Hogan wins British croquet

Press, 28 July 1986, Page 6

Hogan wins British croquet

NZPA staff correspondent London New Zealand's dominance of international croquet was underlined yesterday when Joseph Hogan, of Gisborne, beat the Aucklander, Bob Jackson, 26-6, 26-0, to win the British Open croquet championship at the Hurlingham club in London. It was the first time since the championships started last century that a British player had failed to reach the final.

Hogan and Jackson were members of the New Zealand team which this month became the first side to beat Britain on home soil to win the Macßobertson Shield series.

“It was a fairly straightforward match,” Hogan said. “I played pretty well and made no mistakes and I hit the vital shots in each game.” Friday’s semi-finals saw the best croquet, Hogan said. The Gisborne player beat Nigel Aspinal (England), 26-24; 23-26, 26-9, in an "exceptionally good” match where both men were in top form and Jackson overcame another Englishman, Steve Mujliner, 26-10, 26-11.

“Bob Jackson played superbly in the semi-final, quietly grinding away at Mulliner and then tearing him apart But in the. final he couldn’t quite find the pace of the green,” Hogan said. Aspinal and Mulliner both reached the semi-finals by beating New Zealanders. Aspinal beat John Prince (Hastings) and Mulliner knocked out Roger Murfitt (Christchurch).

“The Important thing about the championships was that it was very much a team effort. We all encouraged and supported each other and the team spirit we had throughout our tour helped a lot,” Hogan said. “I think now that myself and Bob Jackson are the two strongest players in the world, and the other four in the team are not far behind. It is very encouraging for New Zealand croquet We hope we can keep building on it,” he said. New Zealanders also did well in the doubles contest at Hurlingham, John Prince and Paul Skinley (Wellington) and Graham Beale (Christchurch) and Roger Murfitt both reacting the semi-finals.