Good morning from Surbiton.  This match is on lawn 7.

If you're wondering why i'm commentating on unadjacent lawns, my fellow commentator is concerned that certain GB players are not reacting favourably to constructive criticism.  So he's writing about the self-indulgent ones.

Everyone's shaking hands before the off.

G1T1  Dumergue Blue 3ySSW of peg.

G1T2  Fulford Red just S of 2nd corner

G1T3 Fletcher Black hits Red.  Makes 1 off Blue.  Now approaching 2 from W bdry.  Short.

G1T3  Black retires to 4th corner (i think).

G1T4  Lines Yellow hits Red (6y).  He's now approaching 1 off Black from 3 yards, makes it.

G1T4 ctd Lines Yellow rushes Black 5y ENE of 3.  Taking off to Red, which is 5y NNW of 2.  Good take-off.  The Blue ball is near 4th corner.  Makes 2, has rush toward Blue.  Rushes Red into hoop 4, staying near hoop.  Take-off to Blue, gets rush down to Black.  Now has 4-ball break.

G1T4 ctd Lines is round to 4-back.  Spread coming up.

Yellow on 4-back.  Spread with Blue at peg, Black 1y in from W bdry.

G1T5  Fletcher lifts Black (for 2),taking "short" shot at Red.  Hits (16y).  Unfortunately Blue isn't tight enough to peg:  it will rush to 2.

G1T5  Fletcher Black rushes Blues to 5y SE 2 (maybe peg was in the way a bit).  Copes.  Yellow is at 3 if he wants the TPO...

Samir Patel has joined the commentary team, so I can now concentrate on this match.

G1T5 ctd  Whether by accident or design, Fletcher (Black) has declined the TPO.  He is making 4 off Blue, with Red at 5 and Yellow by the peg.

G1T5 ctd  Fletcher Black has now made 5.  Either he's trying to do something clever, or he's not in control.  Or maybe a bit of both.  Ah, now I see.  It's a 1-back leave coming up.  The tactic is then that Dumergue do a TPO and has 2 balls off, leaving Fletcher 1-back v Fulford on 1.  Which would be interesting.

G1T5 ctd  Fletcher Black leaves Yellow (for 4-back) 3y NNW of 1, Red (for 1) 6y SSE.  Blue (for 1) is a yard or so S of 3rd corner, Black (for 1-back) 2y W of Blue.  ish - 3rd corner's a long way from here (i'm near 4th corner of lawn 6).

G1T6  Fulford (Red) shooting at Blue (37y).  Hits.

Another triumph for 1-back tactics.

G1T6 ctd  Fulford now has trivial pick-up for standard TP.  He's thru hoop 1 with full control.

G1T6 ctd  Fulford Red has peeled Yellow thru 4-back after 3.

Friday night was barbecue night at Surbiton.  Our entertainment was a special players v commentators match.  No, I’m wrong, it was the conclusion of the Open Doubles Final.  At Cheltenham last month there was only time for one game, in which Robert Fletcher & Stephen Mulliner beat Jeff Dawson and Samir Patel +1.

Patel went round to 4-back on 3^rdturn.  Mulliner missed the 3 ducks leave.  Dawson and Mulliner exchanged a few errors before Fletcher got on the lawn.  He duly completed a TPO.  Mulliner’s clip still on 1, Dawson’s on 4.  Fletcher left Mulliner’s ball in 3^rdcorner, his own in 1^stcorner.  (Nice leave if you can get it.)  Dawson tried to roll off 4 from 3^rdcorner, and stuck in a long hoop.  Mulliner got going by rolling off 1 from 1^stcorner, and finished nicely.

G1T6 ctd  Fulford Red has peeled Yellow well thru penult after 6.

G1T6 ctd  Fulford Red has peeled Yellow thru rover before 3-back.

I understand that there are some readers of these commentaries who have failed to absorb evey word i typed yesterday.  So i now cut and paste some words to pad out the temproarily unremarkable action

"I should take this opportunity to say that the Surbiton Club has really pulled all the stops out this week.  The catering is of course to the usual high standard, despite having to produce many times more of it than usual.  There are helpers everywhere - greeting you as you arrive, behind the bar, in the kitchen, and of course the grounds staff preparing the lawns and hoops.  I'm not going to name names - too many, and i'd miss someone out.

SO if you're not too far away, do come and visit tomorrow [today] or Sunday [tomorrow].  The Mac won't be in this country again till 2024!"

Game 1 GB +20tp(F)

Another comment from yesterday:

"I was only informed at lunch time that my word of the day is "anagram".  So that suggests to me a competition for the best Mac related anagram and/or cryptic clue.  My brain is so addled after this typing that so far I've only come up with:

Joe's off  and  Asinine L."

Over breakfast today I came up with Duff blot error.  And of course the old favourite Beery Nark played his part at Heaton Park.

I'd have thought MacRobertson Shield might be fruitful.  Do be careful with Danny Huneycutt.

G2T1  Lines Blue to 3y SW peg.

G2T2  Fletcher Yellow 12yN of 4th corner

G2T3  Fulford Black shoots at Yellow from 3yW of 3rd corner (21y).  Misses to 6 or 7y S of Yellow

G2T4  Dumergue Red shoots at Blue from A-baulk.  Misses to 9yE of 2nd corner.

G2T5  Fulford Black hits Yellow (7y), rushing it to 4y E of 3.  Rolls Yellow to 4y SE of 2, roquets Red.  Good take-off to Blue.  He's away.

G2T5ctd  Fulford Black croquets Red to 1 after 2.  POP tactics coming up.

G2T5ctd  Fulford Black POPs Red thru 1 before 4.  Yellow is the hoop 4 pioneer, Blue is 5' W of 5.

G2T5ctd  Fulford Black declines opportunity to try to POP Yellow thru 1, looks like he'll be trying to POP red to 3.  My expert was explaining to me the other day the complex messages POPping can send out in doubles, depending on which ball you force to shoot, whether you're trying to delay the TPO or TP for X rather than Y, that sort of thing.  Me, I think it's just showing off.

Fulford's parents have just turned up.  They're looking well.

G2T5ctd  Fulford Black has POPped Red thru 2 after 1-back.

G2T5ctd  Fulford Black makes 2-back off Blue, rushes it to middle W bdry.  Croquets Blue 3y E of peg, roquets Red (by 2).  Takes off well short of Yellow at 3-back, copes. 

G2T5ctd  Fulford Black is for 4-back, Lines Blue for 1;  Fletcher Yellow for 1, Dumergue Red for 3.

Looking like an almost horizontal spread:  Red 1' E of peg, Yellow 1' in from W bdry.  Blue maybe 14y N of 4th corner, 1y rush on Black.

I've been informed that Red and Yellow are (partially?) open.

Not sure how reliable my source is on the openness.

G2T6  Fletcher lifts Yellow to just out of 3rd corner.  Misses Blue (19y) into 4th corner (or maybe just out).

G2T7 Lines (Blue) rushes Black into lawn, overhits Blue on croquet stroke so cut rush required.  He's approaching 1 from 6y SSE of hoop.  18" hoop, 15 degrees.  Makes it, but no rush on Red.  Good croquet stroke and he has 3-ball break.

There is some confusion as to the significance of the numbers on the Aussies' hats.  Some say convict number, others maintain it's their IQ.

G2T7ctd  Lines (Blue) rushes Black to 4th corner after 2, Yellow to middle of E bdry.  Red is 4y SW of 3.  Thick take-off leaves Blue shy of Red.  He's approaching 3 from 5y W.  It's 1y angled: maybe 35 degrees.  Rejection.

Remember that Fulford POPped Red to 3.

G2T8  Dumergue Red makes 3 off Blue, takes off to Yellow, runs 4 to boundary.  Roquets Black.  Has 4-ball break.

G2T8ctd  Dumergue Red is approaching 2-back (off Yellow) from 10' to side.  Copes.  Black is waiting at 3-back, Blue has been left behind 7y SW of hoop 2.

G2T8ctd  Dumergue Red is round to 4-back.  NSL coming up.

Clips: Lines Blue 3, Fulford Black 4-back;  Fletcher Yellow 1, Dumergue Red 4-back.

Yellow is 11yN of 4th corner, 1y rush on Red to Blue

If Lines hits in, he has fairly easy pick-up.

G2T9  Lines lifts Blue to end of A-baulk, shooting at Yellow (17y).  Misses to N of Yellow.

G2T10  Fletcher Yellow rushes Blue well North, thick take-off sends Blue 2y W of 6.  Red is croqueted 2y S of peg, good rush to hoop 1.  Should pick up standard TP from here.

G2T10ctd  Fletcher Yellow peels Red thru 4-back after 3

Still cloudy and breezy.

G2T10ctd  Fletcher Yellow rushes Blue off N bdry after 4.  In full control.

G2T10ctd  Fletcher Yellow jawses Red in penult after 6. 

I wonder what's for lunch today.

G2T10ctd  Fletcher Yellow rush-peels Red thru penult after 1-back.

G2T10ctd  Fletcher Yellow setting up to peel Red thru rover before 3-back.

G2T10ctd  Fletcher Yellow peels Red thru rover before 3-back.  The 4-back pioneer was overhit - it's 4y N of hoop.  Shouldn't present problem.

G2T10ctd  Fletcher Yellow has made 4-back.  Will be finishing.

I do hope they're breaking for lunch....

Game 2 AUS +15tp(F)

Match 1-1

Lunch.

Hurrah!

The players are gathering.

The main course at lunch was described as Shepherd's / Cottage Pie.  Are they the same thing?

And is it Shepherd's Pie or Shepherds' Pie?  I think the former by analogy with Ploughman's Lunch (not Ploughmen's).

G3T1  Dumergue Blue to 2nd corner (hitting corner peg on W bdry).

G3T2  Lines Yellow peg-high on E bdry

G3T3  Fletcher Black shoots at Yellow from 3rd corner.  Hits (17y).

G3T3ctd  Fletcher Black appears to be approaching hoop 1 from E bdry.  Yellow goes 3y NW peg.  Black is nowhere near being in front.  Black retires into 2nd corner, bringing ball on on N bdry. 

G3T4  Fulford Red shoots at Black from B-baulk.  Hits (13y).  Has 2nd corner cannon.

G3T4  Fulford Red plays thick wafer cannon, croqueting Black 3y E of 2nd corner.  Blue is well shy of Yellow.  Takes off, plays cut rush on Red to 4' NE of hoop.  Makes hoop 1.  Blue is 10y S of hoop 2.  Croquets Yellow toward 3, 3y short of Blue.  Rushes Blue 4y S of 2nd corner.

Takes off to Black, roquets it (no rush).  Take-off to 2 from N bdry.... 

G3T4ctd  Fulford Red plays good take-off to 2, runs hoop, roqueting Black in hoop stroke.  Lines is scurrying to the Australian gazebo, presumably to enquire who is playing which colour.  Black (Fletcher) is croqueted to 1.  Big croquet stroke from NW of 2 and Fulford is under control.

G3T4  Fulford Red POPs Black thru 1 before 5.

G3T4ctd  Fulford Red POPs Black thru 2 after 1-back.

G3T4ctd  Fulford Red makes 2-back off Yellow, rushes Yellow back North.  Setting up for a spread with Black at peg.

G3T4ctd  Fulford Red is on 4-back.  Blue (for 1) is 1y in from W bdry, Black (for 3) 3" from peg.  Yellow (for 1) is 10y N of 4th corner, with 1y rush on Red into lawn.

G3T5  Fletcher lifts Black to 3rd corner, shoots at Yellow (23y).  Hits.

G3T5  Fletcher Black croquets Yellow to 4, rushes Red to 3, makes hoop, rushes Red N of Blue.  Red is put into the lawn, Blue cut rush shy of Yellow.  Blue sent behind 4, stop-shot approach sending Y to 5.  Makes 4.

G3T5ctd  Fletcher Black has all the balls at 6.  This is now the only GB match still in play.

G3T5ctd  Fletcher Black has left Yellow 7y SW of hoop 2.  Making 2-back off partner with Red at 3-back.

G3T5ctd  Fletcher Black is round to 4-back.  NSL with Red at 4.  Blue is 14y N of 4th corner, with 1y rush of Black to Yellow.

G3T6  Fulford lifts Red (my expert approves).  Shooting at Blue from 3rd corner.   Misses into 4th corner.

G3T7  Dumergue Blue rushes Black off W bdry.  Black croqueted to 2, rush on Yellow for a 4y approch.  Overhits it.  Looks too angled - worse than 45?  Yellow is for 1 too remember.  Partner comes on.

G3T7  Dumergue Blue retires to 4y N of Black.

G3T8  Lines Yellow shooting at Black (19y).  Looks good..... misses.

G3T9  Dumergue Blue hits Yellow (4y).

G3T9ctd  Dumergue Blue rolls Yellow to 2, leaving 5' rush on Black.  Black is rushed 1y E of 1st corner.  Rolling up.  Short, 4' 15 degrees hoop.  Looks to have parked it.  Blue can do nothing next turn.

G3T10  Lines Yellow is shooting at Black (20y).  Umpire on to check on Blue.  Yellow hits Black.

G3T10ctd Lines Yellow is taking off from Black to Red.  4 or 5y short.  Roquets Red.  Big croquet stroke coming up... it's a good one.  Red is 5y SE of 2.  Yellow makes 1 off Blue.

G3T10ctd Lines Yellow makes 2 off Red with Black and Blue at 3.  Setting up for standard TP.  Longish peel attempt - 5'?  It's through!  No rush on escape ball, but Blue is 4y NW of 4, so a good roll will see him right....  it's pretty good.  Approaching 4 from 2y away.

G3T10ctd Lines Yellow underapproaches 4.  1y hoop, 10 degrees. Tonks it, runs it by 6".  Referee is called for hampered stroke.  Backswing through hoop.  Copes.  (phew!)

G3T10ctd Lines Yellow rolls Blue 3y shy of 6, Yellow level with Black, which is almost on right-hand wire on wrong side of hoop.  So no forward rush after 5...

G3T10ctd Lines Yellow taking croquet from Black near hoop 5.  Big roll, good shot.  Black 2y NE of 1-back, Yellow 5' N of Red.  Rushes it 2' NE of Blue.  He won't get penult peel after 6 now.

G3T10ctd Lines Yellow makes 6 off Blue.  Blue croqueted to 2-back: 2y NNE of hoop.  Roquets Red, takes off to Black.  Red is in front of penult... death roll coming up?

It's raining.

G3T10ctd Lines Yellow makes 1-back off Black, cuts it 5y NNE of 3.  Black is croqueted 2y NW of 3-back.  Yellow isn't ideal on Red, so sensibly declines death roll.  Taking off to Blue.

G3T10ctd Lines Yellow leaves Red due South of penult (!)  That will deny possibility of death roll to 3-back - that may be a Good Thing!  Makes 2-back off Blue, rushes Blue back, setting up for penult peel before 4-back.  Takes off from Red to Black.  Not so good - approaching 3-back from 4' to the East.

G3T10ctd Lines Yellow has 1' angled hoop - 30 degrees?  Makes it - has 2" forward rush on Black!  Black is rushed 6y E of penult.  Good croquet stroke, can now attempt penult peel before 4-back.

G3T10ctd Lines Yellow peels Red thru penult before 4-back.  Excellent rush to 4-back.  Favourite to finish now...

Apparently Andrew has lost his connection.

Linesy has a 2yd peg out to complete the tp for the match...

...which hits. GB now 10-5 up, and it's all set up to put us through the mill looking for a singles clincher tomorrow

Fulford & Lines beat Fletcher & Dumergue +20tp(F) -20tp(F) +17tp(L)

Aargh how frustrating!  To be fair that's the first time my dongle has let me down once connected.

To finish the detail of the turn:

G3T10ctd Lines Yellow makes 4-back off Blue.  Black is 2y SW of penult, Red 3y S of penult.  Rushes Blue 3y ESE of Red.  Takes off to S of Red.  Doesn't rush Red far enough North.  Also it's directly between Black and penult.  Croquets Red 2y N of rover.  Cuts Black 4' NW of hoop.  Good approach.  er...  finishes well.

Excellent turn under pressure from the reserve!

It's stopped raining.  Never more than drizzle really.