PARKVILLE, MO -- Missouri's Steve Jackson and Matt Smith took care of business on the first night of the 2017 States Shield Kansas vs Missouri test held at Kactus Creek Croquet Club in Parkville, Missouri. They started with a relatively comfortable 7-4 win in the opening doubles match against Dylan Goodwin and Justin Marciniak.

Jackson and Goodwin then squared off in the first of two singles games. In the oppressive Kansas City evening heat, Jackson got out to a 3-1 lead after Goodwin took hoop one as the first player in. Goodwin later equalized at 4-4 and a giant battle took place at hoop nine. Clearing improved in the latter part of the game, but hoop scoring declined with Goodwin in particular missing several manageable hoop shots. After nearly two hours, Jackson claimed a 7-6 win.

Smith and Marciniak started second, but finished first as Smith took a 7-2 victory in a game where Marciniak struggled to get key clears.

Action resumes today with Missouri leading 3-0 and needing just three more victories to clinch the test and advance to the final on August 19.