Croquet: Rival puts champion through hoops

Defending champion John Prince (Canterbury) is out of the New Zealand open croquet singles after losing 2-0 to arch rival Bob Jackson (Auckland) in the quarter-finals in Christchurch yesterday.

The pair, both minus-four handicappers, have won 21 singles titles between them and have had numerous battles since the 1970s.

Jackson, seeking a 14th singles crown at Hagley Park, sidelined Prince 26-24, 26-13. He will play the winner of Greg Bryant (Wellington) and Brett Rogers (Australia) in the semifinals.

England's David Goacher is through to the last four after a 26-1, 26-5 romp over Australian Alan Sands.

Goacher now comes up against the winner of the Brian Wislang (Nelson) and Simon Hockey (Australia) clash.

Jackson is through to the final of the doubles with fellow Aucklander Jerry Guest.

Australia's bid to win the open doubles title for a first time disappeared when Jackson and Guest eliminated Sands and partner Helen Thurston 26-14 in the semifinals.

The Aucklanders will meet Graeme Beale (Canterbury) and David Wickham (Wairarapa) in the final.

- NZPA