Kiwis Take Titles in Australia

New Zealands own Ruby Turnbull and Natalie Sayes have taken out the Under 15 and Under 11 Girls titles in Australia.

Natalie Sayes finished on top in the girls’ U11, beating Australia’s Ashlyn Barclay in the final while New Zealand’s Ruby Turnbull, finished on top of a high-class U15 girls’ field which also included Annelise Faint who took home 4th place. The girls competed hard all weekend and did well to edge out their opponents.

There was also a number of other New Zealanders who got honourable mentions from the Australians. 

Long-time rivals Lakeesha Rarere and Abbie Palmer faced off in the girls’ U19 final, and for the second time in succession it was Rarere that came out on top of the New Zealander.  Rarere said “I used to play her as a junior all the time, and she used to always beat me 3-love,” "This is only the second time I’ve beaten her. And next week we’re both in the New Zealand Open, so we might end up playing each other again." Palmer came into the final after a tough five-game match against Australia’s Victoria Leow, while Rarere also had to work hard against New Zealand’s Kaitlyn Watts who placed an admirable 4th for the young player.

Perth’s William Curtis didn’t know what to expect in his final against New Zealand’s Rafa Yam in the boys U17 saying “I’d never seen him play before, and I hadn’t had a chance to watch him this weekend,”. Curtis said “I knew he’d just beaten one of the top Malaysians, so I knew he could play.” While Curtis was feeling sore, Yam came into the final off the back of a tough 5-game semi. In the end it was the Australian who rebounded best, winning 11-8, 11-8, 11-8. In the Under 17's Corbin Faint placed 5th and Ben Remihana placed 18th.

Other Kiwis present at the tournament were Elijah Thomas and Kobe Fleming in the Under 13 Boys. Elijah played strong games all weekend but unfortunately went down to Ethan Eyles in the final to come home with 2nd place. Ethan had also managed to take out Kobe the previous day but Kobe bounced back and took out Remi Young of Australia and claim 3rd place. 

In the Under 19 Boys Luke Jones managed to get a 4th place after some tougher than expected Australian competition. Jayden Millard and Cameron Foster also flew the New Zealand flag in the Under 19's and claimed 15th and 19th position respectively. 

The Under 13 girls saw Alani Dalrymple-Mortleman take home 7th place and in the Under 17 girls Lauren Crowhurst took home 7th place.

This was great work by the kiwi players and we know there will be more to come in the following weeks with the New Zealand Junior Open and Oceania Junior Champs due to get under way with a Trans Tasman Test Series thrown in for good measure.

Full results of all players can be found here.