MCA's Matt Smith Takes National Title

PHOTO GALLERY

SHAWNEE, KS -- The final day of playoff action at the Nine Wicket Nationals in Kansas City saw steady rain, but the players battled through. In championship singles, Matt Smith knocked of Billy Bob Breeden to make the final, while Matt Baird took out George Cochran to advance.

In the final match, Baird got the first break but stuffed number five. That let Smith set up his break which he ran all the way out to the penultimate wicket. He then turned it over to his partner and finished with a double peel to claim the 2011 singles national championship.

In doubles championship play, Matt Baird and Jeff Caldwell battled Billy Bob Breeden and Matt Griffith in the final. Baird and Caldwell took a tight match 32-25 to claim the doubles title.

In the first flight singles playoff, #4 seed Jason Cole knocked off #1 Greg Adams in the semifinals. In the other semi-final, #2 Barry Dupuy beat #4 Ron Millican to advance. Cole won the final over Dupuy to claim the first flight national championship.

Video report will be available later today.

2011 USCA Nine-Wicket Nationals Preview

Midwest Regional Croquet Championship

The Midwest Regional Croquet Championships starts this week in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Matt Smith, Matt Griffith, Billy Bob Breeden & Dylan Goodwin from Kactus Creek Croquet Club all will be attending this year tournament.

More to come ...

Update on Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 10:08PM by MCA Website Admin

Congratulations to Matt Smith on winning the Midwest Regional Croquet Championship Tournament. Matt has been playing in the Championship division for about 9 years. This was Matt first regional win but I'm sure it won't be his last.

Spring fling in Arkadelphia, AR

ARKADELPHIA, AR -- Results of the nine-wicket croquet tournament in Arkadelphia hosted by the Royal Knights Croquet Club of Arkadelphia, Arkansas are now in:

Championship: George Cochran 1st, Matt Griffith 2nd, Joe Franz and Matt Baird 3rd, Billy Bob Breeden, Jeff Caldwell, Pat Garner, Stu Brodsky 4th, Bob Bozeman and Glen Taylor 5th.

First flight: Rob Franks 1st, Ralph Bozeman 2nd, Lee Reed 3rd, Barry Dupuy 4th, Carl Jarret, Debbie Breeden, Scott Kennedy, Ron Millican 4th, Debbie Millican 5th.

They had a great tournament with the players from Arkansas, Missouri, Louisiana, Oklahoma. The Royal Knights would like thank every one for making this a successful and fun tournament.

George Cochran only had one loss to Billy Bob Breeden and Matt Griffith only lost the one game to Cochran.

New President for the MCA

INDEPENDENCE, MO -- At the February 26 MCA annual meeting, Matt Smith from Warrensburg took over the reigns as the new president of the Missouri Croquet Association. Greg Adams from Parkville previously served for two years as president.

In other news from the meeting, Ron Millican expressed concerns about growth for the MCA. It was noted that the new college club at Central Missouri that Smith was spearheading was showing early signs of success. Matt Griffith indicated that he had two new players at Kactus Creek through an intro to croquet class at the club. Dylan Goodwin is trying to establish a nine-wicket club in the Johnson County (KS) area of Kansas City.

Griffith also indicated that first flight would add singles play for the USCA Nine-Wicket Nationals Tournament in September, which is another step toward reaching out to developing players in the area.

The MCA also considered the purchase of a second clock at the Kactus Creek Croquet Club, but no decision was made.

Grand Prix Standings for Local Players of the USCA

Rank    Name                     Hcap   Singles    Doubles    Total

733      Debbie Breeden      13        4              2              6

620      Jodi Adams              12       20             2            22

545      Deborah Millican      16       24             16          40

464      Ron Millican               9        44             39          83

302      Greg Adams              7       150          150          300

301     Donald Brooks           5        275           25          300

247     Dylan Goodwin          7         422           38          460

125     Billy Bob Breeden    3.5        966          448         1414

81       Matthew Griffith        2          952         1624        2576

29       Matthew B. Smith   0.5        4452         1904        6356

Tulsa Fall Classic

TULSA, OK -- Matt Smith Wins Tulsa Classic 15 - 9 over Matt Baird in Championship division. Matt Griffith also place 3rd in championship division. In the First Flight division Don Brooks took 2nd in singles & in Second Flight singles Jodi Adams took 2nd & Deborah Millican took 3rd place. In Championship Doubles action Matt Smith & Art Parsells took 2nd & Billy Bob Breeden & Matt Griffith took 3rd. In First Flight Doubles Greg Adams & Wendell Thompson took 2nd place. All in all Missouri players played very well.