Murrell reigns at nationals

Croquet

Carrington Bowling and Croquet Club members Harry Murrell and Carissa Price took the limelight in two Taranaki tournaments, with Murrell finishing with a national title.

Murrell competed in the open grade at the South Taranaki Croquet Association's 85th annual tourney at Hawera. He lost just one game to finish runner-up. Price won all her games in the nine-plus grade to win that title.

Following those successes, Murrell and Price returned to Taranaki to contest the New Zealand scratch to minus three bisques and the New Zealand four bisques and over championships at New Plymouth Croquet Club.

Murrell played in the scratch to minus three event and going into the final day's play he and three other competitors shared the lead with one loss apiece. Murrell's final match against Richard Williamson was the clincher and his 15-12 win meant the Carrington player secured the national title for 2013, and with it the Challenge Trophy.

Price contested the four bisques and over event and having only moved to a nine handicap, she was up against it. However, despite only winning one game she pushed several of her more experienced rivals close through her attacking approach.