Second croquet victory for N.Z.

Press, 18 June 1986, Page 68

Second croquet victory for N.Z.

NZPA staff correspondent London The New Zealand croquet team moved a step nearer to regaining the Macßobertson Shield when it beat Great Britain at Cheltenham, Gloucester yesterday. The New Zealanders won, 5-4, to make it two out of two after beating Australia in the competition’s opening test. It was the first time in the history of the Macßobertson Shield that Britain had lost on home soil. Bob Jackson (Auckland) put New Zealand ahead when he defeated Nigel Aspinell in straight games. Aspinell had trouble running hoops and Jackson always looked the more steady player. A British 20-year-old, Mark Avery, scored his first test singles victory when he edged out a determined Roger Murfitt,

of Christchurch, in straight games. The match of the day was the clash between Paul Skinley (Wellington) and William Prichard. Skinley, playing immaculate croquet, easily won the first game and looked like taking the second with a triple peel when an unkind roll at the penultimate hoop halted his progress. Prichard fought back with great nerve and made a break. Skinley hit a fine shot and looked set to finish but Prichard again hit in and with brilliant play went right around, pegged out Skinley’s forward ball and for several turns left Sknnley nothing to shoot at. Then came the shot of the match when Skinley hit the fraction of a ball he could just see past a hoop some 18m away to clinch the test.