CROQUET NEWS:  Skinley Shows Some Form at Croquet Champs

17 January 2008
Wanganui Croquet Club, Wanganui, New Zealand
by Richard Crowley in Wanganui Chronicle, Wanganui, New Zealand
photo by photographer

Wellington's Paul Skinley practising on the Wanganui Croquet Club's greens.

Wellington croquet player Paul Skinley received the perfect confidence boost yesterday, beating the world No. 2 Robert Fulford 26-0 in singles qualifying at the New Zealand Croquet Championships in Wanganui.

Skinley, the New Zealand No 4, downed Wellington team-mate Graeme Roberts in the morning, and then the five-times world champion Fulford, to qualify for the last 16 in the singles.

Skinley, who has won the New Zealand title three times — the last time in 1985 — said beating Fulford was pretty satisfying.

"He's No. 2 in the world and he's pretty hot," Skinley said.

"I kept it together and I just didn't make an error." Skinley had beaten Fulford before, but the Englishman had beaten him "many more times".

The last 16 in the singles play a sudden death, best-of-three knockout round today to advance to the next stage, and Skinley said the win over Fulford had given him plenty of confidence.

"I'm quite pleased with the way I'm going at the moment but I've got to go up another level today for sure, and no matter what happens, it's just a big buildup toward the world champs, that's how I'm treating the whole thing."

"But I'm okay with where I'm at and I'd like to think I can do it [win the singles]."

Despite the loss, Fulford also qualified for the final 16.