The MacRobertson Shield

The MacRobertson International Croquet Shield is the premier croquet team event in the world. It is currently competed for by Australia, England, New Zealand and the United States. It is known affectionately as the MacRob or just the Mac.

The series is now played in rotation between the competing countries every three or four years.

The most recent series was held in 2022 in Australia; it was won by England.

History

The competition is named after Australian confectionery maker and philanthropist, Sir Macpherson Robertson.[1] In the early 1920s, Robertson played croquet as his pastime. He enlisted returned World War I veterans to take up concessions for his products and encouraged them to try croquet also, believing it to be a teaching aid for developing skills in self-discipline and risk management. Eventually, a pool of players were participating in regular tournaments. In 1925, with a growing interest in the sport, he established the MacRobertson Shield, an international tournament of croquet "Tests" between Australia and England. The Victorian Croquet Association sent a team of four players to England to contest the inaugural tournament. England won easily and Robertson presented the Shield personally.[2]

In 1927-8 an England team played in Australia and was narrowly defeated. In 1930, New Zealand was invited to participate in a series between themselves and Australia, with Australia winning comfortably; the first triangular series was then held in 1935 in Melbourne as part of the Melbourne centenary celebrations. In 1993, a United States team was admitted into the tournament.

Between 1974 and 2010 the team representing the Croquet Association was named "Great Britain" and in two series "Great Britain and Ireland", because the teams included players from Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Following the introduction of the World Croquet Federation World Association Croquet Team Championship in 2010, the team was named "England" from the 2013-14 series and now only includes English qualified players.

Each team is represented by six players and since 1996 each test has been the best of 21 matches comprising 12 singles and 9 doubles.

The 2022 Series

The 2022 Series [3] was played at Cairnlea, Melbourne, Australia in November 2022 and was won by England [4] over Australia, New Zealand and the United States.

Pos Country Pld W L GF GA GD England Australia New Zealand United States
1 England England 3 3 0 40 23 +17 — 13–8 11–10 16–5
2 Australia Australia 3 2 1 33 30 +3 8–13 — 11–10 14–7
3 New Zealand New Zealand 3 1 2 29 27 +2 10–11 10–11 — 9–5
4 USA United States 3 0 3 17 39 −22 5–16 7–14 5–9 —
Source: [3]

The 2017 Series

The 2017 Series [5] was played at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California, USA and won by Australia over England, New Zealand and the United States.[6] The tournament was held over three five-day tests and 21 matches.

Pos Country Pld W L GF GA GD Australia England New Zealand United States
1 Australia Australia 3 3 0 40 23 +17 — 12–9 14–7 14–7
2 England England 3 2 1 38 23 +15 9–12 — 15–4 14–7
3 New Zealand New Zealand 3 1 2 22 39 −17 7–14 4–15 — 11–10
4 USA United States 3 0 3 24 39 −15 7–14 7–14 10–11 —
Source: [5]

The 2013-14 Series

The 2013-14 series [7] was contested in New Zealand across four different venues, and was won by New Zealand.

30 December 2013 - 3 January 2014: New Zealand v USA and England v Australia at United Croquet Club, Christchurch

  • England 16 - 5 Australia
  • New Zealand 20 - 1 USA

5 - 9 January: England v USA at Te Mata Croquet Club, Havelock North and New Zealand v Australia at Marewa Croquet Club, Napier

  • England 18 - 3 USA
  • New Zealand 15 - 4 Australia

11 - 15 January: New Zealand v England and Australia v USA at Mt Maunganui Croquet Club, Tauranga

  • New Zealand 13 - 7 England
  • Australia 17 - 4 USA
Pos Country Pld W L GF GA GD New Zealand England Australia United States
1 New Zealand New Zealand 3 3 0 48 12 +36 — 13–7 15–4 20–1
2 England England 3 2 1 41 21 +20 7–13 — 16–5 18–3
3 Australia Australia 3 1 2 26 35 −9 4–15 5–16 — 17–4
4 USA United States 3 0 3 8 55 −47 1–20 3–18 4–17 —
Source: [7]

The 2010 Series

The 2010 Shield was contested in Great Britain, across five different venues, and was won by Great Britain.[8]

6 – 10 August: Great Britain v USA at Bowdon, Greater Manchester and Australia v New Zealand at Heaton Park, Manchester

  • Great Britain 12 - 9 USA
  • Australia 8 - 13 New Zealand

12 – 16 August: Great Britain v New Zealand at Nottingham and Australia v USA at Roehampton

  • Great Britain 11 - 10 New Zealand
  • Australia 7 - 14 USA

18 – 22 August: Great Britain v Australia and New Zealand v USA both at Surbiton

  • Great Britain 14 - 7 Australia
  • USA 5 - 16 New Zealand
Pos Country Pld W L GF GA GD United Kingdom New Zealand United States Australia
1 Great BritainUnited Kingdom 3 3 0 37 26 +11 — 11–10 12–9 14–7
2 New Zealand New Zealand 3 2 1 39 24 +15 10–11 — 16–5 13–8
3 USA United States 3 1 2 28 35 −7 9–12 5–16 — 14–7
4 Australia Australia 3 0 3 22 41 −19 7–14 8–13 7–14 —
Source: [8]

The 2006 Series

The 2006 series [9] was contested at Rich River, Moama, New South Wales and Shepparton, Victoria, Australia, and was won by Great Britain.

Pos Country Pld W L GF GA GD United Kingdom Australia United States New Zealand
1 Great BritainUnited Kingdom 3 3 0 53 10 +43 — 19–2 19–2 15–6
2 Australia Australia 3 2 1 27 36 −9 2–19 — 14–7 11–10
3 USA United States 3 1 2 22 41 −19 2–19 7–14 — 13–8
4 New Zealand New Zealand 3 0 3 24 39 −15 6–15 10–11 8–13 —
Source: [9]

The 2003 Series

The 2003 series [10] was contested at The National Croquet Center, West Palm Beach, Florida, USA, and was won by Great Britain.

Pos Country Pld W L GF GA GD United Kingdom Australia United States New Zealand
1 Great BritainUnited Kingdom 3 3 0 41 22 +19 — 15–6 15–6 11–10
2 Australia Australia 3 2 1 32 31 +1 6–15 — 11–10 15–6
3 USA United States 3 1 2 28 35 −7 6–15 10–11 — 12–9
4 New Zealand New Zealand 3 0 3 25 38 −13 10–11 6–15 9–12 —
Source: [10]

The 2000 Series

The 2000 series [11] was contested at The United Croquet Club, Christchurch, New Zealand, and was won by Great Britain.

Pos Country Pld W L GF GA GD United Kingdom New Zealand United States Australia
1 Great BritainUnited Kingdom 3 3 0 50 13 +37 — 11–10 19–2 20–1
2 New Zealand New Zealand 3 2 1 37 26 +11 10–11 — 13–8 14–7
3 USA United States 3 1 2 21 42 −21 2–19 8–13 — 11–10
4 Australia Australia 3 0 3 18 45 −27 1–20 7–14 10–11 —
Source: [11]

The 1996 Series

The 1996 series [12] was contested in England across four different venues and was won by Great Britain.

Pos Country Pld W L GF GA GD United Kingdom New Zealand Australia United States
1 Great BritainUnited Kingdom 3 3 0 49 14 +35 — 14–7 15–6 20–1
2 New Zealand New Zealand 3 2 1 33 30 +3 7–14 — 14–7 12–9
3 Australia Australia 3 1 2 27 36 −9 6–15 7–14 — 14–7
4 USA United States 3 0 3 17 46 −29 1–20 9–12 7–14 —
Source: [12]

The 1993 Series

The 1993 series [13] was contested at Rich River, Moama, New South Wales, Australia and was won by Great Britain.

In the first series each country played each other country in a nine-match test match. The top two countries after the first series played a 21 match final and the bottom two played a 21 match third place play off.

Pos Country Pld W L GF GA GD United Kingdom New Zealand Australia United States
1 Great BritainUnited Kingdom 3 3 0 21 5 +16 — 6–2 6–3 9–0
2 New Zealand New Zealand 3 2 1 16 7 +9 2–6 — 6–1 8–0
3 Australia Australia 3 1 2 10 15 −5 3–6 1–6 — 6–3
4 USA United States 3 0 3 3 23 −20 0–9 0–8 3–6 —
Source: [12]

Third Place Play Off

  • Australia 12 - 6 USA

Final

  • Great Britain 17 - 3 New Zealand

The 1990 Series

The 1990 series [14] was contested in New Zealand across three different venues and was won by Great Britain.

Pos Country Pld W L GF GA GD United Kingdom New Zealand Australia
1 Great BritainUnited Kingdom 2 2 0 30 12 +18 — 12–9 18–3
2 New Zealand New Zealand 2 1 1 22 17 +5 9–12 — 13–5
3 Australia Australia 2 0 2 8 31 −23 3–18 5–13 —
Source: [14]

The 1986 Series

The 1986 series [15] was contested in England across nine different venues and was won by New Zealand.[16]

Pos Country Pld W L GF GA GD
1 New Zealand New Zealand 6 5 1 36 18 +18
2 Great BritainUnited Kingdom 6 3 3 29 25 +4
3 Australia Australia 6 1 5 16 38 −22
Source: [15]
W/L Australia United Kingdom New Zealand
Australia Australia — 4–5 1–7
— 2–7 2–7
— 5–4 1–7
Great BritainUnited Kingdom 5–4 — 4–5
7–2 — 3–6
4–5 — 6–3
New Zealand New Zealand 7–1 5–4 —
7–2 6–3 —
7–1 3–6 —
Source: [15]

The 1982 Series

The 1982 series [17] was contested in Australia across three different venues and was won by Great Britain.[16]

Pos Country Pld W L GF GA GD
1 Great BritainUnited Kingdom 6 5 1 31 23 +8
2 Australia Australia 6 4 2 28 25 +3
3 New Zealand New Zealand 6 0 6 21 32 −11
Source: [17]
W/L Australia United Kingdom New Zealand
Australia Australia — 2–7 5–4
— 5–4 6–2
— 4–5 6–3
Great BritainUnited Kingdom 7–2 — 5–4
4–5 — 5–4
5–4 — 5–4
New Zealand New Zealand 4–5 4–5 —
6–2 4–5 —
3–6 4–5 —
Source: [17]

The 1979 Series

The 1979 series [18] was contested in New Zealand across nine different venues and was won by New Zealand.[16]

Pos Country Pld W L GF GA GD
1 New Zealand New Zealand 6 6 0 45 9 +36
2 Great BritainUnited Kingdom 6 3 3 32 22 +10
3 Australia Australia 6 0 6 4 50 −46
Source: [18]
W/L Australia United Kingdom New Zealand
Australia Australia — 2–7 0–9
— 2–7 0–9
— 0–9 0–9
Great BritainUnited Kingdom 7–2 — 4–5
7–2 — 3–6
9–0 — 2–7
New Zealand New Zealand 7–1 5–4 —
9–0 6–3 —
9–0 7–2 —
Source: [18]

The 1974 Series

The 1974 series [19] was contested in England across eight different venues and was won by Great Britain.[16]

Pos Country Pld W L GF GA GD
1 Great BritainUnited Kingdom 6 6 0 39 15 +24
2 New Zealand New Zealand 6 2 4 24 30 −6
3 Australia Australia 6 1 5 18 36 −18
Source: [19]
W/L Australia United Kingdom New Zealand
Australia Australia — 2–7 5–4
— 4–5 4–5
— 1–8 2–7
Great BritainUnited Kingdom 7–2 — 7–2
5–4 — 6–3
8–1 — 6–3
New Zealand New Zealand 4–5 2–7 —
5–4 3–6 —
7–2 3–6 —
Source: [19]

The 1969 Series

The 1969 series [20] was contested in Australia across two different venues and was won by England.[16][21]

Pos Country Pld W L GF GA GD
1 EnglandEngland 6 6 0 47 7 +40
2 New Zealand New Zealand 6 3 3 27 27 0
3 Australia Australia 6 0 6 7 47 −40
Source: [20]
W/L England New Zealand Australia
EnglandEngland — 7–2 8–1
— 7–2 8–1
— 9–0 8–1
New Zealand New Zealand 2–7 — 7–2
2–7 — 8–1
0–9 — 1–8
Australia Australia 1–8 2–7 —
1–8 1–8 —
1–8 1–8 —
Source: [20]

The 1963 Series

The 1963 series [22] was contested in New Zealand across nine different venues and was won by England.[16][23]

Pos Country Pld W L GF GA GD
1 EnglandEngland 6 6 0 45 9 +36
2 Australia Australia 6 2 4 17 35 −18
3 New Zealand New Zealand 6 1 5 17 35 −18
Source: [22]
W/L England Australia New Zealand
EnglandEngland — 7–2 7–2
— 8–1 7–2
— 9–0 7–2
Australia Australia 2–7 — 6–1
1–8 — 5–4
0–9 — 3–6
New Zealand New Zealand 2–7 1–6 —
2–7 4–5 —
2–7 6–3 —
Source: [22]

The 1956 Series

The 1956 series [24] was contested between England and New Zealand in England over five test matches across five different venues and was won by England 5-0.[16]

13 - 15 June 1956: England v New Zealand at the Sussex County Croquet Club, Southwick. [25]

  • England 6 - 3 New Zealand

23 - 26 June 1956: England v New Zealand at the Nottingham Croquet Club, Nottingham. [26]

  • England 6 - 2 New Zealand

19 - 21 July 1956: England v New Zealand at the Hurlingham Club, London. [27]

  • England 9 - 0 New Zealand

20 - 22 August 1956: England v New Zealand at the Roehampton Club, London. [28]

  • England 8 - 1 New Zealand

18 - 20 September 1956: England v New Zealand at the Budleigh Salterton Croquet Club, Budleigh Salterton. [29]

  • England 7 - 2 New Zealand

The 1950-51 Series

The 1950-51 series [30] was contested between England and New Zealand in New Zealand over three test matches across three different venues and was won by New Zealand 2-1.[16]

23 - 26 November 1950: New Zealand v England at the Mount Hobson Croquet Club, Auckland

  • New Zealand 4 - 3 England

11 - 13 December 1950: New Zealand v England at the Waimarie Croquet Club, Lower Hutt, Wellington

  • New Zealand 5 - 2 England

3 - 5 January 1951: New Zealand v England at Dunedin

  • New Zealand 2 - 4 England

The 1937 Series

The 1937 series [31] was contested between England and Australia in England over five test matches across five different venues and was won by England 5-0.[16]

12 - 13 July 1937: England v Australia at the Hurlingham Club, London

  • England 6 - 0 Australia

23 - 24 July 1937: England v Australia at the Cheltenham Croquet Club

  • England 6 - 0 Australia

30 - 31 July 1937: England v Australia at Buxton, Derbyshire

  • England 5 - 1 Australia

20 - 21 August 1937: England v Australia at the Roehampton Club, London

  • England 6 - 0 Australia

4 - 6 September 1937: England v Australia at the Sussex County Croquet Club

  • England 4 - 2 Australia


The 1935 Series

The 1935 series [32] was contested in Melbourne, Australia and was won by Australia.[16]

Pos Country Pld W D L GF GA GD
1 Australia Australia 6 4 2 0 27 9 +18
2 EnglandEngland 6 3 2 1 20 16 +4
3 New Zealand New Zealand 6 0 0 6 7 29 −22
Source: [32]
W/L Australia England New Zealand
Australia Australia — 4–2 6–0
— 3–3 5–1
— 3–3 6–0
EnglandEngland 2–4 — 4–2
3–3 — 4–2
3–3 — 4–2
New Zealand New Zealand 0–6 2–4 —
1–5 2–4 —
0–6 2–4 —
Source: [32]

The 1930 Series

The 1930 series [33] was contested between Australia and New Zealand in Australia over three test matches in Melbourne and was won by Australia 3-0.[16]

12 - 15 January 1930: Australia v New Zealand at the Warleigh Club, North Brighton, Melbourne

  • Australia 8 - 1 New Zealand

17 - 20 January 1930: Australia v New Zealand at the Warleigh Club, North Brighton, Melbourne

  • Australia 8 - 1 New Zealand

23 - 25 January 1930: Australia v New Zealand at the Warleigh Club, North Brighton, Melbourne

  • Australia 6 - 3 New Zealand

The 1927-28 Series

The 1927-28 series [34] was contested between Australia and England in Australia over three test matches in Melbourne and was won by Australia on the basis of winning most game (20-19).[16]

16 - 17 December 1927: Australia v England at the Warleigh Club, North Brighton, Melbourne

  • Australia 4(9) - 2(5) England

6 - 8 January 1928: Australia v England at the Warleigh Club, North Brighton, Melbourne

  • Australia 2(4) - 4(9) England

12 - 14 January 1928: Australia v ZealEngland nd at the Warleigh Club, North Brighton, Melbourne

  • Australia 3(6) - 3(6) England

The 1925 Series

The 1925 series [35] was contested between England and Australia in England over three test matches across three different venues and was won by England 3-0.[16]

26 - 27 June 1925: England v Australia at the Roehampton Club, London

  • England 6 - 0 Australia

24 - 25 July 1925: England v Australia at the Cheltenham Croquet Club

  • England 6 - 0 Australia

4 - 5 September 1925: England v Australia at the Sussex County Croquet Club

  • England 5 - 1 Australia

Past results

YearHostCountriesWinner
1925 England England, Australia England
1927–28 AustraliaEngland, AustraliaAustralia
1930 AustraliaNew Zealand, AustraliaAustralia
1935 New ZealandEngland, Australia, New ZealandAustralia
1937 EnglandEngland, AustraliaEngland
1950–51 New ZealandEngland, New ZealandNew Zealand
1956 EnglandEngland, New ZealandEngland
1963 New ZealandEngland, Australia, New ZealandEngland
1969 AustraliaEngland, Australia, New ZealandEngland
1974 Great BritainGreat Britain, Australia, New ZealandGreat Britain
1979 New ZealandGreat Britain, Australia, New ZealandNew Zealand
1982 AustraliaGreat Britain, Australia, New ZealandGreat Britain
1986 Great BritainGreat Britain, Australia, New ZealandNew Zealand
1990 New ZealandAustralia, New Zealand, Great Britain & IrelandGreat Britain & Ireland
1993 AustraliaAustralia, New Zealand, Great Britain & Ireland, USAGreat Britain & Ireland
1996 Great BritainAustralia, New Zealand, Great Britain, USAGreat Britain
2000 New ZealandAustralia, New Zealand, Great Britain, USAGreat Britain
2003 United StatesAustralia, New Zealand, Great Britain, USAGreat Britain
2006 AustraliaAustralia, New Zealand, Great Britain, USAGreat Britain
2010 Great BritainAustralia, New Zealand, Great Britain, USAGreat Britain
2014 New ZealandAustralia, England, New Zealand, USANew Zealand
2017 United StatesAustralia, England, New Zealand, USAAustralia
2022 AustraliaAustralia, England, New Zealand, USAEngland

[36][16]

Records

  • Most series appearances: 9
    ° John Prince (NZ), 1963–2003
  • Most titles: 7
    ° Robert Fulford (GB/England), 1990–2014
  • Most test matches played: 39
    ° John Prince (NZ), 1963–2003
  • Most matches played: 114
    ° David Maugham (GB/England), 1993–2017

[36]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Brown, Simon Leo (9 September 2015). "Freddo Frog philanthropist Sir Mac Robertson celebrated in 'Nail Can to Knighthood' exhibition". ABC News (Australia). Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  2. ↑ Prichard, DMC (1981). The History Of Croquet. Cassell. ISBN 0-304-30759-9.
  3. 1 2 "MacRobertson Shield 2022". Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  4. ↑ "2022 AC World Team Championship Tier 1: Champion England". Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  5. 1 2 "MacRobertson Shield 2017". Retrieved 5 May 2017.
  6. ↑ Duncan Huntsdale and Sarah Whyte (5 May 2017). "'Olympics of croquet': Brother trio leads Australia to victory in coveted MacRobertson Shield". ABC News.
  7. 1 2 "MacRobertson Shield 2014". Retrieved 5 May 2017.
  8. 1 2 "MacRobertson Shield 2010". Retrieved 5 May 2017.
  9. 1 2 "MacRobertson Shield 2006". Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  10. 1 2 "MacRobertson Shield 2003". Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  11. 1 2 "MacRobertson Shield 2000". Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  12. 1 2 3 "MacRobertson Shield 1996". Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  13. ↑ "MacRobertson Shield 1993". Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  14. 1 2 "MacRobertson Shield 1990". Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  15. 1 2 3 "MacRobertson Shield 1986". Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Townsend's croquet almanack. Townsend Croquet Ltd. 1988. ISBN 1-871714-00-1.
  17. 1 2 3 "MacRobertson Shield 1982". Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  18. 1 2 3 "MacRobertson Shield 1979". Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  19. 1 2 3 "MacRobertson Shield 1974". Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  20. 1 2 3 "MacRobertson Shield 1969". Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  21. ↑ "Reports of Test Tour". The Croquet Gazette. No. 105. The Croquet Association. April 1969.
  22. 1 2 3 "MacRobertson Shield 1963". Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  23. ↑ "Test Tour". The Croquet Gazette. No. 65. The Croquet Association. April 1963.
  24. ↑ "MacRobertson Shield 1956". Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  25. ↑ "First Test". The Croquet Gazette. No. 19. The Croquet Association. July 1956.
  26. ↑ "Second Test". The Croquet Gazette. No. 20. The Croquet Association. August 1956.
  27. ↑ "Third Test". The Croquet Gazette. No. 21. The Croquet Association. September 1956.
  28. ↑ "Fourth Test". The Croquet Gazette. No. 22. The Croquet Association. October 1956.
  29. ↑ "Fifth Test". The Croquet Gazette. No. 23. The Croquet Association. December 1956.
  30. ↑ "MacRobertson Shield 1950". Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  31. ↑ "MacRobertson Shield 1937". Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  32. 1 2 3 "MacRobertson Shield 1935". Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  33. ↑ "MacRobertson Shield 1930". Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  34. ↑ "MacRobertson Shield 1927-28". Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  35. ↑ "MacRobertson Shield 1925". Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  36. 1 2 "MacRobertson Shield Croquet Records". Retrieved 29 September 2023.
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