Double delight for Hogan

Press, 26 July 1989, Page 60

Double delight for Hogan

PA London New Zealand’s Joseph Hogan completed a remarkable 24 hours when he yesterday added the British Croquet Championship doubles title to the world singles crown he lifted on Monday. The 30-year-old carpenter and his regular partner, Bob Jackson, both from Auckland, defeated England’s Colin Clark and Robert Fulford 26-0, 0-26, 26-0 in an enthralling five-hour match in London. Clark and Fulford, at 21 and 18 respectively, were the youngest finalists ever but Hogan and Jackson showed' that youth was no match for experience. The Kiwis, who have won the New/ Zealand title a record eight times, were always in the driving seat and had too much poise and assurance for their opponents. Hogan and Jackson managed a triple peel in the first game and just missed another in the third. It is the first time that New Zealand has won the doubles title since 1974 when the current team captain, John Prince, of Christchurch, and Gordon Rowling, of Nelson, triumphed. Prince said yesterday that the New Zealanders’ showing over the last seven days augured well for the Macßobertson tests in New Zealand in January. Prince also revealed that the New Zealand Croquet Club has applied to have the New Zealand Championships, which follow the Macßobertson tests, renamed the World Croquet Championships.