New Zealand fell just one rubber short of a huge upset over title favourites Great Britain today after a stirring comeback in the MacRoberton Shield croquet world teams tournament in England.
Up 10-5 overnight, the hosts and defending champions needed to grab just one of the six singles on the final day to clinch the five-day test in Nottingham.
But wins by New Zealand skipper Aaron Westerby, team No 1 Paddy Chapman, veteran Paul Skinley and shield debutant Michael Wright closed the gap to 10-9, making for a nailbiting finish.
World No 4 Chapman, 22, who has been the pick of New Zealanders at the tournament, produced a particularly impressive 2-1 victory over five-time world champion Robert Fulford, not conceding point after dropping the first game.
Great Britain finally closed out the test 11-10 when Scotsman Keith Aiton beat Jenny Clarke, before Greg Bryant made it 5-1 to New Zealand on the day.
The shield competition involves the top four nations in the world, with the final round of tests starting in London this week.
New Zealand will face the United States in a contest likely to determine second place, while unbeaten Great Britain face winless Australia.
Results today after the final day of the second round of croquet tests in the MacRobertson Shield world teams tournament in England:-
Great Britain 11 New Zealand 10, United States 14 Australia 7.
Standings (with one round to go): Great Britain 2 wins, New Zealand 1, United States 1, Australia 0.
Great Britain v New Zealand scores in Nottingham (NZ names first)
Doubles: Paul Skinley (Wellington)/Michael Wright (Wanganui) lost to Robert Fulford/Ian Lines 14-26 26-12tp 26-2tp, Greg Bryant (Nelson)/Jenny Clarke (Canterbury) lost to Stephen Mulliner/Keith Aiton 21-26tp 26-13tpo 26-16tpo, Paddy Chapman (Canterbury)/Aaron Westerby (Waikato-King Country) bt David Maugham/Rutger Beijderwellen 26-0tp 26-0tp, Bryant/Clarke lost to Fulford/Lines 0-26tp 0-26tp, Chapman/Westerby bt Mulliner/Aiton 9-26tp 26-0tp 26-0tp, Skinley/Wright lost to Maugham/Beijderwellen 9-26 26-0tp 26-3, Chapman/Westerby lost to Fulford/Lines 21-26tp 26-8 26-0tp, Skinley/Wright lost to Mulliner/Aiton 26-0tp 26-15tpo, Bryant/Clarke bt Maugham/Beijderwellen 26-19tpo 12-26otp 26-9tp.
Singles: Westerby lost to Fulford 11-26 26-0tp 26-9sxp, Chapman bt Maugham 26-4tp 26-0tp, Skinley lost to Beijderwellen 26-11tp 26-9tp, Bryant lost to Mulliner 26-0tp 26-8, Wright bt Aiton 26-0 26-12tp, Clarke lost to Lines 26-10 26-11, Westerby bt Maugham 26-12 26-0tp, Chapman bt Fulford 12-26tpo 26-0tp 26-0tp, Skinley bt Mulliner 26-0tp 26-19tp, Wright bt Lines 7-26 26-0tp 26-11, Clarke lost to Aiton 26-11tp 26-13 Bryant bt Beijderwellen 26-21tp 26-8tp.
