Michael here, using Jenny's account to do the commentary

We have 3 hours for the second game. Conditions are very pleasant - the lightest of breezes, a gentle sun warming the grass. Players have not been having trouble getting balls to stop where they wanted them, and hoops have not resisted much.

Jenny starts the game by playing Blue to 8y N of IV

Simon plays Red to just S of II

Jenny shoots with Black, yards in just N of Blue.

Simon shoots Yellow at the double ... hits Black

Black is placed 1y E of 4, and Blue is rushed to 3y SW of 1. The approach is good, and Simon runs 1, with a backward rush on Yellow

Oops that is a backward rush on Blue

Blue is sent to 4y NE of 3, and Yellow hits Red in II

The approach leaves Red just off the yard line 8y E of II, but Yellow has an angled hoop. Simon fails 2, Yellow bouncing to 4y W of 2.

Jenny shoots with Blue, missed Black by a foot.

Blue is now on the S boundary, S of 4, and Black is 1y E of 4.

Red at Yellow, hits. Yellow is rushed to halfway between 1 and 2

Red takes off from Yellow to Black, cuts it to the S boundary 4y E of Blue

Black is moved infield to 3y W of 4, nd Blue is rushed to 2y W of 1. The approach is good, but Simon gently blobs the hoop.

Blue misses a short (7yard?) Yellow, to the N boundary just E of 2

Red was not runnable, so Simon shoots at Black by 4. Misses.

Jenny shoots Black to a wide join with Blue, about 6y apart on the N boundary, Black at the end of B baulk

Simon shoots with Yellow at Blue, about 18y, misses.Blue and Yellow are touching, on N boundary, with Black 6y E, and Red 2Y N of IV

Jenny sends Y to 2yE of 2, but fails to get a good rush on Black. Takes croquet from peg-high on W boundary, rolls to 2y infield, about 1y S of 1. Leaves Blue halfway between Black and 1.

Simon shoots with Yellow, from hoop 2. Misses into corner I

Black hits Yellow, and sends it to 7y S of 2. Blue is rushed behind 1, and the hoop is made. Lots of Murray control results in a short forward rush, so Blue can be sent to 3y W of 3, and Yellow is rushed to 2

Black makes 2, and rushes Yellow to the end of B baulk, and sends it to 4ft NE of 4. Blue gets rushed to behind 3.

The break is now under control. Red is waiting just N of IV.

Black makes 3, and takes off from Blue to Red. Blue is left 3y SW of 3.

Jenny carefully picks a spot to rush Red that does not have furniture in the way of the load on 5. Red is sent to 2y E of 5, and 4 is made with Yellow, all the way to the boundary (slightly angled hoop shot)

Jenny misses the 4y return roquet on Yellow, yarding Black in on the N boundary halfway between hoop 2 and the end of B baulk

Yellow snicks the 5 yarder on Red, barely moving it.

Red is sent to 5y NNE of 3, leaving a 1y rush for Yellow on Blue, that has Blue yarded in 4y E of Black

A takeoff to Black yields a rush to the hoop. Yellow runs the hoop to the boundary, and rushes Black infield, to 7y NNW of 5

Takes off to Blue on the N boundary, sends it to 3y NNE of 4, but with no rush on Red. Rolls to 3 and powers through the hoop to 1y past 4!

Correction - Simon ran 3, then missed the forward rush on Red

Jenny plays Blue, hits 4 yarder on Yellow.

Yellow is sent back to just SE of 3, and Red is rushed to 1y E of 2. A takeoff to Black (about 4y W of the peg) yields a rush to 1

Black is rushed to 3y S of 1. Good approach and hoop stroke leaves forward rush to 4y NW of peg. Only a takeoff needed, because Yellow is already at 3.

Red is used to make 2 - hoop and roquet

Red is sent to 4y NW of 4, and Blue is rushed to the E boundary just S of 3.

make that Black that gets rushed....

Black is sent to 4ft WNW of 4 - much better pioneer

Blue runs 3, and rushes Yellow backward. Rolls Yellow to 4y NE of 5, taps Red, and loads 5 with Red

4 is run, and Black is tapped infield a bit. Sends it to 1y S of 6, and pivots of Yellow to get to hoop 5 with Red. Yellow is sent to 3y W of 5

Blue makes 5, and sends Red to 1b (hits the hoop, lodges there). Yellow goes into pivot position 5y W of the peg, and 6 is made of partner.

Black is sent to 8ft N of 2b, and Yellow is rushed towards 1b. Takeoff from Yellow to tap Red, leaving it in the jaws. Nice and easy hoop, and Red is sent to leave position 2y infield, 11y S of II

Yellow is sent to 1ft SW of 3b, and Black is used to approach 2b from about 2ft N. Over-rolls the approach. Retires to II

RECAP:
Simon is about to play, having the option of a lift. His clips are Red on 1, and Yellow on 4.
Jenny has Blue clip on 2b, and Black on 5.

Blue is in corner II, Black is a yard off A baulk S of hoop 1.
Yellow is by hoop 4.

Simon lifts Red and rushes Black to 1. Makes the hoop and rushes Black to 4y W of the E boundary, peg high.

Takes off the Yellow and rushes it to 11y S of Blue (in corner II)

Sends Yellow to 4y NNW of 2, going to Blue, and sends Blue to 3y W of 3. Gets long hoop position, but fails hoop. Red and Yellow are wired by hoop 2, and the hoop does not look runnable.

Jenny will shoot with Black at Blue - hits! Takes croquet about 3yNNW of 3.

Takes off the 2 wired oppo balls at 2. Needs a rush to 5. Uses Yellow to get rush on Red, sending Yellow halfway between 2 and 6. Takes croquet off Red 3y SW of 5.

Good approach and hoop shot, taps Red and takes off from 2y E of peg to Blue. Rushes Blue infield to a foot from Yellow. Loads 1b with Blue, and rushes Yellow to 6

Just manages to make 6, no shot of Yellow, so takes on the 8 yarder at Blue (by 1b).

Hits, rushing Blue to 2y SW of corner. Loads 2b with Blue, excellent croquet shot getting a rush to 1b on Red.

Under-hits the rush, leaving Red 4y short. Takes off to Yellow (N of 6)and gets a rush to 1b. Maybe this was the plan.....

Rushes Yellow to 8ft W of 1b. Good approach leaves straight hoop, which is run.

Red is left 5y NW of the peg, and Yellow is rushed to the W boundary, then sent to 4ft W of 3b. 2b is made off Blue.

Blue is rushed into the hoop, so she takes croquet just S of 1. Big roll sends Blue to 2y SE of 4b, with a rush on Red towards 3b.

Red is rushed to 3y SW of Yellow, and sent to halfway between 3b and 4b. The hoop is made off Y, a bit hard, leaving Black next to Red. A takeoff back to Yellow sees Yellow rushed to 4y infield of the E boundary, peg high.

Yellow is sent to 1y NW of penult, and Blue is rushed closer to 4b. The hoop is made, Blue is roqued, and sent toward penult - about 2y E of the hoop.

Red is rushed N of Yellow, then sent to 3y SW of penult. Does not look like Rover will be made this turn.

Penult is made with hoop and roquet on Yellow. It is sent to 5y SE of penult, but the rush on Blue cannons Yellow to just off the E boundary, peg high. Blue is sent to 3y NW of IV, and Black retires to II. Red is still 3y E of penult.

RECAP
Simon has Red clip on 2, Yellow clip on 4.
Jenny has Blue clip on 2b, Black clip on Rover.

Black is in corner II, and Blue is 3y NW of corner IV.
Yellow is almost on the E boundary, peg high, and Red is 3y E of Penult.

Simon has a lift.

Simon lifts Yellow to the end of B baulk.Shoots at Red, misses to 1y E of corner I.

Jenny carefully picks a spot close to Blue that does not leave any targets for oppo. Goes over to Black and shoots.... does not hit the designated spot, but manages to leave a single ball target for Red... maybe a ball and a bit.

Red shoots and misses,

Blue uses Red to get a rush on Black to Yellow. Yellow is a foot out of the corner - Black nicks the line just short of the corner. Yellow is rushed to 5ft N of the hoop, and is left there while the hoop is run.

Blue roquets Black, and sends it to 4y SW of 4b. Nice rush on Yellow to S boundary 10y W of corner IV.

Takeoff to get a rush on Red, which is 4y SE of 3b. Red is rushed to the hoop, and the hoop is made with a rush on Red back to Yellow.

The rush hits half-ball, leaving Red 5y NW of Yellow. Takeoff to next to Yellow, followed by a big roll to put Yellow 2y S of penult, and Blue with a rush on Black towards 4b

Black is rushed just past the hoop, but a takeoff and hoop stroke allows Black to be rushed to 2y W of corner IV. A big roll puts it 2ft WNW of Rover, and Red is rushed to 4y N of hoop 1.

Blue takes off to Yellow at Penult, rushes it through the hoop! Easy approach and hoop stroke, but no forward rush - making sure of the hoop!

Yellow is rolled to deep reception 4y S of Rover, and Red is rushed to 2y SW of the hoop. A takeoff and gentle nudge on Black is just short of easy peeling, but Jenny has a look at the angle.

Black is put in the jaws, with Blue just behind. A jump shot sends them both through - I did not have a clear view, but I believe the crown of the hoop was in play.

Black is rushed to 7ft E of the peg. Both balls hit the peg on the croquet stroke.

Jenny now leads Simon 2-0 in the best of 5 final

The players are back from lunch, and game 3 is about to start

Simon starts with Red to the E boundary, about 2y S of peg high

Jenny plays Blue to just out of corner II

Simon takes Yellow to the end of B baulk, and shoots at Blue

Blue moves a couple of inches - good enough to take croquet!

Blue is rolled out to halfway between the peg and hoop 4. Yellow misses the 2 yarder on Red, trying to cut it South but hitting the 91 degree spot.
Yellow is yarded in 1y S of Red

Black shoots at Blue from A baulk, missing to 2y S of III

Yellow rushes Red out 6 inches from the corner III yard marker on the North boundary.
Black is rushed to 1ft N of 4.

Black is sent to 1y E of 2, and Blue is rushed to the end of A baulk.
The hoop approach is not good - Yellow ends up 2 yards WSW of 1. Retires to III, where Red is waiting 3y SW of the corner.

Jenny shoots Blue at Black - hits the 17 yarder. Black stops 2y S of the end of B baulk

Blue roquets Yellow, and sends it 5y SE of 3. Red is rushed to 6y NE of 1. Takeoff to slightly angled hoop, made with a rush on Red back to Yellow

Red is sent to 1y E of 3, and Yellow is rushed towards Black, but does not move far - stops 3y WNW of 3. Takeoff to Black (2y S of end of B baulk) obtains a rush to 2. Black stops 4ft SE of 2.

Hoop and roquet on 2, Black is sent to 2y N of 4. Pivot off Yellow to rush Red on to hoop 3, and the break is under control.

Beealzabub's minions continue to bother Jenny. There are far too many flies in Australia.

Hoop 3 is made, and 5 is loaded with Yellow.

Hoop 4 is made with hoop and roquet. Black is sent to 2y S of 6.

The pivot (Red) moves to midway between 1 and 2. Hoop 5 is made off Yellow. Yellow is sent to 4y SE of 1b

Red goes up to 1b, and hoop 6 is made off Black. Hoop and roquet again! A rush S would have made the next stroke shorter.
Black is sent to 5y NE of 2b, and Yellow is rushed to the N boundary. It is returned to 4y NNE of 2b, and 1b is made off Red

Red is sent to 4ft W of 3b, and Black is rushed to 2B. A good hoop approach sees Blue running the hoop to the boundary.

Black is left 2y W of Rover, and Yellow is used to get a rush on Red onto the wire in front of the hoop. The hoops is made, but the NSL is no longer on.

Red is left peg-high, halfway between 3 and 4.
Yellow is sent to 4y infield from the W boundary, peg high.
Black is rushed towards IV, and rolled the rest of the way to just N of the corner.
Blue is yarded in 1y N of Black

RECAP
Jenny has made 9 hoops with Blue, setting an OSL with Red midway between 3 and 4, and Yellow 4y infield from the W boundary, also peg-high
All other clips on 1

Simon lifts Yellow and shoots at Red from A baulk. He misses into corner III

Black rushes Blue 5y NNE of Red, and sends it 2y NE of the peg, obtaining a rush on Red.
The rush goes to 2ft S of 1 - perfect!

Black makes 1, but no forward rush. Hits Red and plays a big roll leaving Red 3y SSW of 3, but the rush on Blue is slightly South of horizontal. She takes croquet S of 2, but 12 yards away.
Rolls up to 2y S of the hoop, and strokes it persuasively .....

Black is just through the hoop. An umpire is called, and the hampered shot rolls gently onto Blue.

A takeoff to Yellow leaves a 4 yarder. No problem, Yellow is sent to 3y N of 4, and Black has a rush on Red to hoop 3.
The hoop is made, and Red is rushed to the North boundary, then sent to 3y W of 6. Black is well short of Blue, so a big roll will be required.

Black takes croquet 4y ENE of 2, with both Red and the peg in the way of Black's destination.

Blue ends up in the jaws of 5, and Black has a 2 yarder on Yellow. Takes croquet 4ft NW of 4. Hoop is slightly angled - grovels through, has a clean shot on Yellow.

Yellow goes to 4ft E of 6, but Black stops 2y E of 5, leaving only half a ball visible. Blue is hit on the N side, sending it out of the hoop to the South.

After the hoop, Blue goes to 1b, and 6 is made off Yellow.

Yellow is sent to 5ft NNE of 2b, and Red is used to get to Blue at 1b.

After the hoop, Red is sent to pivot position 5y NW of 5, and Blue is sent to 1y S of 3b. 2b is made from close in... Black just makes the hoop, and the roquet is hampered.

MArkers going into the ground by the handful. Jenny looks eager to play the shot. She does a gentle sweep, and makes the roquet.

Yellow goes to 2y S of 4b, and Red is rushed to the middle of the S boundary. It is sent to halfway between 3b and 4b, and the hoop is made off Blue.

Blue is sent to 2y N of penult, and Red is used to rush Yellow close to 4b. The hoop is made, and Yellow is sent to Rover

Penult is made, with Black flirting with the peg. Fortunately Red is open, and the break continues.

Rover is made, and the leave is set. Yellow goes to 7y S of hoop 1, Red by the peg, and Blue and Black on the E boundary with a rush to Yellow.

RECAP:
Jenny has just gone to the peg with Black, having Blue on 4b earlier.
Simon has not made any hoops yet.

The leave is Yellow 7y S of hoop1, Red wired from Yellow by the peg, and Blue and Black on the E boundary just out of IV. Correction of earlier prediction - no rush to Yellow, both balls are on the boundary.

Simon lifts Yellow and shoots at Blue - hits! This will be his first croquet stroke of the game.

Black is rushed infield towards Red, and then sent to 1y W of 1, and Red is rushed to 3y S of hoop 1

Hoop 1 is run, with a rush South on Red. It is tapped, and sent to 2y SE of 3. Black is rushed closer to 2. Hoop and roquet!

Black is sent to 4ft W of 4, and Yellow has a 3 yarder on Red. Takes croquet 4y WSW of 3, takes off to run a straight hoop.

Red is rushed to just NW of 6. He takes off to Blue, and sends it towards 5. Hoop 4 is made off Black.

Simon is playing a neat 4bb. He has just made 1b

after making 3b, Simon sets the balls out for the "Southern Cross" - Red and Yellow in corners II and IV, and oppo balls close to boundaries, peg-high.

Jenny lifts Blue and shoots at Yellow in IV. Black is 2y infield off the EB, peg high.

Blue hits! She sends Yellow to the jaws of penult, but gets a rush on Black towards III

Black is cut to 3y E of 4b.Gets straight position and rams Blue through the hoop.

Black is sent to 4y N of Rover, and Yellow is gently touched, remaining in the jaws.

ter the hoop, Yellow is sent to 5y S of Rover, and Blue takes off from Black to straight hoop running position.

The hoop is run to the S boundary

The nervous 5-yarder is hit, and a takeoff obtains a rush on Black to the peg

A 2 yard peg out is required

Both balls hit the peg on the croquet stroke

Jenny wins the Australian Open