Monday, Nov. 28th, 2011 NZ Wrap-up

Hello,

The last few days have been a whirlwind and I haven't been connected to the internet because of traveling and they don't have free wireless here (which I take for granted in the US).  So now it is time to do some updating.

Sat. 11/26 - I had a little bit of time before the women's final and since I had packed my tennis racquet too, I went over to the tennis club and played in a round robin.  It was really fun and I got to play on the astrocourts which play like clay but have great footing and the ball stays a bit lower.  Had a great time.

The women's croquet final lasted 6 hours with the 22 year old Brit, Rachel Rowe outlasting Jenny Clarke of NZ in 5 games.  Rachel had such terrific placement on her shots, that Jenny had to keep trying to knock her out of position from incredible distances.  The concentration and mental endurance was remarkable, not to mention that it continued to be incredibly windy as it had been the entire tournament.

The Egyptian Team watching the finals.

Right after the final, everyone rushed back to get changed for the Closing Ceremony and Awards Banquet.  We each received a medal for competing and a gift of a beautiful paperweight with a New Zealand symbol inside of it.  I had an early flight to Auckland to catch in the morning, so I had to say my goodbyes and go back to pack.  After spending more than a week together, our entire group from the referees, to the volunteers, to the players had formed a really neat bond.

The Aussie team heading into the Awards Banquet

Amir Ramsis, the WCF President announced that the next Women's Worlds will be held in Cairo, Egypt (I believe it will be in 2013).

Sunday, 11/27/11 - Instead of taking the bus back to Auckland which would have been a 3 1/2 hour trip, I took a flight from Tauranga to Auckland (just 35 minutes) and it was very scenic.

Auckland is an awesome city!  It is modern and clean and the harbor is just beautiful.  After finding a place to stow my things, I roamed around the city for hours.  It was an absolutely beautiful day and they were also having their Christmas parade down Queen's Street, the main street in the city.  Interestingly, throughout the country I didn't see a lot of Christmas decorations like I would in the US.  The parade was really the only thing that made me realize we are in the holiday season.

Downtown Auckland

These girls were so cute hanging out down at the port.

That evening, I took a ferry across the harbor to Devonport, which is a very cute little town.  I met up with Emily and Paul (friends of friends of mine from Vermont) who are now permanent residents in NZ.  

The next day Emily took me on a tour and a little hike to see the sights.

Paul and Emily

Beautiful beach in Devonport.

Monday, Nov. 28th - Flew from Auckland to Los Angeles and have a red-eye tonight to Fort Lauderdale.  Because of crossing the international date line, I get to live Monday twice (just like the movie Groundhog's day).

It has been an amazing trip!

Friday, Nov. 25th Semi-final day

Hello,

It was an exciting day of semi-final action.  Rachel Rowe (age 22) of England defeated Rosie Graham of Australia 3 games to 0.  Then Jenny Clarke (age 40) of New Zealand defeated Marwa Moustafa Youssef of Egypt 3 games to 1.

Tomorrow is the last day of the tournament with the Plate and Consolation Finals, 3rd and 4th place playoff, and the Final.  Then everything will come to a close at the Croquet Dinner Banquet.

In between matches, one of the members of the club struck up a conversation with me and my new friend, Jola from Scotland.  Turns out, he is a terrific lawn bowler so he gave us a lesson in "bowls."  I always love to learn a new sport!

Me with coach, Norm.

Sunday morning I head back up to Auckland and Monday night fly back to the US.  I've opted to take a short 35 minute flight from Tauranga to Auckland rather than a 3 1/2 hour bus ride.  The views should be nice too.

Bye for now.

Happy Thanksgiving! 11/24/11

Hello,

It was another great day of croquet but started out cold, rainy and windy.  Even so, we all had to play in the rain.  It has been incredibly windy almost every single day, such that your mallet sways as you are trying to set up for your shot.  This morning was probably the toughest conditions of the entire tournament.  Thankfully, the sun came out this afternoon.

I played at Tauranga for the first time which was just about 10 minutes from Mt. Maunganui.  I have to say that at every location I've played at, the volunteers and officials are absolutely wonderful.  They make homemade food for the players, always have tea and coffee ready along with cookies and fruit.  It was especially nice to arrive this morning and have a nice cup of tea before hitting the croquet lawn.

Also, the spirit of cooperativeness among everyone involved in hosting the tournament has been unbelievable.  It's a finely tuned machine and in that it is the first time they've hosted a tournament of this calibre, I am so impressed.  They are absolutely, amazing and wonderful people and put in long, long days.

(Unfortunately, my card reader for my camera is not working, so I have no photos to post today).

Each of us played 5 matches today in the Plate and I was fortunate to win 2 of those 7-6.  In fact, in my last match of the tournament, my opponent and I were tied 6-6 and I was lined up perfectly for a jump shot.  The thought that came to my mind was, "Go Big or Go Home!  It's your last shot in New Zealand," so I went for it and made the jump shot and won the match!  What an exciting moment - and it was captured on video by one of the officials who said it will be posted on the tournament website.

Needless to say, I came back to the headquarters at Mt. Maunganui and had a beer to celebrate.  In total, I've played 17 matches, won 4, and played some of the best croquet I've ever played.

Tomorrow is going to be an exciting day of semi-finals.  The first match is Rosie Graham (Australia) vs. Rachel Rowe (England) and Marwa Moustafa (Egypt) vs. Jenny Clarke (New Zealand).  Everyone is buzzing because only one Egyptian got through to the semis.  (Of note, I played Rosie in the Block play at the start of the tournament and lost to her 7-6, 7-6).  Needless to say, she has picked up her game tremendously to reach the semis.  She's a terrific gal too.  I hope she does well.  Also, the semis will be the best of 5 games which, if the games are close, a match could last 5-6 hours.

Tonight I've been invited by the Aussies for dinner - should be a lot of fun!

I am so thankful and grateful to be here!  Thank you to everyone who made it possible.

Cheryl

I won 2 matches today!!

Hello,

It was an early start to the day as half of us in the block play travelled to KatiKati to play.

My first match was against Ros Johnstone of Australia who had been my practice partner on the very first day.  I lost to her 7-4 and thought that I was completely eliminated from the "Plate" and was so bummed out, but then was told that I would play 5 more matches today.  Yahoo!

I ended up winning 2 of the next 5 matches and lost a close one 7-6 to the 17 year old player from NZ, Jasmine Rule.  She's got a great future ahead.  

Tomorrow, I will head to Tauranga to play again.

Interestingly, today we had to double up on a lawn which is known as "double banking."  Another test of concentration.  Also, for the first time, instead of using the blue/red/black/yellow balls, I had to play with the secondary colors of green, pink, brown, and white.  I had never done that before and was frantically trying to memorize the order of play.  A couple of the ladies gave me some tips to remember them - "Good (green) People (pink) Bring (brown) Wine (white) and also, green/brown (boys' colors and pink/white (girls' colors).  Believe it or not, that was one of the matches I won!

Tonight I've been invited for "Tea" which is also considered dinner in NZ at the tournament director's house.

In the Knock Out which is the main draw, two of the Egyptian players lost today and there are still matches going on now.  It's getting really exciting.

Stay tuned...

Tuesday 11-22-11 Part II

Hello,

Forgot to enclose one photo from this morning from the top of the Mount.

This afternoon they held the draw for the main event known as the "Knock Out."  The top 32 players will play 2 out of 3 games and whoever loses is knocked out round by round until they reach the finals on Saturday.

Tomorrow I will be heading back to Katikati for the "Plate" play which will consist of 1-game elimination matches.

Bye for now.

Tuesday, Nov. 22nd Part I

Hello,

It felt good to have the morning off so that I could do a little exploring.  I hopped the bus into town - it's a nice quick ride.  Walked along the beach and then hiked to the top of the Mount or "Mauao" as it is traditionally named.

It's a neat little town at the base of the Mount with a port on one side, the bay/ocean on the other side, a long stretch of beach, and a hillside filled with grazing sheep.  The hike took about 40 minutes to the top, it was steep and along the way there were 460 steps.  There were a few people who were running up and down it.  Crazy - it made me realize I'm not 20 anymore.

Monday, 11/21/11 Wrap Up

Hello,

It was another fun day on the croquet lawns.  I played my final two matches of block play (round robin).

My first match was against a Kiwi, Noeline Posselt.  She was very steady and took a nice lead in the first game while I struggled to find my form.  She took the first game 7-3.  The second game went a little better for me and I developed a 5-4 lead.  We went the distance and at 6-6 and I had a ball in perfect scoring position but unfortunately I missed a 6-7 ft. roquet which would have cleared her ball and left me to score for the game.  I ended up losing that game and the match at 7-6.  I would have loved to have played a third game against her.

My afternoon match was against Helena Fensome of Finland.  She was a terrific shotmaker and made some spectacular hoops.  She won the match 7-3, 7-4 but we really had a nice time playing against each other.

Helena Fensome of Finland.  

As you can tell we are bundled up as it has been very breezy and cool the past few days.

I have a bye tomorrow which will give me the opportunity to go into town and explore.  Then it's on to "Plate" play on Wed. and Thur.  which is a consolation tourney for the 24 players who did not qualify for the top 32 Knockout.

Basic Stats to Date

• Total Matches Played in Block Play: 6    Wins - 0
• Total Games Played: 14    Games won: 2.  Additionally, 3 games went to 6-6.
• Total Number of Hoops won in 6 matches:  62!!  An average of 10 per match.  Now that's something to celebrate.

Baskets of Kiwifruit are on each of the tables in the croquet center.

Just cut off the top and scoop out the insides like ice cream.  Very refreshing after a long match.

Above, Hemmat Moustafa of Egypt gives Erica Stephens of NZ a lesson on how to wrap a head scarf.

Until tomorrow...over and out.