The Openshaw Shield, Launceston, Tasmania. 14th-23rd, February 2024.
The 4th Openshaw Shield GC Team’s event was held in Tasmania, Australia.
The Opening ceremony was conducted by the local mayor of Launceston at the Council Chambers. Unfortunately due to flight delays 2 of the NZ team, the Captain Felix Webby and Edmund Fordyce were unable to attend.
The team’s manager Nelson Morrow had to fill in for the NZ Captain , introduce the team and as title holders, handover The Openshaw Shield to the Australian Croquet Association President, Jim Nicholls.
A prearranged match was organised for the Saturday against Spain in Latrobe. Unfortunately, Edmund was still having problems with flight delays, so Nelson had to fill in again on the lawns. NZ managed a 4-3 win against Spain.
Sunday was a practice day and a welcome BBQ to meet all the volunteers and officials.
The first 3 days were block play, the NZ team (Edmund Fordyce, Felix Webby, Logan McCorkindale and Levi Franks.) were drawn against Australia, England and Ireland.
Day One was a tough draw with the initial match against Australia. It was a closely fought match, with many of the games going to 7-6, but in the end NZ lost the test 2-4.
Day Two was a vital match against England. NZ came out with all guns firing and won 5-1.
A win against Ireland on day three would guarantee NZ progress to the semifinals. Australia had a convincing win over England, not dropping a game and NZ did the same against Ireland, winning 6-0, and not losing a game.
In the other block the USA and Egypt had beaten the other teams in their block, South Africa and Spain. The match between the USA and Egypt started well for the Egyptians, winning both the doubles, but the USA team came out strong in the singles, winning all 4 matches.
This meant the winner of block A, USA would play the runners-up of Block B, NZ, in one of the semi finals.
The New Zealanders knew this would be a tough match as the American team had been playing very well, with some amazing long hoop shots.
The semis were a best of 13, 2 day match. NZ finished day one 5-2 down, with Logan and Edmund both losing their matches 6-7 6-7. NZ then had the uphill battle of winning all their matches on day two to secure a place in the final. Sadly the Americans were too strong for them, but Levi pulled off a great win against former World Champion Ben Rothman, to have NZ finish with a 4-9 loss.
In the other block Egypt played their best match to beat Australia 7-3.
NZ now had the chance of coming home with a bronze medal against Australia. Edmund played brilliantly against world number 1, Robert Fletcher to win 7-4, 7-4 and Levi posted Greg Fletcher’s first singles loss, winning 7-6 in the third, but unfortunately this was not enough to stop NZ losing 4-5.
Everyone was hoping for a closely fought final but sadly it was a one sided affair with the USA winning 7-0. Both sides decided not to play the remaining 6 matches.
All attention now turned to the unfolding drama between Ireland and Spain to decide who would be relegated to the second division.
It all came down to the singles match between Robert O’Donoghue and Begoña Elzaburu. It was a see-sawing match, with both players looking like they could win, but in the end it was Begoña at hoop 13, who secured Spain’s place in the top division. It was sad to see Ireland relegated as they were a very popular team!
The presentation dinner was held at a local golf club and David Openshaw presented the trophy to the USA team and also thanked the manager Peter Freer and all the wonderful volunteers for all their hard work.
It was a great event, enjoyed by everyone and NZ will be looking to take back the trophy in 4 years’ time.
