The CNZ GC Invitation Events were held over the weekend across Taranaki. The New Plymouth Croquet Club hosted the Top GC Invitation, the West End Croquet Club in New Plymouth hosted the Second GC Invitation events, while the Hawera Croquet Club welcomed the players in the Third GC Invitation event.
Top GC Invitation Event
Last year’s winner Paul Kaiser (Canterbury) and top seed Te Kiri King (South Taranaki) were both off to a strong start with four wins on day 1 and continued their unbeaten run through day 2 and a total of seven matches, before facing each other in the first match on the final day. Kaiser took the first game 7:6 with King responding in game 2 with a 7:4 win. In the third and deciding game Kaiser stayed composed and won 7:4 and the match.
King had to rely on Kaiser losing his last match against John Christie (Thames Valley), while beating Andre Murray (Manawatu-Wanganui) to have a chance of winning the tournament. Kaiser however kept his composure and beat Christie in two games to defend his title.
Second GC Invitation Event
The Second GC Invitation was dominated by Ricardo Pintor (South Taranaki) who dropped only three games winning all seven matches before the final round was played. This was sufficient to win the tournament before the final round was played.
Second Place was a close race with both Ricky Clement (South Taranaki) and John Watson (Manawatu-Wanganui) finishing on six wins but Ricky Clement claiming second spot on net games.
Third GC Invitation Event
While the Top and Second GC Invitation had a clear winner, the Third GC Invitation was a close result with two players going neck to neck throughout the event. Melba Scott (Auckland) and Geoff Price (Canterbury) both only dropped two matches finishing on seven wins each. Geoff Price however had a better net games result beating Melba 9 to 8, and therefore winning the Third GC Invitation and defending the title he won last year.
Top seed Gillian Bird (South Taranaki) was close behind on six wins.
Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to the two associations, the three clubs and all the volunteers for running these events on behalf of Croquet New Zealand!
