2011 USCA Nine-Wicket Nationals-Day Two Report

DAY TWO PHOTO GALLERY

The rain hit Nine-Wicket Nationals on Saturday, but play continued on with both championship and first flight doubles action. First flight wrapped up their segment with Greg Adams and Troy White taking first place in the round-robin format. Ron and Debbie Millican took second place in the flight.

This morning is playoff and championship action, but there is steady rain falling, likely making for miserable condition's at the courts in Shawnee, Kansas. Championship singles semi-finals were scheduled to start at 8:00 a.m. with Matt Smith set to face Billy Bob Breeden and Matt Baird slated to take on reigning champ George Cochran.

Four teams of eight advanced to the knockout in championship doubles on day two. The semi-finals were played mid-afternoon and Billy Bob Breeden and Matt Griffith knocked off Matt Smith and Nick Zink 31-23 to advance to today's final against Matt Baird and Jeff Caldwell. Baird and Caldwell advanced by defeating Bill Martin and John Warlick 29-26.

The first flight singles playoff is also scheduled for the morning with Greg Adams taking on Jason Cole and Barry Dupuy facing off against Ron Millican.

2010 USCA Nine-Wicket Nationals (Final Day)

George Cochran on his way to another singles titleFINAL DAY PHOTOS

SHAWNEE, KANSAS -- George Cochran picked up his second national title in nine-wicket singles Sunday afternoon with a 28-18 (unofficial) win over Bill Martin. It was Cochran's second nine-wicket national championship title as he also won in 2008.

Cochran actually had an early mishap when his black ball was un-intentionally placed deep in the jaws of wicket one. Martin was unable to get both yellow and black into the game and was unable to take the early advantage.

Cochran got the early break and ran out to the 11-point wicket. He followed a little later with his partner ball and had control of the game as Martin had trouble generating offense. Cochran did get hung up with both balls for the 14-point wicket and that allowed Martin to generate a late run with red, but he was not able to establish a three-ball break coming out of the turn.

In other action Sunday, Matt Smith and Nick Zink claimed their second straight doubles national championship with a win over Matt Baird and Jeff Caldwell.

FINAL STANDINGS

Championship Singles
1    George Cochran       
2    Bill Martin          
3    Billy Bob Breeden    
3    Nick Zink            
5    Matt Baird           
5    Jeff Caldwell        
5    Matt Smith           
5    John Warlick         
9    Greg Clouse
9    Eric Sawyer          
10    Don Brooks           
10    Pat Garner           
10    Don Oakley           
10    Dylan Goodwin        
14    Matt Griffith        
14    Jason Cole           
    
Championship Doubles
1    Matt Smith/Nick Zink
2    Matt Baird/Jeff Caldwell
3    George Cochran/Don Oakley
3    Matt Griffith/Billy Bob Breeden
5    Bill Martin/John Warlick
5    Don Brooks/Johnny Nichols
    
First Flight Doubles
1    Greg Adams/Troy White
2    Don Millican/Deborah Millican
3    Eric Sawyer/Caren Sawyer
3    Jodi Adams/Debbie Breeden
5    Pat Garner/Jason Cole

USCA Nine-Wicket Croquet Nationals Final Day Report

Nick Zink (left) and Matt Smith (right) received doubles champion trophies.
Tournament director Matt Griffith (center) presented.

Six partner teams battled it out starting at 8:00 a.m. on the final day of the USCA Nine-Wicket Nationals, but in the end Matt Smith and Nick Zink of Warrensburg, Missouri made a comeback win to take the doubles title over Matt Griffith and Billy Bob Breeden in a 27-23 thriller (more details to come on this match later).

In the first round, John Warlick and Paula Mol were able to advance with a win over George Cochran and Howard Menzel. In the other match, defending doubles champs Matt Baird and Art Parsells defeated Don Brooks and John Nichols.

In the semi-finals, Warlick and Mol battled Smith and Zink, but lost a close one 23-20. On the other field, Griffith and Breeden survived against Baird and Parsells 30-29. It featured an interesting final turn with Parsells needing to score 14-point wicket and 15PW for the tie. Hitting the stake would have secured a win. After splitting his partner yellow ball and clearing 14PW, Baird and Parsells discussed and opted for a takeoff to 15PW. Unfortunately the takeoff was a little long and created a short angle shot that Parsells attempted but missed. That secured the one-point victory for Griffith and Breeden.

In the third place game Baird and Parsells defeated Warlick and Mol.