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

2010 USCA Nine-Wicket Nationals (Day Two)

Greg Adams during the championship gameDAY TWO PHOTOS

SHAWNEE, KANSAS -- Greg Adams and Troy White took the USCA Nine-Wicket First Flight Doubles Championship last night with a win over Debbie and Ron Millican. Adams and White advanced through the semi-finals by knocking off Jodi Adams and Debbie Breeden. The Millicans had advanced to the championship game by defeating Eric and Caryn Sawyer in the semi-finals.

Today, features the championship doubles elimination bracket and the singles championship game between George Cochran and Bill Martin.

2010 USCA Nine-Wicket Nationals (Day One)

Nick Zink heads through the turn

DAY ONE PHOTOS

SHAWNEE, KANSAS -- The first day of action saw 16 players battle it out in open singles play. The singles final will happen late afternoon today (4:00 or 5:00 p.m.) and will be George Cochran against the winner between Bill Martin and Billy Bob Breeden. Cochran has now made the finals three straight years and won in 2008. The playoffs matchups:

QUARTERFINALS
Bill Martin over Jeff Caldwell
Nick Zink over Matt Smith
Billy Bob Breeden over John Warlick
George Cochran over Matt Baird

SEMI-FINALS
George Cochran over Nick Zink
Billy Bob Breeden vs Bill Martin (late game)

Morning Coffee: 9W Coverage, Western Regionals Revisited, Lawn Bowling and More

Turn into Croquet Network Friday through Sunday and I should have daily coverage of the USCA Nine-Wicket National Championship which will again be held here in Kansas City (Shawnee, KS). Friday kicks off with open singles play and Saturday has two flights of doubles play. If the format follows last years, the singles championship game will happen at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. Doubles playoffs are Sunday morning and generally conclude by 1:00 p.m.

Tega Cay Club Opens New Court -- The Lake Wylie Pilot reports that the South Carolina based Tega Cay Club (106 members) opened a new court this past weekend. TCCC founder and president Tom Anderson:

“From our humble beginnings on a soccer field over a year ago to this day today, we’ve proven that a group of like-minded, motivated individuals can come together and get a dream accomplished.”

USCA Mid-Atlantic / Northeast Regional Results -- Chris Patmore took the championship flight and Chris Glowacki won first flight. Full results here.

Lawn Bowling vs Croquet -- Bob Alman has an in-depth article on the opportunities and pitfalls regarding court sharing between croquet and lawn bowling clubs as the lead story on Croquet World Online.

Genie Hendry sent me a collection from the USCA Western Regionals -- You will find a few rare photos of me playing in first flight. Captions will all be updated soon.

MacRob Photos -- Adrian Wadley (croquetonfilm.com) posted this large collection of excellent MacRob photos a while back.

BBC Sport posted a short piece on Tony Le Moignan winning the Australian Open. If the BBC actually would give the sport serious coverage, that would be quite a boost. Sort of makes sense, considering Great Britain's continuing dominance of the sport.