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WCF GCWC Main Event
GCWC - THE FINAL - Reg Bamford (South Africa) v Ahmed Nasr (Egypt) - Part 1 by Jenny Clarke
OK, we made it to WaterGardens, got Dumplings - yumm - and I'm back and ready to go!
05 Mar 2017 11:55AM (Tournament); 8 Readers
We are back on lawn 1. There is almost no shadow as it's still overcast. Unfortunately the lawns haven't been mowed again since Friday night
05 Mar 2017 11:57AM (Tournament); 10 Readers
They've taken down some of the fencing, but not from the south boundary - insurance issue to protect the huge glass windows here
05 Mar 2017 11:57AM (Tournament); 13 Readers
Double layers of black piping and there are seats in the middle of lawn 2 (not sure i like that!)
05 Mar 2017 11:58AM (Tournament); 14 Readers
Spectators lining the west boundary, and the scoreboard is back. Kiwis on the grass on lawn 4 - Duncan, is that Lester Hughes?, George and Zoe, Angus, Felix, and maybe Josh? Fantastic bunch of lads
05 Mar 2017 11:59AM (Tournament); 17 Readers
So... bit of concern to start things... no sign of Reg Bamford!!
05 Mar 2017 11:59AM (Tournament); 17 Readers
He usually puts in an appearance at the event dinner and leaves early to get a good night's sleep, but he wasn't seen last night.
05 Mar 2017 11:59AM (Tournament); 15 Readers
My neighbour here tells me he was told 11am, then 1pm, then 12.00.... aha - there he is!!
05 Mar 2017 12:00PM (Tournament); 15 Readers
Shakes Aiken Hakes' hand as he makes his way out to the lawn - only 10 mins late!
05 Mar 2017 12:00PM (Tournament); 19 Readers
Lachie is on the way to the north boundary to join the kiwis - I'd head over there, but it's easier to type with a laptop on my knee on a seat, and I need power
05 Mar 2017 12:01PM (Tournament); 22 Readers
Referees have surrounded the lawn, and some of the lady ones look like they have their pointy sticks.
05 Mar 2017 12:01PM (Tournament); 21 Readers
Up on lawn 3, Greg Fletcher has cleaned up Kevin Beard to win the bowl. Quite nice shiny silver plates for those prize, worth the effort to win
05 Mar 2017 12:02PM (Tournament); 21 Readers
The other croquet playing Fletchers are here - half of Australia's MacRob team. If Ned Wilson can settle down a bit he might be in with a shot of the 2021 Mac - but he needs to pull his head in and look more like a team player for that honour.
05 Mar 2017 12:02PM (Tournament); 22 Readers
That said, he has been utterly lovely to me - gave up his seat at the dinner, really polite nice chap, and really really impressive in taking defeat from Pete Landrebe in the main event.
05 Mar 2017 12:03PM (Tournament); 23 Readers
Huge applause as Ahmed Nasr takes the lawn.
05 Mar 2017 12:03PM (Tournament); 23 Readers
We'll still have a warmup to come. There is still a bit of risk to life and limb for those courtside players, but if everyone stays alert we'll be fine. Ahmed does hit the ball HARD
05 Mar 2017 12:04PM (Tournament); 22 Readers
Brian Reither shakes the hands of both players, and the ref conducts the toss. Reg seemed to let Ahmed call - that never works - the Egyptians always gracefully allow their opponent to call.
05 Mar 2017 12:05PM (Tournament); 23 Readers
The coin toss has happened - let's see whcih balls they choose. Ahmed looks comfortable to start with
05 Mar 2017 12:06PM (Tournament); 23 Readers
Yup he has won the toss, and will hit up with blue and black. I expect the referees to pounce if he smashes at any hoops in the warmup
05 Mar 2017 12:06PM (Tournament); 23 Readers
Takes good position with both balls to get started. His touch yesterday was lovely.
05 Mar 2017 12:06PM (Tournament); 24 Readers
To be fair to JP, lawn 2 is a LOT harder to take position on - the ball drifts all over the place. And that's not mentioning the treacherous east boundary which makes lift shots in AC very unappealing
05 Mar 2017 12:07PM (Tournament); 25 Readers
Around the W, E and N boundaries, Tony has counted 61 people. Reckons we have 160 watching the players warm up.
05 Mar 2017 12:08PM (Tournament); 29 Readers
Great day for filming - very muted shadows. I was hoping for blazing sun on freshly double-cut lawns. But that's a bit greedy given the wonderful weather we have had so far, and the thousands and thousands of hours of volunteer labour that have gone into hosting this championship. The satellite venues have been so good that Chris Clarke is really keen to see an AC worlds here.
05 Mar 2017 12:09PM (Tournament); 27 Readers
I had the pleasure of playing at Essendon, and only missed out on a morning at Williamstown by needing to win a playoff to get into the KO, though heard that was fantastic. Much credit to all who have spent months preparing for this tournament.
05 Mar 2017 12:10PM (Tournament); 28 Readers
As Felix so graciously said in his victory speech after the Under 21s, the volunteers have been so wonderful doing just so much that we could all turn up and play.
05 Mar 2017 12:11PM (Tournament); 27 Readers
They must be about to start play, as Reg has just played his balls up to hoop 1 from corner 4 - often the last part of anyone's practice. Ahmed has taken on no hoops - he had practiced a bit of clearing, but it's different to usual. I certainly do understand that the culture and practices in Egypt are different - and a lot of them are a lot better than ours (the disappointing GC rules that have been highlighted at different times here are not observed in Egypt).
05 Mar 2017 12:15PM (Tournament); 26 Readers
And we're ready...
05 Mar 2017 12:15PM (Tournament); 26 Readers
The Final: Game 1 - Reg Bamford v Ahmed Nasr
05 Mar 2017 12:15PM (Tournament); 26 Readers
Blue plays in - I want a quality final here.
05 Mar 2017 12:16PM (Tournament); 26 Readers
Blue is 2.5 yards back and straight. Bit of applause already
05 Mar 2017 12:16PM (Tournament); 26 Readers
Ahmed has regripped his mallet for this final
05 Mar 2017 12:16PM (Tournament); 26 Readers
Respect from Reg - he's shooting - misses badly on the right - i was too busy typing to watch if he wiped that one away - we'll look out for that
05 Mar 2017 12:16PM (Tournament); 27 Readers
It's quite noisy in here - great atmosphere - and the excitement is being contained in here, which allows the players to concentrate
05 Mar 2017 12:17PM (Tournament); 27 Readers
Black plays in - straight, and slightly deeper than blue - another nice ball
05 Mar 2017 12:17PM (Tournament); 28 Readers
Reg shooting with yellow - misses left. No wiping of that one
05 Mar 2017 12:17PM (Tournament); 29 Readers
Look for Peter Landrebe on youtube and subscribe - this final is live streaming!!
05 Mar 2017 12:18PM (Tournament); 30 Readers
The camera is in corner 2, it's going up to the balcony from game 2
05 Mar 2017 12:18PM (Tournament); 31 Readers
Ahmed runs hoop 1 5th turn - off the north boundary Ahmed Nasr leads 1-0
05 Mar 2017 12:18PM (Tournament); 30 Readers
Reg didn't shoot well in our block match, but he has been racheting up the standard in each game.
05 Mar 2017 12:19PM (Tournament); 27 Readers
Red plays in - short, Black comes up, then yellow - all in front. Blue plays into in front of yellow. I think blue and yellow are blocking red!
05 Mar 2017 12:19PM (Tournament); 29 Readers
Reg thinking about it - goes for max distance - red into corner 2, and black to the middle of north boundary. Chris said Ahmed missed all these in practice
05 Mar 2017 12:22PM (Tournament); 32 Readers
SMASH - black nails yellow, and yellow comes back and clears blue. (I'd just upset croquetscores and had to do some refreshing)
05 Mar 2017 12:23PM (Tournament); 33 Readers
Blue plays back in. Reg is lining up a shot at blue from near corner 2
05 Mar 2017 12:23PM (Tournament); 32 Readers
Looked lined up well, but misses a dribbly clearance on his left playing in from about 11 yards
05 Mar 2017 12:23PM (Tournament); 33 Readers
Ahmed brings black back in
05 Mar 2017 12:23PM (Tournament); 32 Readers
Can yellow see blue???
05 Mar 2017 12:23PM (Tournament); 31 Readers
Reg shoots at blue - flicks off the near wire down to the south boundary - clearly only had a bit of it
05 Mar 2017 12:24PM (Tournament); 33 Readers
Yellow should still be able to get to hoop 3 ok,
05 Mar 2017 12:25PM (Tournament); 33 Readers
"They coulda brought a bigger hammer for the final".
05 Mar 2017 12:25PM (Tournament); 33 Readers
Blue runs hoop 2 Ahmed Nasr leads 2-0
05 Mar 2017 12:25PM (Tournament); 34 Readers
Reg rolls red up to hoop 3 - it's going tight, and turns right - leaves it 9 inches on the wrong side of the hoop!!
05 Mar 2017 12:26PM (Tournament); 35 Readers
Fabulous shot from Ahmed - plays in to dead in front of hoop 3, wired from red - beautiful touch. Much better start than yesterday - he's on his A game from right at the start
05 Mar 2017 12:26PM (Tournament); 38 Readers
Reg shoots - hits partner, which frees it up to hit black away. Decent shot from the south boundary, and Reg needs to hit a few to get confidence flowing
05 Mar 2017 12:27PM (Tournament); 38 Readers
Another great positional shot from Ahmed puts blue in front. Reg is only 8 yards away, but he has missed a few gentle dribbles at this distance this week
05 Mar 2017 12:27PM (Tournament); 39 Readers
Red punts black away to the short boundary - black smashes red to the west boundary, hits hoop 3 and bounces off to in front of hoop 11
05 Mar 2017 12:28PM (Tournament); 40 Readers
Reg shooting - needs to middle this... - snicks it about 2 feet to hugely angled on hoop 3, but yellow joins red on the west boundary
05 Mar 2017 12:28PM (Tournament); 41 Readers
Ahmed plays in - much applause as blue enters the jaws of hoop 3. Dominant start by the Egyptian master
05 Mar 2017 12:29PM (Tournament); 41 Readers
We have clear shadows now - still lots of cloud, but the sun is winning at last
05 Mar 2017 12:29PM (Tournament); 42 Readers
Remember to send your comments/requests and questions to [email protected].
05 Mar 2017 12:29PM (Tournament); 42 Readers
I've passed on messages from Tobi, Pierre, Nelson to JP and George.
05 Mar 2017 12:29PM (Tournament); 42 Readers
Red looks to have surrendered and plays to the halfway line. Black isn't so easily convinced and takes position.
05 Mar 2017 12:30PM (Tournament); 41 Readers
Yellow shooting from the middle of west boundary... misses
05 Mar 2017 12:30PM (Tournament); 43 Readers
The ref-in-charge gets down to watch Ahmed run 3 from in the jaws - confirms that Ahmed did indeed run hoop 3 Ahmed Nasr leads 3-0 in game 1 of the final
05 Mar 2017 12:30PM (Tournament); 43 Readers
Reg has one GC world championship and about 4 AC ones. Ahmed has 2 GC world championship gold medals and a world teams medal.
05 Mar 2017 12:31PM (Tournament); 43 Readers
Blue is NNE of hoop 4 - would be difficult to run - probably impossible?
05 Mar 2017 12:31PM (Tournament); 42 Readers
Red takes good position
05 Mar 2017 12:31PM (Tournament); 42 Readers
Ahmed plays black down.... he has blocked himself on red!!
05 Mar 2017 12:31PM (Tournament); 42 Readers
Black and red about a foot apart, blue a further 3.5 feet back -will need a double clearance, but if he gets it right, a lot of good things could happen for him
05 Mar 2017 12:32PM (Tournament); 42 Readers
Reg playing in from East boundary next to hoop 3
05 Mar 2017 12:32PM (Tournament); 42 Readers
Excellent shot to 18 inches dead in front
05 Mar 2017 12:32PM (Tournament); 41 Readers
Ahmed plays quickly - tries for the double clearance - only gets partner, and has rushed both of his balls offside. Reg makes no mistake of the hoop and runs it from a slight angle with no side Ahmed Nasr leads 3-1
05 Mar 2017 12:33PM (Tournament); 40 Readers
Black to play next - from the East penalty spot. Blue is hit over to the middle of the west boundary.
05 Mar 2017 12:34PM (Tournament); 40 Readers
The area in front of hoop 5 is probably the quickest spot on the lawn, and Ahmed plays black in from the east boundary - perfect shot - blade of grass perfect!!
05 Mar 2017 12:35PM (Tournament); 42 Readers
Black is in front, totally blocking red on the south boundary
05 Mar 2017 12:35PM (Tournament); 42 Readers
Yellow plays in - this is the same situation as in JPs game - and again that ball plays in and elects to clear hoping not to jaws or rush peel. Good yellow played in
05 Mar 2017 12:36PM (Tournament); 40 Readers
Blue comes in. I fancied that clearing
05 Mar 2017 12:36PM (Tournament); 40 Readers
Reg shoots - Perfect! - rushes black to the north boundary and it's completely wired.
05 Mar 2017 12:36PM (Tournament); 38 Readers
Ahmed plays back in to the peg, conceding the hoop
05 Mar 2017 12:36PM (Tournament); 41 Readers
Bit of mucking around with the ref as yellow might be in a sandpit - they check the ground, it's fine - Reg runs hoop 5 powerfully. Ahmed Nasr leads 3-2
05 Mar 2017 12:37PM (Tournament); 40 Readers
Blue plays in - it's open on yellow!
05 Mar 2017 12:38PM (Tournament); 41 Readers
Red is in, but a bit short - very runnable for Reg though
05 Mar 2017 12:38PM (Tournament); 42 Readers
Black comes in to good position, and Reg is going to shoot. Needs this really to establish himself
05 Mar 2017 12:38PM (Tournament); 44 Readers
shoots... misses to his left.
05 Mar 2017 12:38PM (Tournament); 44 Readers
Ahmed can how clear red getting to hoop 7. Plays it well - red to the middle of west boundary, blue to a few yards along from corner 2 -very runnable there.
05 Mar 2017 12:39PM (Tournament); 42 Readers
Reg shooting... misses to his right. It's a bit of a scatter early in this match
05 Mar 2017 12:40PM (Tournament); 44 Readers
Ahmed has an easy hoop. Will he use a bit of control, or just thrash?
05 Mar 2017 12:40PM (Tournament); 45 Readers
Controlled power - nice hoop. Ahmed Nasr leads 4-2
05 Mar 2017 12:40PM (Tournament); 44 Readers
That ball on the north boundary is an interesting one - it gives you a free hack at hoop 7, or you probably need to clear something
05 Mar 2017 12:40PM (Tournament); 45 Readers
It keeps yellow back though.. Reg plays yellow off the north boundary
05 Mar 2017 12:41PM (Tournament); 47 Readers
Blue plays in - with Ahmed's touch, chances are it's a dead block on yellow
05 Mar 2017 12:41PM (Tournament); 44 Readers
Red comes back - decent shot is in front - Ahmed will clear this.
05 Mar 2017 12:41PM (Tournament); 45 Readers
Just the edge of blue is blocking yellow
05 Mar 2017 12:41PM (Tournament); 44 Readers
Ahmed has a powerful swing - misses! - no black pipey stuff up on the top half of the west boundary - that ball reboundes having been shot from the middle of north boundary.. to corner 4!
05 Mar 2017 12:42PM (Tournament); 47 Readers
Reg clears blue to the middle of west boundary. Blue shooting back at red.
05 Mar 2017 12:42PM (Tournament); 48 Readers
Reg appears to be lurking around north of hoop 2, with a bit of movement, and Ahmed tells him to go away. The yellow ref stands her ground.
05 Mar 2017 12:43PM (Tournament); 48 Readers
Ahmed shoots - misses
05 Mar 2017 12:43PM (Tournament); 48 Readers
Reg shooting at hoop 7 - nice controlled shot - comes off the south boundary - he has some very easy power. Ahmed leads 4-3
05 Mar 2017 12:43PM (Tournament); 47 Readers
That's two misses by Ahmed
05 Mar 2017 12:44PM (Tournament); 47 Readers
Black into position - 2 yards straight, but yellow can see that
05 Mar 2017 12:44PM (Tournament); 50 Readers
red. Red can see that
05 Mar 2017 12:44PM (Tournament); 50 Readers
Reg plays yellow in well, and Ahmed is playing blue in from the middle of the south boundary - it's long! - ends up almost next to the hoop and unrunnable
05 Mar 2017 12:44PM (Tournament); 50 Readers
Reg shooting...
05 Mar 2017 12:45PM (Tournament); 50 Readers
Hits most of black, rushing it up to the middle of the north boundary. That was about a 9 yarder and was well struck
05 Mar 2017 12:45PM (Tournament); 50 Readers
Ahmed shooting - clears yellow!!!
05 Mar 2017 12:45PM (Tournament); 48 Readers
Live stream from Pete Landrebe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWErHI3bRQ85TiGVJ5fqQww
05 Mar 2017 12:46PM (Tournament); 48 Readers
blue taps in front, and yellow clears it. Yellow now about 6-7 yards away
05 Mar 2017 12:46PM (Tournament); 43 Readers
Blue plays back in - will black clear yellow?? - that's longish - corner 1 to next to hoop 5 - probably not
05 Mar 2017 12:46PM (Tournament); 41 Readers
Reg checking out the court before playing
05 Mar 2017 12:47PM (Tournament); 41 Readers
That's currently 11 people watching the live stream
05 Mar 2017 12:47PM (Tournament); 40 Readers
Reg on the west boundary, a yard south of the mid marker. Looked like he was considering taking on the hoop!
05 Mar 2017 12:47PM (Tournament); 40 Readers
Lines up blue - but then dribbles red in front
05 Mar 2017 12:47PM (Tournament); 39 Readers
Black play in really well - parks a couple of mm in front of red!
05 Mar 2017 12:48PM (Tournament); 38 Readers
Chris thinks he's a bit unlucky getting that - won't have the power clearance available to him. He'll have to play more gently now, as Reg clears blue off the west boundary level with hoop 1.
05 Mar 2017 12:49PM (Tournament); 36 Readers
Yellow is a couple of yards left of hoop 1, Ahmed decides to not take his halfball target and plays blue a bit east
05 Mar 2017 12:49PM (Tournament); 37 Readers
If these are in contact, Reg might fancy trying to run this hoop, but i think there's a couple of mm there.
05 Mar 2017 12:49PM (Tournament); 36 Readers
Lots of people following the commentary at this venue - any insights - send them in: [email protected]
05 Mar 2017 12:50PM (Tournament); 36 Readers
Pacing - he'll use his minute up here
05 Mar 2017 12:50PM (Tournament); 36 Readers
Hand on hip - if there's a minute time limit on each shot, you need to have a couple of time-outs available for the important shots.
05 Mar 2017 12:50PM (Tournament); 36 Readers
And... we have markers on the ground - go ref!!!
05 Mar 2017 12:51PM (Tournament); 36 Readers
I can't see a ref faulting Reg
05 Mar 2017 12:51PM (Tournament); 38 Readers
Plays it very cleanly. Black west of the hoop, red east - Pretty neutral. Forcing some clearances and claiming the short boundary for himself
05 Mar 2017 12:52PM (Tournament); 42 Readers
If I look like I have additional tactical insight today - well, I do. Chris is standing right behind me :)
05 Mar 2017 12:52PM (Tournament); 41 Readers
Black plays back in. Yellow clears blue centrally and stays 5 yards from the hoop. Blue has played back in - but it's short 'bad shot, it needs to be a yard longer than that" - it's slap bang in front -good for some, but allows a clearance getting in front
05 Mar 2017 12:53PM (Tournament); 48 Readers
Red will clear black. We're not expecting black back at yellow, as yellow isn't in front (Felix would nail this, but he's an incredible shot)
05 Mar 2017 12:53PM (Tournament); 50 Readers
Reg powers both balls off the boundary
05 Mar 2017 12:53PM (Tournament); 49 Readers
Black plays back in. Ahmed's opportunity is that blue will be cleared, and can come back in from the west boundary trying to block red from corner 1. We'll soon have Ahmed with 2 balls in front
05 Mar 2017 12:54PM (Tournament); 50 Readers
Reg clearing - just snicks blue from 4 yards!!
05 Mar 2017 12:54PM (Tournament); 51 Readers
Ahmed plays back in - he could have had a go at that hoop - that wasn't very positive from Ahmed. "Doing a JP with his hoops" (says JP, who got a bit of abuse for not taking on hoops)
05 Mar 2017 12:55PM (Tournament); 49 Readers
Maybe he hopes Reg will miss some 8 yarders..
05 Mar 2017 12:55PM (Tournament); 45 Readers
Hits the first one well! - red is a yard west of hoop 5, and he's put black in teh middle of the east boundary
05 Mar 2017 12:55PM (Tournament); 47 Readers
Black back, but it's short, though runnable, Red getting a central clearance could stay in position
05 Mar 2017 12:56PM (Tournament); 45 Readers
Reg shoots with yellow... clears both blue and black! Unlucky double clearance in a way though - red now can't clear black holding any sort of position.
05 Mar 2017 12:56PM (Tournament); 44 Readers
All balls nearish hoop 5.
05 Mar 2017 12:56PM (Tournament); 45 Readers
Blue plays back in. Red has to clear it, as black has a 4 yarder on yellow pointing at the middle of north boundary
05 Mar 2017 12:57PM (Tournament); 44 Readers
Red off 10 yards up west boundary, blue a yard up from corner 1
05 Mar 2017 12:57PM (Tournament); 42 Readers
Ahmed back in with black - Ref needs to get a good yellow in tight behind black to block from blue and be in hoop running position
05 Mar 2017 12:58PM (Tournament); 43 Readers
Tries, but he's too narrow - probably not runnable. Open - but now black is all over it and can clear yellow getting to hoop 9.
05 Mar 2017 12:58PM (Tournament); 43 Readers
Blue plays up - it's short! - really bad shot.
05 Mar 2017 12:58PM (Tournament); 44 Readers
Reg clears black well. Yellow doesn't look runnable though.
05 Mar 2017 12:58PM (Tournament); 44 Readers
Alix... check this out: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWErHI3bRQ85TiGVJ5fqQww
05 Mar 2017 12:59PM (Tournament); 44 Readers
That's the live streaming of the final
05 Mar 2017 12:59PM (Tournament); 45 Readers
Well, it's Pete's channell
05 Mar 2017 12:59PM (Tournament); 45 Readers
Black plays in well.
05 Mar 2017 12:59PM (Tournament); 45 Readers
No - the hoop is well no - 45 degrees and 2 yards. Red in a decent place for 9...
05 Mar 2017 1:00PM (Tournament); 45 Readers
red on halfway line, onside
05 Mar 2017 1:00PM (Tournament); 45 Readers
Yellow plays... bounces back
05 Mar 2017 1:00PM (Tournament); 44 Readers
Ahmed wants the hoop tapped down. It looks unrunnable, just jawsing. Doesn't want it tapped down for jawsing. The referees are armed!! - two of them have rubber mallets. The others pointy sticks with nails.
05 Mar 2017 1:01PM (Tournament); 45 Readers
It's a magnificent shot - Blue runs the hoop gently. Ahmed is the best at this angle and distance I've ever seen
05 Mar 2017 1:01PM (Tournament); 44 Readers
Ahmed lead 5-3
05 Mar 2017 1:01PM (Tournament); 43 Readers
Reg plays in well - 1 yard, 10 degrees.
05 Mar 2017 1:02PM (Tournament); 44 Readers
Ahmed thinking about having two goes. Shoots with black. Hits halfball on the right - good shot!
05 Mar 2017 1:02PM (Tournament); 47 Readers
Reg playing off the boundary in front of the hoop
05 Mar 2017 1:02PM (Tournament); 48 Readers
Black is about 3 yards along the south boundary from corner 4
05 Mar 2017 1:03PM (Tournament); 47 Readers
Blue plays in -not blocking. Red comes back in
05 Mar 2017 1:03PM (Tournament); 47 Readers
Amir Ramses, WCF President, is sitting in the lawn 2 shelter - he admits to being very stressed during Ahmed's semi final with Felix. Everyone was in praise of Felix Webby's play, and manner, and winning speech, at the event dinner last night
05 Mar 2017 1:04PM (Tournament); 52 Readers
Black shoots to clear red...misses a 7 yarder!
05 Mar 2017 1:04PM (Tournament); 54 Readers
Reg clears blue to 5 yards in front of hoop 1
05 Mar 2017 1:04PM (Tournament); 54 Readers
Blue shooting - he needs this one
05 Mar 2017 1:04PM (Tournament); 53 Readers
Misses on his left. Yellow is onside up about level with hoop 10 on the east boundary, and red has an angled 4 foot hoop
05 Mar 2017 1:05PM (Tournament); 49 Readers
Runs it - and it comes out at the same angle. The hoop has a massive lean to the right, and red is now 6 inches off the east boundary, a yard south of corner 2. New hoops - please!
05 Mar 2017 1:06PM (Tournament); 49 Readers
Makes Ahmed most black to the west penalty spot.
05 Mar 2017 1:06PM (Tournament); 50 Readers
He plays in -about 3 yards, on the west (correct side), runnable Ahmed Nasr leads 5-4
05 Mar 2017 1:06PM (Tournament); 49 Readers
Reg plays yellow inside black - good shot, but we think it's open - Chris checking
05 Mar 2017 1:06PM (Tournament); 50 Readers
Thanks for the kind words Alix,
05 Mar 2017 1:07PM (Tournament); 50 Readers
Chris reports back - yellow has the block on black.
05 Mar 2017 1:07PM (Tournament); 49 Readers
Blue plays in. Red shoots from near corner 3 ... misses on his left
05 Mar 2017 1:07PM (Tournament); 50 Readers
A half-ball contact should leave yellow wired from blue... no - it's open
05 Mar 2017 1:07PM (Tournament); 49 Readers
Yellow shoots back a mid pace... misses badly on his right - wipes that one away with the back of his hand across his forehead
05 Mar 2017 1:08PM (Tournament); 48 Readers
It's very hard to fix a scatter miss pattern - he's almost alternating missing left and right
05 Mar 2017 1:08PM (Tournament); 50 Readers
Ahmed runs hoop 10 well Ahmed Nasr leads game 1 6-4
05 Mar 2017 1:09PM (Tournament); 48 Readers
Anyone who doesn't want spoilers needs to avoid facebook - Amir Ramsis has been posting updates on there!
05 Mar 2017 1:09PM (Tournament); 48 Readers
Reg plays red to hoop 11 from corner 1 - big applause from in here as he takes 1 foot straight position
05 Mar 2017 1:09PM (Tournament); 47 Readers
Black plays in - it's angled and could be in play a bit on blue at black - probably ok thogh
05 Mar 2017 1:10PM (Tournament); 48 Readers
Yellow comes in. You can see Ahmed psyching himself up for a very big, very hard shot
05 Mar 2017 1:10PM (Tournament); 48 Readers
Reg plays yellow in... it's very good - one yard straight
05 Mar 2017 1:10PM (Tournament); 48 Readers
Blue shooting at red... (I'm not sure if Black can run this hoop!!)
05 Mar 2017 1:10PM (Tournament); 50 Readers
Hits! - red to the middle of west boundary. Good to see the crowd appreciating Ahmed's play with applause
05 Mar 2017 1:11PM (Tournament); 52 Readers
Blue is 10 yards along the south boundary from corner 1
05 Mar 2017 1:11PM (Tournament); 53 Readers
Reg shooting...
05 Mar 2017 1:11PM (Tournament); 52 Readers
Hits it hard, head comes up - I think that was to the right this time. Misses
05 Mar 2017 1:12PM (Tournament); 52 Readers
Black isn't runnable - stuns yellow away - interesting if he'd have taken it on if red had come back in gently
05 Mar 2017 1:12PM (Tournament); 53 Readers
Black now in front, but deepish. Yellow returning
05 Mar 2017 1:12PM (Tournament); 53 Readers
Nice shot, but not blocking
05 Mar 2017 1:12PM (Tournament); 53 Readers
Blue is back - bit short though, and very angled. Red shooting...
05 Mar 2017 1:13PM (Tournament); 54 Readers
Rushes black off the lawn level with hoop2 - good shot. Red halfway between hoops 1 and 2
05 Mar 2017 1:13PM (Tournament); 54 Readers
Black shooting - needs this...
05 Mar 2017 1:14PM (Tournament); 54 Readers
Bonk! Yellow off the lawn level with hoop 3. Black just out of corner 4. Fantastic!
05 Mar 2017 1:14PM (Tournament); 54 Readers
Blue is in front - Reg is shooting again
05 Mar 2017 1:14PM (Tournament); 54 Readers
Head comes up quickly again, but this is in the middle. Blue off the west boundary nearish hoop 2, yellow is about 9 yards from hoop 11.
05 Mar 2017 1:15PM (Tournament); 57 Readers
The crowd is clearly mostly pro Reg, but some solid applause from the Egyptian contingent for blue taking 5 foot position
05 Mar 2017 1:15PM (Tournament); 56 Readers
The crowd is clearly mostly pro Reg, but some solid applause from the Egyptian contingent for blue taking 5 foot position
05 Mar 2017 1:15PM (Tournament); 56 Readers
Red comes up, Sorry about the repeat there
05 Mar 2017 1:15PM (Tournament); 56 Readers
we are an hour into this match - and a great match is it proving to be
05 Mar 2017 1:16PM (Tournament); 56 Readers
Red is in good position. Not blocking, but good hoop running position.
05 Mar 2017 1:16PM (Tournament); 56 Readers
Wow ... black plays up from near corner 4 - it's in front of red! That is incredibly touch
05 Mar 2017 1:16PM (Tournament); 56 Readers
Yellow clears blue. Yellow still 9 yards from the hoop. Blue on the east boundary a few yards south of the corner.
05 Mar 2017 1:17PM (Tournament); 57 Readers
Remember Ahmed is up 6-4 in this first game
05 Mar 2017 1:17PM (Tournament); 56 Readers
Ahmed sends blue powering through... misses everything
05 Mar 2017 1:17PM (Tournament); 57 Readers
Red can't run this on the ground - it looks like he's jumping
05 Mar 2017 1:17PM (Tournament); 58 Readers
No - clears black well holding position
05 Mar 2017 1:18PM (Tournament); 57 Readers
It just looked like that to me from how he originally took his grip
05 Mar 2017 1:18PM (Tournament); 56 Readers
Black plays up - looks like he tried to go through red, but it turned off - has position
05 Mar 2017 1:18PM (Tournament); 56 Readers
Yellow with a 7 yard clearance
05 Mar 2017 1:18PM (Tournament); 57 Readers
Not a great shot, and he waggles a finger at yellow as it heads into corner 1. Black has been shifted over to hoop 2 though, so part of the job is done
05 Mar 2017 1:19PM (Tournament); 57 Readers
Ahmed shooting - close miss and he hops on the spot a little
05 Mar 2017 1:19PM (Tournament); 57 Readers
Reg has an easy hoop and should be all over hoop 12 here too
05 Mar 2017 1:19PM (Tournament); 58 Readers
It's a little angled... Runs hoop 11 down to the peg - he'll be a touch disappointed with this, but there's nowhere safe for black to go
05 Mar 2017 1:20PM (Tournament); 56 Readers
Ahmed leads 6-5
05 Mar 2017 1:20PM (Tournament); 56 Readers
Black plays in very well - tight, but not blocking
05 Mar 2017 1:20PM (Tournament); 57 Readers
Yellow in corner 1, blue on east boundary level with hoop 3 (it has spent a fair bit of time there!)
05 Mar 2017 1:20PM (Tournament); 58 Readers
Yellow plays in from corner 1 - it's good - not blocking, but short and an easy angle.
05 Mar 2017 1:21PM (Tournament); 59 Readers
Red can easily get a wire here
05 Mar 2017 1:21PM (Tournament); 60 Readers
Blue wanders in - doesn't want to be out of position if the 12th hoop is run.
05 Mar 2017 1:21PM (Tournament); 58 Readers
Red at black - points to the spot - the ref is all over it and sticks the pointy stick on the spot - I don't think Ahmed can see this
05 Mar 2017 1:22PM (Tournament); 59 Readers
nope - black plays up towards the peg.
05 Mar 2017 1:22PM (Tournament); 59 Readers
Check out clarkecroquet.com for hoop 13 tactics, including the "Triangle of Danger" (not in play here)
05 Mar 2017 1:22PM (Tournament); 58 Readers
Yellow... runs hoop 12 gently - looks like he wanted to allow for the promotion - could have had a disaster there (running the hoop by a cm). Runs it ok, but not an easy rush to 13 - it bobbled a bit
05 Mar 2017 1:23PM (Tournament); 59 Readers
We're off to the 13th!!! - 6 all here in game 1!!
05 Mar 2017 1:23PM (Tournament); 59 Readers
Blue plays up - 2 yard straight position - good shot!
05 Mar 2017 1:23PM (Tournament); 61 Readers
Reg plays for the promotion - hits it badly and yellow hits the hoop - red and yellow about 3 yards from hoop 12
05 Mar 2017 1:24PM (Tournament); 61 Readers
Black plays up - applause from Charlie Sharpe up on the middle of the north boundary. Might be blocking yellow at blue too! - probably not though
05 Mar 2017 1:24PM (Tournament); 59 Readers
Yellow shooting from next to 12 - looking ... rushes blue off the north boundary directly north of hoop 13
05 Mar 2017 1:25PM (Tournament); 59 Readers
Blue has a free go... tries to dribble into position... drifts wide!!!
05 Mar 2017 1:25PM (Tournament); 60 Readers
Red shooting from hoop 12 at black.. .bonk!!!Red and yellow are two yards west of corner 4. Black can shoot at the hoop - it's fairly straight...
05 Mar 2017 1:25PM (Tournament); 62 Readers
Just needs to repeat JP's shot in game 2 against Duncan at hoop 3 - he sailed through!
Lines it up – shoots… misses the hoop entirely! – black into corner 4. Red and yellow – yes, they’re in corner 3.
(writing this on Word as croquetscores is sulking momentarily)
Yellow clears blue, Blue is back.
Red shooting for a 45 degree hoop – runs it!!!!!!! Huge fist pump, waggles a very victorious finger. Reg wins game 1 7-6 in an hour and 14 minutes
05 Mar 2017 1:28PM (Tournament); 13 Readers
Wow - that was a fantastic hoop - was about 42 degrees, from the boundary - brilliant shot
05 Mar 2017 1:29PM (Tournament); 18 Readers
Reg Bamford wins game 1 7-6 with a brilliant shot at hoop 13. Leads the world championship final 1-0
05 Mar 2017 1:30PM (Tournament); 27 Readers
Game 2: Reg Bamford v Ahmed Nasr. Reg leads 1-0
05 Mar 2017 1:30PM (Tournament); 33 Readers
Reg has to pull off two pressure clearances from hoop 12, cleared from corner 3, then nailed that hoop from nearly the corner. Incredible
05 Mar 2017 1:31PM (Tournament); 33 Readers
We are off again.
05 Mar 2017 1:37PM (Tournament); 35 Readers
Blue plays in (Ahmed) - good position
05 Mar 2017 1:37PM (Tournament); 35 Readers
Red comes in. Black plays in - that's short!
05 Mar 2017 1:37PM (Tournament); 35 Readers
Yellow shooting - misses to the right. Reg has missed a few - that that finish in the last game - wow!
05 Mar 2017 1:37PM (Tournament); 35 Readers
Many thanks to JP Moberly who is queuing for muffins for me
05 Mar 2017 1:38PM (Tournament); 37 Readers
Blue powers through the hoop 5th turn again. It's near the middle of the north boundary!!!
05 Mar 2017 1:38PM (Tournament); 37 Readers
Ahmed Nasr leads 2-0
05 Mar 2017 1:38PM (Tournament); 37 Readers
Red plays in what happened there - it's well east
05 Mar 2017 1:39PM (Tournament); 36 Readers
Black comes up - straight - little long
05 Mar 2017 1:39PM (Tournament); 36 Readers
In comes yellow, and Ahmed plays blue in fairly tight
05 Mar 2017 1:39PM (Tournament); 36 Readers
Will Reg take on this hugely angled hoop - having a look - brilliant!! 1-1
05 Mar 2017 1:40PM (Tournament); 39 Readers
Good reply from black - perfect position
05 Mar 2017 1:40PM (Tournament); 39 Readers
Yellow shoots.. misses on his left again
05 Mar 2017 1:40PM (Tournament); 38 Readers
Blue in -probably trying to block, as it's amazingly short
05 Mar 2017 1:41PM (Tournament); 40 Readers
Red clears black - both off the boundary
05 Mar 2017 1:41PM (Tournament); 40 Readers
Black straight back in front. But Reg is on the east boundary and is feeling confident
05 Mar 2017 1:41PM (Tournament); 42 Readers
Yellow shoots - clears!
05 Mar 2017 1:41PM (Tournament); 42 Readers
Blue taps in - wired from Red near the middle of the east boundary
05 Mar 2017 1:42PM (Tournament); 43 Readers
I still think Ahmed is the best at short angled hoops, but Reg is clearly the master at the long ones!
05 Mar 2017 1:42PM (Tournament); 43 Readers
Red shoots - it was open, and he clears blue
05 Mar 2017 1:42PM (Tournament); 43 Readers
Black plays in off the north boundary
05 Mar 2017 1:42PM (Tournament); 43 Readers
Yellow plays in. Not blocking black, but a good ball
05 Mar 2017 1:43PM (Tournament); 42 Readers
Felix has swapped his teal blue Ralph Lauren polo for a playing shirt gifted to him by one of the Egyptians
05 Mar 2017 1:44PM (Tournament); 41 Readers
blue plays in front
05 Mar 2017 1:44PM (Tournament); 40 Readers
Will red clear or just smack through the hoop... lining it up..
05 Mar 2017 1:44PM (Tournament); 40 Readers
clearing..
05 Mar 2017 1:44PM (Tournament); 40 Readers
half-balls blue
05 Mar 2017 1:44PM (Tournament); 40 Readers
Blue now has a 17 yarder to stay in this hoop. He is being monstered by Reg at the moment
05 Mar 2017 1:45PM (Tournament); 41 Readers
Nope - it was black to play of course... runs hoop 3 from the north boundary!! Ahmed leads 2-1
05 Mar 2017 1:45PM (Tournament); 44 Readers
Yellow plays down - but it's open to black
05 Mar 2017 1:46PM (Tournament); 44 Readers
Blue comes in - keeps it well west to avoid accidentally clearing his own ball as well
05 Mar 2017 1:46PM (Tournament); 44 Readers
Reg plays red in from the east boundary - tight in front, but it's an easy hoop for blue still - needs to hit yellow...
05 Mar 2017 1:46PM (Tournament); 46 Readers
hits about 35% of it - rushing yellow towards the middle of the west boundary, but a few yards in. Black is now high on the east boundary
05 Mar 2017 1:47PM (Tournament); 41 Readers
Reg shoots - snicks blue, but that just rushes it straighter, though longer. Actaully - pretty good, as it's now in line with red
05 Mar 2017 1:47PM (Tournament); 41 Readers
This is NOT a hoop to rush-peel
05 Mar 2017 1:48PM (Tournament); 39 Readers
Chris "This is the difficult side to run this" -the hoop has a massive lean due to the hacks at hoop 9
05 Mar 2017 1:48PM (Tournament); 38 Readers
Might have been trying to run the hoop in-off - clears red and blue is now on the south boundary
05 Mar 2017 1:49PM (Tournament); 40 Readers
Red back in, black back in. Yellow tries to drift in blocking blue at red - bit far.
05 Mar 2017 1:49PM (Tournament); 41 Readers
Blue shooting - finds the gap between black and red!
05 Mar 2017 1:50PM (Tournament); 44 Readers
That was a bad shot from these guys at 9 yards
05 Mar 2017 1:50PM (Tournament); 44 Readers
Black is a bit behind red but nothing much of a bother, and Reg equalises 2-2
05 Mar 2017 1:50PM (Tournament); 44 Readers
Black tight in front of 5. Yellow tight in front of 5, blocking nothing
05 Mar 2017 1:51PM (Tournament); 40 Readers
Blue will amble back from the north boundary
05 Mar 2017 1:51PM (Tournament); 39 Readers
It's short!! Ahmed leaves blue north of hoop 5
05 Mar 2017 1:51PM (Tournament); 38 Readers
Reg shooting... another very central clearance, and Ahmed needs to hit yellow to stay in this
05 Mar 2017 1:52PM (Tournament); 40 Readers
red has gone up near hoop 6, blue is north of 5, and yellow is a foot in front!
05 Mar 2017 1:52PM (Tournament); 41 Readers
Shooting from the middle of the west boundary - absolutely nails it. Black was bobbling a bit, and both yellow and black go off. Yellow near corner 4, black 7 yards up the east boundary
05 Mar 2017 1:53PM (Tournament); 38 Readers
Yellow plays into position, Blue taps in front. Black will try to clear this yellow
05 Mar 2017 1:53PM (Tournament); 37 Readers
red plays in. black shooting - these 14 yarders need to be consistent and pretty central...boom!Black 13 yards up the west boundary, yellow directly south of hoop 1
05 Mar 2017 1:55PM (Tournament); 38 Readers
Reg shoots... hits red, red nudges blue - not sure blue can run now. Red is 9 yards NNW of hoop 5. Ahmed will tap in front to wired position
05 Mar 2017 1:55PM (Tournament); 41 Readers
Red takes position
05 Mar 2017 1:58PM (Tournament); 47 Readers
black is in front
05 Mar 2017 1:58PM (Tournament); 46 Readers
Reg shoots... misses with yellow. i was writing a quick work email, so no idea what side. Thank goodness for spectators!
05 Mar 2017 1:58PM (Tournament); 46 Readers
Ahmed runs hoop 5 Ahmed leads 3-2
05 Mar 2017 1:58PM (Tournament); 47 Readers
Blue is north east of the hoop - should have control over that red that played up south west. Black is in front.
05 Mar 2017 1:59PM (Tournament); 48 Readers
Reg tries for a tight yellow - overcooks it, and blue stops yellow away holding position. I'm going to punt that red isn't runnable!
05 Mar 2017 1:59PM (Tournament); 47 Readers
Even for Reg, from 80 degrees it's a bit tricky
05 Mar 2017 2:00PM (Tournament); 46 Readers
Red clearing black
05 Mar 2017 2:00PM (Tournament); 44 Readers
Centres the clearance - red is near the peg, black on the east boundary level with hoop 4
05 Mar 2017 2:00PM (Tournament); 40 Readers
I think Reg will take on this 6-7 yard hoop if he manages to clear blue
05 Mar 2017 2:00PM (Tournament); 38 Readers
No - it looks like Ahmed has nailed the block playing black up - yellow can shoot at blue, but red won't see the hoop
05 Mar 2017 2:01PM (Tournament); 37 Readers
Reg shoots... misses left!
05 Mar 2017 2:01PM (Tournament); 37 Readers
Ahmed Nasr leads 4-2
05 Mar 2017 2:01PM (Tournament); 37 Readers
George and Angus' grandparents - wonderful people, invaluable co-commentators!
05 Mar 2017 2:01PM (Tournament); 37 Readers
Red plays up near the north boundary
05 Mar 2017 2:02PM (Tournament); 37 Readers
Black takes tight position -looked a very good shot. The crowd are getting nervous and not showing enough appreciation of the Egyptian player's skills here
05 Mar 2017 2:02PM (Tournament); 38 Readers
Reg plays yellow in.
05 Mar 2017 2:02PM (Tournament); 38 Readers
Ahmed in the middle of the north boundary with blue. Plays mid pace towards the jaws ... bounces gently off the near wire.
05 Mar 2017 2:03PM (Tournament); 37 Readers
Reg is jumping!!!!
05 Mar 2017 2:03PM (Tournament); 36 Readers
Plays it remarkably gently end goes for the hop....
05 Mar 2017 2:03PM (Tournament); 35 Readers
Misses everything
05 Mar 2017 2:03PM (Tournament); 35 Readers
Blue was on the side, but black was dead in front. Hoop tapped down and Ahmed leads 5-2
05 Mar 2017 2:04PM (Tournament); 36 Readers
Malcolm Fletcher comes for a visit - remind me that Greg Fletcher beat Ahmed Nasr in their block to take number 1 position. He has now won the bowl, but just had a bad day at the office on knockout day
05 Mar 2017 2:05PM (Tournament); 35 Readers
Lovely to see him here - very nice trio
05 Mar 2017 2:06PM (Tournament); 37 Readers
Yellow takes position, and blue, and red. Black shoots... misses yellow on the right!
05 Mar 2017 2:06PM (Tournament); 36 Readers
Ahmed Nasr leads 5-3
05 Mar 2017 2:06PM (Tournament); 35 Readers
Nice firm hoop stroke from Reg
05 Mar 2017 2:06PM (Tournament); 35 Readers
62 readers - looks to be a few of them here. Look up folks - brilliance on court 1!
05 Mar 2017 2:07PM (Tournament); 36 Readers
Geoff Jamieson told me to teach him to run hoop 13 from that corner. No way!
05 Mar 2017 2:07PM (Tournament); 37 Readers
Blue takes good position. Red shoots.. misses
05 Mar 2017 2:07PM (Tournament); 37 Readers
Black plays back down from the north boundary. The Egyptians applaud
05 Mar 2017 2:07PM (Tournament); 39 Readers
Yellow shooting - quarter balls blue away - yellow off the east boundary right next to red
05 Mar 2017 2:08PM (Tournament); 38 Readers
Blue plays back in - badly - tight and probably unrunnable. Ahmed looks unhappy at that
05 Mar 2017 2:08PM (Tournament); 40 Readers
Red shooting back at black...
05 Mar 2017 2:08PM (Tournament); 39 Readers
Nails it. Red to north of hoop 1, black coming back in from the middle of south boundary
05 Mar 2017 2:09PM (Tournament); 39 Readers
Sherif is settled in corner 1 with his gear. Pete is still in corner 2.
05 Mar 2017 2:09PM (Tournament); 41 Readers
Yellow clears black - blue isn't in front. Nice shot - yellow 5 yards away
05 Mar 2017 2:09PM (Tournament); 41 Readers
Blue takes position to the east
05 Mar 2017 2:09PM (Tournament); 43 Readers
Kiwi lads have vacated the north boundary. Celebrating Reg's first game win with a round of rum and cokes!
05 Mar 2017 2:10PM (Tournament); 44 Readers
Red plays in very deep
05 Mar 2017 2:10PM (Tournament); 46 Readers
Reminder: 5-3 to Ahmed
05 Mar 2017 2:10PM (Tournament); 47 Readers
We could be here for a few more games, so if I can do anything better: [email protected]
05 Mar 2017 2:11PM (Tournament); 47 Readers
Yellow clears blue "Wrong side of it, he's got the wrong side of it - monster error!" (Chris is back)
05 Mar 2017 2:11PM (Tournament); 47 Readers
Yellow clears blue, but cuts it towards corner 4, leaving it a clearance on red.
05 Mar 2017 2:11PM (Tournament); 47 Readers
Punished! - blue rushes red into corner 1, and takes the boundary in front of hoop 9
05 Mar 2017 2:11PM (Tournament); 47 Readers
Red shoots - misses!
05 Mar 2017 2:13PM (Tournament); 45 Readers
Black runs hoop 9 up to nearly into corner 3 Ahmed leads game 2 6-3
05 Mar 2017 2:13PM (Tournament); 45 Readers
I hope they race out there and do some serious work on hoop 9 - it has been battered in teh first two games and is almost lying down in defeat!
05 Mar 2017 2:13PM (Tournament); 43 Readers
Yellow takes position - probably open
05 Mar 2017 2:14PM (Tournament); 41 Readers
it's interesting - Ahmed has taken a good look at that
05 Mar 2017 2:14PM (Tournament); 41 Readers
takes deep position with blue - it's very very deep
05 Mar 2017 2:15PM (Tournament); 43 Readers
Some sort of chicken salad, and a toasted sandwich in a MOUNTAIN of chips have just been delivered. Great catering, but those portions are HUGE. Good luck there girls!
05 Mar 2017 2:16PM (Tournament); 40 Readers
ok... red is in, black drifts in - yellow runs a rather angled hoop well. Ahmed Nasr leads 6-4
05 Mar 2017 2:16PM (Tournament); 40 Readers
Ahmed lead 6-4 in the previous game also
05 Mar 2017 2:17PM (Tournament); 41 Readers
Blue takes position
05 Mar 2017 2:17PM (Tournament); 41 Readers
Red plays a lovely clearance on black, ricocheting into hoop running position. Great shot, since both balls were near hoop 10
05 Mar 2017 2:17PM (Tournament); 42 Readers
Black plays back from the boundary near hoop 1- very good shot - probably blocking red!
05 Mar 2017 2:18PM (Tournament); 44 Readers
Yellow clearing - gets the double!!!
05 Mar 2017 2:18PM (Tournament); 45 Readers
They didn't go that far, but Ahmed has a 11 yarder he needs to his on red. Yellow is down near hoop 12
05 Mar 2017 2:18PM (Tournament); 43 Readers
This match is a treat - I hope we get 5 games.
05 Mar 2017 2:19PM (Tournament); 44 Readers
Blue shoots - misses!
05 Mar 2017 2:19PM (Tournament); 45 Readers
Reg with a 3 yard hoop...
05 Mar 2017 2:19PM (Tournament); 46 Readers
Runs it well - off the south boundary. I think we'll see a 13th hoop here!
05 Mar 2017 2:19PM (Tournament); 46 Readers
Ahmed Nasr leads 6-5
05 Mar 2017 2:19PM (Tournament); 46 Readers
Black plays in - he'll be trying to wire from red -applause shows he made it - yellow needs to clear
05 Mar 2017 2:20PM (Tournament); 47 Readers
Yellow from 5 yards...
05 Mar 2017 2:20PM (Tournament); 47 Readers
Head drops - yellow to the east boundary and black is just snicked south of hoop 12. Ahmed can't run it, but he's now in pole position
05 Mar 2017 2:20PM (Tournament); 46 Readers
Blue plays in from the north boundary - lovely tight ball!
05 Mar 2017 2:20PM (Tournament); 46 Readers
Reg probably needs to clear this, as black might be able to block the shot from yellow
05 Mar 2017 2:21PM (Tournament); 46 Readers
A centre ball clearance would be huge here
05 Mar 2017 2:21PM (Tournament); 46 Readers
no - Reg dribbles up - very good shot - black can't clear it - but he is fully relying in clearing with yellow
05 Mar 2017 2:21PM (Tournament); 48 Readers
Ahmed playing for the block - it looks open
05 Mar 2017 2:21PM (Tournament); 49 Readers
Yellow from the east boundary...
05 Mar 2017 2:22PM (Tournament); 50 Readers
misses badly on the right
05 Mar 2017 2:22PM (Tournament); 50 Readers
Tony reckons Reg lost some balance backwards during the stroke. I agree that he seems to get a bit untidy at the top of some of those powerful backswings.
05 Mar 2017 2:22PM (Tournament); 49 Readers
Ahmed Nasr being super concerned about uneven patches of ground. The referee looks reluctant, and he's fiddling with his ball - you want to be careful in GC - they'll fault you for less!!
05 Mar 2017 2:23PM (Tournament); 49 Readers
Reg isn't that kind of player, and he has retreated to corner 3
05 Mar 2017 2:23PM (Tournament); 50 Readers
As promised, we'll leave this commentary and start a part 2 thread after this game
05 Mar 2017 2:23PM (Tournament); 50 Readers
Reg knows this game is gone. Ahmed hits an almighty swipe --- Ahmed Nasr wins 7-5 to equalise in the world championship final. Let's start part 2
05 Mar 2017 2:24PM (Tournament); 49 Readers
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