Day 6 of the Irish Open witnessed matches of considerable quality. On lawn 1, Scotland's Sandy Greig sought to demolish the Championship aspirations of former winner Danny Johnston. In a compelling 3 game series, Johnston won out. Meanwhile, the doyen of tournament managers , Nathaniel Healy, faced fellow Newcastle man Andrew Johnston, the latter winning via two triple peels. In the early games on lawn 2, the cultured play of Patsy Fitzgerald was pitted against the cerebral croquet of David Maugham, with Fitzgerald capturing the first game +17 tp. Double banking confusion begat a Fitzgerald brain fart in the second game, with Patsy playing the wrong ball. A tight second game ensued with Patsy ultimately triumphing 2-0 over the former world number 1.
Randy Cardo raced to a win in the opener versus Alison Maugham. The latter responded in kind to take the match to a decider wherein Cardo held his nerve to snatch victory.
Green Cup action on lawn 3 saw Dawn Jupin face Gerard Osborne Burke with Jupin taking the spoils 13-7. A Jodie Rogart Myles McWeeney clash saw Rogart triumph by 26 hoops to 6.
On lawn 4, some USCA Silver Salver match ups saw Jeanne Branthover face Sylvia Briggs, and a Robert Miller victory versus John McAuley by 26 hoops to 6.
On lawn 3, an Anne Marie McGowan Geraldine O'Rourke match produced much by way of quality croquet with Geraldine clinching the win by 13 hoops to 8.
Also in the Salver, Toni Kemp enjoyed a narrow victory over Padraig Thornton.
Meanwhile, in the Newell Candlestick on lawn 5, Richard Whelan bested Michael O'Mahony and Paul Cotter saw off the challenge of Mary Dobbyn.
In the Alternate Shot doubles, a strategic masterclass from Richard Whelan allied to some uncharacteristic errors from opponents Myles McWeeney and Alan Looney facilitated a Whelan McGrath progression to the next round where they will face the undoubted pedigree of Richard and Diana Stephens.
All to play for as we look ahead to a busy schedule of games on Friday and Saturday.
Dave McGrath
Full results at Croquet Scores.