MacRobertson Shield – 1st tests

The first round of matches of Tier 1 of the AC World Team Championship, for the MacRobertson Shield, was played at Christchurch, capital of the South Island of New Zealand.  England played Australia and New Zealand the USA.  Club members James Death (England)  and Paddy Chapman (New Zealand) are playing at number two for their respective teams, so are scheduled to meet on the final day of the series.


 

Each team has six players, and a test match is the best of 21 rubbers, each consisting of a best of 3 match played under the standard (not super-advanced) laws of advanced play.  The teams can choose who partners each other in the doubles, and each pair plays the opposing ones to give 9 rubbers.  The other 12 are singles: 1v2, 2v1, 3v4, 4v3, 5v6 and 6v5, then 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, 4v4, 5v5 and 6v6.

Results and some commentary are available at http://www.croquetscores.com/2013/ac/macrobertson-shield/

Both matches are now decided: England beat Australia 16-5 and NZ beat USA 20-1.  Paddy beat the USA no 1 Ben Rothman, and James notched up his first singles win by beating Stephen Forster.