Kiwis Claim Trans-Tasman Title

Our Junior Trans-Tasman Test Series team have claimed victory over the Australians in

 Invercargill last night. Needing only 5 to win the series New Zealand came out all guns blazing. 

Australia had a big challenge ahead of them in the second day of the Trans-Tasman test series having only received 4 points on day 1 they would need another 15 points to be able to clinch the win. The kiwis on the other hand had a much easier task ahead of them only needing 5 points to claim victory, however they weren't going to let the Australians get away too easily. 

Our players started off strong with good wins from our younger players. Australia thought they might have a chance to get back in when a hard fought battle between Ruby Saies and Laura Maloney went in Australias favour, however the kiwis stepped up and managed to claim victory early on in the evening relieving the pressure for those players to come. The other players didn't relax after securing the wins wanting to show how tough the kiwis would be to beat. Australia snuck wins in at different points throughout the night with an epic battle between Quinn Udy and Will Curtis going in Australias favour. The Under 19 Boys also saw some great strength from Sam Ejtemai and Solayman Nowrozi who were able to outclass Champan Kutia and Luke Jones respectively. Australias final win came from Lakeesha Rarere against Abbie Palmer. Palmer will be seeking revenge this coming weekend at the Oceania Junior Championships having lost 3 times in the last 3 meetings with Rarere.

The other games of the night came from the Under 15 girls where Anika Jackson left everything on court to ensure that Grace Pattison wouldn't take another point for Australia. With a game of epic proportions in the third going Pattisons way it could have all been over but Jackson stepped on court and showed she wanted this win. The Under 19 girls also had it's moments of excitement, Anna Hughes showed that being two down wouldn't stop her from getting the win. Anna fought back hard and tough to make sure she cemented the strength of the New Zealand team.

The team will now all compete in the Oceania Junior Championships this weekend and they are sure to show their strength and hope to bring home some more titles. Well done team and we wish you luck this weekend.

Full results from day 1 can be found here