GCWTC: Tier 1: Day 7: New Zealand are World Champions

[<<] [>>] by Dr Ian Vincent at Surbiton
21st May 2016 (International)

New Zealand now hold both the MacRobertson and the Openshaw Shields, winning the final against Egypt 7-5, with one match left unfinished, on the seventh and final day of the Golf Croquet World Team Championship held at Surbiton.

Egypt won the morning doubles and one of the two singles to narrow New Zealand's lead to 5-4, with four singles matches remaining. Jenny Clarke beat Mohamed Nasr to leave New Zealand needing just one more match, but Mohamed's brother Ahmed beat Duncan Dixon before Phillip Drew final clinched the championship by running hoop 13 in the third
game against Hamy Erian, at which point the final match, between Chris Clarke and Mohamed Karem, was agreed drawn.

At the other end of the table, the 7th/8th play-off went down to the wire, with William Louw for South Africa winning 7-6 6-7 7-6 against Ian Burridge for Wales in the deciding match, to give them the test by 5 matches to 4. This means that Australia, who won Tier 2, will replace Wales when Tier 1 is next played. Norway won Tier 3.

After being presented with the Shield by David Openshaw, the New Zealand captain Chris Clarke thanked the volunteer cooks, bar staff, groundsman and helpers from the Surbiton club, who had worked so tirelessly behind the scenes, paid tribute to his team and the youngsters snapping at their heels, and announced his retirement from playing international croquet.