a short shot at it
Blue has to hit something and re-arrange the balls
An umpire is watching Black in the jaws...

Blue just missed Black to go out on the WB level with 5

Yellow shoots at Blue

Hits. Sends Blue to 12 inches West of 2
Goes back to give Red a rush to 1
Black is still trapped in the jaws of 1 - can't run the hoop, no room to play away

Blue shoots at Red

Hits the 27-yarder!
Applause from the small crowd

Blue cannons Red into Black, dislodging it from the hoop

Blue now hits Yellow, and croquets it towards 3, but it hits the peg

The rush on Black cannons into Red. Black is rolled up to 2, stopping inches from the NB
Blue is positioned to give Black a rush to 2

Red will shoot at Yellow
The shot is from just off the SB to a ball by the peg

Misses to the middle of the NB

Black rushes Blue to Yellow by the peg

correction
Blue is on 2, Black is on 1

Black sends Blue to 2, and rushes Yellow to 4 yards North-East of 1

A take-off leaves Black with a 3 foot straight hoop
Will we see the gentle hoop stroke fail again?

This time he slams Black at the hoop hard, and it dribbles through by a foot

Yellow is rushed to the peg, and croqued to 3 with Black going to Red on the NB

A take-off from Red yields a 3-yard rush on Blue to the hoop

Black dribbles past Blue to a groan of dismay from the crowd
It stops 4 yards from Red

Red hits Black and takes off to Blue
Looks like a crosswire at 2 coming up

No, Blue is rushed to East of 3, where Yellow is still waiting

Yellow is rushed to 1, but bounces off the peg to 6 yards North-West of 1

Red lays up West of 1 with a rush on Yellow to hoop 1

Black is shooting at Red

Black misses to the SB

Red hits Black, and sends it to 4 yards West of 2
The rush on Yellow stops 2.5 yards South of 1

Red runs 1 with little wire, and roquets Yellow

Yellow is sent to 3, and Red has a cut rush to send Black 4 yards South and a yard West of 2

A gentle take-off leaves Red with a 3-foot hoop

The hoop is run with no wire

If Greg wants it, a standard triple is available

The expert panel says that he has nothing to lose trying to peel Yellow after 3

Black is sent to 4, but Red can't roquet Blue.
Yellow is rushed North-East of Blue, and croqued back towards peeling position, but ends up short
Blue is sent to the opposite side of the hoop from Yellow, nd the hoop is run

Red rushes Yellow to the NB.No sign of triple any more

Blue (the pioneer for 5) is about 5 yards North-East of the hoop.
Black is rushed to 4 from 4 yards away, and Red fails 4 unexpectedly

Blue has a 7-yarder on Red

Hits

Blue rushes Black North, and croquets it to 2 yards South of 3.
Yellow is rushed to 4 feet South of 2

Blue runs 2 with no wire. Is this hoop wide, or are they just good players?

Yellow is rushed to 5 yards West of the peg, and Blue takes off to get a rush on Black
The rush is 4 yards straight

Black is rushed to 3 feet North of 3

Blue makes 3 and rolls Black to 5 yards North-East of 5.
Yellow is rushed to the SB behind 4.

Yellow is sent back to a yard North of 5, with Blue obtaining a rush on Red to 4
He takes croquet 2 yards North of the hoop

Blue slams through the hoop and hits Red

Red is rolled to 4 feet North of the peg.
Black is rushed South, then sent to 7 yards West of the peg
Yellow is used to make 5
There is no pioneer close to 6

1-back is loaded with Yellow
Black is rushed to Red, and Red to 6

Blue has lost a bit of control around 2-back, but manages to mke the hoop and roquet Red.
Yellow is 4 yards West of 3-back though

Red is sent to 5 feet North of the peg, and Black is rushed to the middle of the SB

Black is sent to the peg.
The rush on Yellow stops a few inches North of the hoop

Blue makes hoop and roquet, rushing Yellow to 5 yards East of the peg

Yelow is croqued to a foot North-West of the peg
Red is rushed past it, then croqued into the dead area South-East of the peg, about 2 yards from the EB, and a yard north of 4
Black is rushed to corner II

Recap

Greg has Yellow on 4-back, and Red on 4
Ian has Blue on 4-back, and Black on 2

Yellow is a foot North-West of the peg, and Red about 2 yards infield of the EB, a yard north of hoop 4.
Black is just South of corner II, with a rush on Blue to the peg

Greg lifts Red to the end of B-Baulk, and shoots at Blue

Misses

Black stops Red to the NB South of 2, and rushes Blue to 2.
He stops Blue 4 yards towards 3, but gets angled position at 2.
He slams through the hoop.

Black sends Red to 5 yards North-northeast of 4, but fails to get a rush on Blue.
He takes off to get a rush on Yellow, which stops a couple offeet East of hoop 3

An angled hoop 3 is run, and Yellow is rushed towards the jaws of 4-back, hitting the hoop

A take-off to Blue leaves Yellow nicely in the jaws of 4-back

The rush on Blue hits the wrong side, and sends Blue to 3 yards East of hoop 1
A pass roll leaves Blue 4 yards North-East of 5, and Black with no rush to improve Red

Black taking croquet from 4 yards North-Northeast of 4
Leaves him a 4-foot hoop

A mighty swipe rejects to 4 yards East of 1

Greg lifts Yellow from the jaws of 4-back,and shoots at Red from the end of A-baulk.

He hits the 7-yarder, rushing Red into IV

Yellow takes off to 4 yards from Black, and rushes it to 5

Black is left on (or close to) the wire of 5, so it can't shoot at Rd in IV
Blue is rushed to 4 yards South of 4-back

Blue is placed 3 yards North and slightly East of 4-back.
I assume Black can shoot at Blue
Yellow is sent back to Red, leaving Red with a cut rush to its hoop

Blue shoots at Black and misses.

Time has been called. Ian will get another turn

Greg has had a long think. The score is tied. He does not have a good rush to his hoop. Black will get a lift if he fails his hoop, and Blue is on the A baulk

Greg rushes Yellow to 5 yards South of 5, and croquets it to 2 yards South of hoop 2

Black is rushed off the wire at 5, and sent towards corner IV, Red going to Blue on the A baulk

Red runs past Blue, but stops with inches to spare!

Blue is rushed to 2 yards South-West of 4. He sends it to 3 yards off the EB, peg-high
Red has a 3-foot hoop!

Red runs the hoop to applause from the crowd

Red hits the 6-yarder on Black. He should be able to visit each ball now and make sure they are all on boundaries

Black is on the EB 5 yards North of IV
Blue is on the EB 4 yards South of III
The take-off to Yellow hits Yellow, so he will have to roll them both out as far apart as he can

Yellow ends up on the WB level with 2
Red is on the WB about 9 yards North of I

Black shoots at Red...

Middles it!

Now the work starts

A superb take-off stops an inch infield behind Yellow, offering a slight cut rush to hoop 4

The cut to Blue is a lot sharper

About 40 degrees

The rush to hoop 4 is long - Yellow stops 4 yards East-Northeast of 4

He clubs the croquet stroke, sending Yellow into the yardline area, and leaving Black with an angled hoop

The hoop is run to the boundary

scores are equal - golden point rule applies

Yellow is cut infield a couple of yards, stopping about 7 yards South of 5

A strong stopshot sends Yellow close to 2, and leaves Black with a 3-foot hoop for the game

The hoop is run with no wire, and Black bounces off the peg while the crows applauds

* 1 Game All *

Ian Burridge taking over, Michael is off to the airport.

Ian is the luckiest man walking I was on the line of the final shot he hit it 2 and half balls right, I gave up on it someone said its hilling and sure enough it nearly got the middle. Await the Jim Nicholls video highlights.

The presentation for all the other events ended around 10 mins ago now but the players are still nowhere to be seen.

Lawn just been timed at 13.8 secs

Here we go

Ian (Red) to 8 yards N of corner 4

Could we get a repeat of the game 1 opening - described by Chris Clarke as out of book on turn 3!

Black Duffer 6" shorter than game 1 level with the hoop and open on corner 2

Yellow to corner 2 (wont have a full target at black)

blue hits black into the hoop goes 5 yards NE of peg

black to 5 yards south of 1 going to red. red to 6 yards S, 1 yard W of 3 trying and failing to approach 1. Blue to 2yards S of hoop 1

I think Ian's shot selection has been aggressive this match so yellow at red might be favourite over red to corner 4.

looking at red at blue which misses to corner 1

Red moves to corner 3 (5 feet S of it)

rush improvement looks like the order of the day

Makes the roquet gently approach from 2 feet 45 degrees

12" hoop 1 - 1-0 with a rush to corner 3

rush hits centre peg bounces to 2 yard S. Rush improvement still on the cards!

Rolling to yellow in corner 2, hits it stoppo approach sening yellow to 1 gets 4 yard hoop I am sure he will decline. blue is only about a yard SE of the corner

Black goes to corner 2 - if Ian is consistent with previous games yellow will shoot at this

Looking at yellow to corner 1, plays there

black rushes to 2 yards sw of 2

approaches to very difficult angle looking at guarding red and blue goes 4 yards E of 2

red into corner 4

black rushes blue to corner 3

black takes off to red hits it. Red to 6 yards S of 2 going to yellow gets nowhere near it will be going back to partner

27 strokes so far in about 33 minutes

red decides to shoot at bue and black which are diagonally across the corner

misses presumably black for 2 will play

plays black gets red out 3 yards rushes to 3 yards SW of 2 isn't going to try and approach

lays up on the W boundary level with 6 - freeish shot for yellow - not much room to get a ball out if red shoots

red goes to corner 4 - 1 yard W

Black rushes to 5 feet SE approaches to just over a foot and runs it 2-0. Rushes to the middle of the S boundary

rolls to red in corner 4. croquets it 2 yards SE of 3 and lays a rush for blue (for hoop 1) to corner 2. Don't understand that blue was well out and black could have guarded - I suppose black at red is still playable if Ian shoots.

Red goes to 3 yards E of corner 2

The WASP is currently 8-0

black hits blue to a yard NW of corner 4

rolls out black 1' N of corner 4 and blue 5' N

ian looking at shooting with yellow

Yellow misses between the two balls been fairly lucky no easy promotion

attempts the promotion misses it completely yellow comes on 8 yards N of the corner

croquets yellow to within a foot of 1 and hits blue

still less than a shot a minute I think

rolls to corner 3 blue goes 4' SW of the corner black plays into the corner

yellow shooting at red - hits. that should slow things down

yellow goes off the E boundary taking off to the corner (by perhaps 2 yards)

greg plays his hoop 1 ball looking for what will probably be a title winning break

Gets balck 3 yards SW of corner 3 rushes well to red hoop 2 pioneer 2 yards S of 2 12" rush straight at 1

hits it to the S boundary directly in front of 1

decides to croquet red to hoop 4 trying to approach. red is 5 yards short of 4 and blue has 8' angled hoop, he wont be trying that. The early 8-0 WASP forecast was perhaps somewhat optimistic

blue goes to the N boundary 4 yards W of corner 3 - no rush

red shooting at yellow hits the middle rushing it 5 yards E of corner 2

keeps the take off on the lawn hits blue on the boundary

gets a sort of rush on the other ball, plays it well to 2 yards E of 1.

We think Skinley Gibbons 11-8 in the third (2008 AC WC) might the record they are on target for

arpproaches well and runs it excellently for a sort of forward rush

Rushes to the middle of the W boundary, yellow is 4 yards NW of 2 gets a tight rush on it putting black 3 yards NW of the peg (applause)

13 spectators here so the online crowd dwarves it

makes hoop 2 to the boundary 2-2. 4 yard tonk of a return blue is on the boundary in front of 3

goes to the middle of the W boundary not ideal

another good croquet stroke yellow 2 yards in front of 4 and a 3 yard rush straight at blue

rush goes to the end of b baulk

gets a reasonable rush and takes it to 8' straight. goes to 1 foot 45 degrees - looking at a flip

bounces off to 3yards SW of b baulk the hoop 3 ball has a 6 yarder at it

the time taken to play that flip was one of the shortest times taken over a shot in the match

black hits the 6 yarder in the middle - should get round off this blue is 4 yards S of 3

splits red to hoop 1 from the W boundary and gets a 4 yard rush to 3

The rush gets a clear kick and finishes 2 feet to the side of 3

short 30 degree hoop - tricky

gets it through with a good firm stroke 3-2 short backwards roquet balls at 1 and 4

Will be well under an hour left after a break to peg - don't think you want to go to 4 back and risk losing to a hit and subsequent break to the peg

Making 4 with balls at 5 and 3

runs 15" hoop near enough to line to need a ref looks still on to me but im not on the line

yup its still on 6 yard return rushes it pretty much to the ball at hoop 3

A trivia question for years to come will be who was the only person to run in the 2015 NZ Open Final - Nairn Smith (referee)

making 5 off the hoop 3 ball with balls at 3 and 6 - this is the hardest hoop on the lawn

makes it with a forward rush should be OK from here. I think Ian is a fantastic death player but winning from here is going to test him, those 2 hoops in the bag are useful though.

greg goes to check the time before hoop 6 about 80 mins I guess

greg is playing at a pretty reasonable pace now he has a break, just made hoop 6

1back no rush - classic difficult lawn position with the pivot on the line of 1 and 2 as additional ball to run the hoop to

Time check - set your watches to 1 hour 12 mins (approx.)

sticks in 2 back from 9" straight in front

Big 5 yarder for Ian will probably have to give greg 2 back - current score 7-2

WASP says 12-3 (WASP doesn't take into account the position of the balls!)

I missed the fact that making a double and shooting at the ball in the hoop avoided conceding the point - ID didn't! - ball in the hoop hit to between 1 and 2

Has croquet from a ball 5 yards W of hoop 4 with a ball one yard in front of one

The hoop 2 pioneer hits hoop 5 and stays close to it - it didn't look in play

runs hoop 1 but is still in the jaws - easy hampered shot. disappointing not to have a ball in the NW quarter of the lawn

snicks the hampered shot which was harder than I had led you too believe

Tim - why didn't your spellchecker pick that?

hoop 3 pioneer 3 yards sw of the hoop, pivot and 1 yard cut rush to 2 10 yards away

bad shot 8 yard straight approach

approaches to the side of the hoop

black 2 back on N boundary behind 2, blue for 1 3 yards SW of 3, red for 3 2 yards SW of peg yellow hoop 2 goes to corner 3 (5 feet S)

If you had to guess which Ian in the world had played that turn you probably wouldn't go for Dumergue!

perhaps WASP isn't so bad after all 11-4 predicted now!

blue hits black

Takes off to yellow and hits it croquets it to 4 going to red goes the wrong side of hoop 3 lucky not to hit it - disgusted with himself has 4 yard roquet which he hits 5 yards SW of hoop 4

yellow is 6 yards NNE of hoop 4. doesn't try to approach - red sent in front of 1 and goes back to partner behind hoop 2 leaving a rush to yellow

red hits yellow

The thick take off is perfect for putting out a hoop 4 pioneer (red is for 3) good chance - but not as good as the last one

Plays it OK will have to take the in lawn ball first

6 inch rush to 3 but the other ball is left on N boundary behind 2. Overhits it 4 yards past

excellent approach to a foot runs it with a rush back to the ball behind hoop 2 (Current Score 4-7)

Rushes well should be able to get a ball out to near 6

elects to put it well behind 6 - could run hoop 5 to it if necessary

good rush he has control wont be much of the 40 mins left if this goes to the peg

runs 4

runs 5 into the reception ball hoop 6 pioneer is tight he needs to get near this

gets within foot of it - should be near enough - good shot, 1 back pioneer is 1 yard E

runs 6 to the deep ball he had left there good control again now

runs 1 back

This has been slow since hoop 6 less than 30 mins

has to approach 2 back from a yard gets 8" 20 degree hoop runs it to the boundary 4 yard return

hits it

We have a 4back pioneer

easily running this down to less than 10

minutes

I should have said 2 bad 4 back pioneers both 5 yards S of the hoop

makes 3back - how little time left do you need to peg out?

runs 4 back hard - 5 yard retrun the 4 yarder at 2back wasn't convincing

Gets a third of it - starting to think Nairn Smith isn't going to be the only person to run in this final

making penult off black (for 2back) and rover off blue (for hoop 1). Partner is for hoop 2

20 mins approx

A hampered shot taking a couple of minutes would be really handy!

jabs at penult from a few inches gets through - I don't think that stroke will run rover

black rushed into corner 2

red must be coming off now we are probably looking at about 6 mins for Greg if he is lucky

elects not to have a deep ball at rover leaves partner near the peg - 6 mins if he is very lucky

hoop and roquet at rover - a blessing or a nightmare? Probably not too bad black cant score enough points

looks like he has worked that out as he is taking off to partner at the peg

rushes yellow to corner 4 will be less than 6

I think the quickly making a hoop option is better than the peeling turn

chris want to take both balls to 2 back and hope to get the peel straight away doesn't look a bad option given we are going to be down to 3 mins

red pegs out - yellow in corner 4 black in corner 2 blue 2 yards in front of 5

hits the peg - greg runs!

croquets yellow to between 2 and the peg approaches off blue think he is going to peel going to yellow

runs to the boundary 1 min 20 secs

return roquet goes nearish 3back this is last turn

rolls back to corner 1 time is going to goo

time expires before he plays his final stroke

Dumergue wins 14-8

hang on he has a shot and is live on yellow

15 yarder

only 4 people have left the commentary thinking it is all over!

doesn't look like he is going to take it any time soon

hits yellow to behind hoop 2

no decision made yet

pass roll approach hoping yellow hits hoop 6? Thick take off sending it between 2 and the corner? He is about as dead as dead can be.

looks like he is going for rolling yellow to 2 back approaching 3 back

greg is now at 2 back

I suppose trying to set a double for after 3back is a good idea

now looking at the pass roll putting yellow to 4back - I don't think that is playable

plays it yellow and black both go off - it is now all over!

As the bell rings for the presentation Ian is bringing in the hoops and corner flags!