Scores Levelled in Masters Trans-Tasman

Today saw the scores reversed and the Australians managing to level the score in the second round of the Masters Trans-Tasman Test Series.

First on court was Scott Gardiner and Nadine Cull. Both players had secured a win the previous day against Jeff Bond and Sue Davis, however they couldn't repeat this on the second day. Gardiner had a tough 5 setter the first day and went down in 4 today. Cull had what seemed to be a convincing win in 3 on the first day but today she went down in 4 and Australia went up 2-0. 

Next on were Lisa Cowlard and Willie Bicknell looking to level the score. Cowlard had lost to Sarah Nelson in 4 on the first day, today she pushed her Australian compatriot to 5 but was not able to seal the deal after being 2-1 up. Bicknell had beaten his Australian counterpart Tony Whackett in 4 on day 1, he decided to make day 2 a bit more interesting winning in 5 with some long games thrown in for good measure. Bicknell scratching up New Zealand's first win and taking the score to 3-1 to Australia. 

Gary Duberly and Kathryn McKay took the court next. Duberly was feeling good after a 3-0 win against Warren Miller on day 1, however it seemed Duberly wasn't able to pull out his infamous shots to win the match this time round going down in another tough 4 which could have gone either players way. McKay had another battle against Sue Hilier but wasn't able to convert on day 2. Australia was now up 5-1 and the kiwis were looking for some magic to keep them in it.

Karen Walton and Lawrence Skurr took to the court. Walton had a strong win in 3 on the first day against Tracey Partridge, however today Partridge pushed Walton to an exciting 5 setter but Walton didn't crumble under the pressure and took another win for New Zealand. Skurr seemed to have the tougher battle having gone down 3-0 to Michael Brown the previous day he came out firing and managed to make some magic and a win for New Zealand bringing a win back within reach. The score was now 5-3 to Australia. 

Mark Waldin and Mickayla Kerr were next on court. Kerr had a tougher battle against Janelle Scobie today but she managed to sneak in a win in what can only be described as a thrilling 5 setter. Waldin had lost 3-0 the previous day to Kelvin Smith and he was looking to turn the tides, however this wasn't to be seen today with another tough 3-0 loss. The score was 6-4 to Australia, New Zealand needed both matches in the last round to level the score.

Both ends of the spectrum stepped on to court last with the youngest male Kashif Shuja and the most experienced female Freda Walker. Shuja showed why he is still one of New Zealand's best players against Craig Brann taking his second win in 2 days 3-0. Tensions were high for both Walker and Gaye Mitchell, Mitchell needed the win to secure the win for Australia whilst Walker needed it to level the score for New Zealand. These two played another tough match and with some long hard fought rallies Mitchell snuck over the line for the second day in a row and took the win for Australia 7-5.

Wednesday sees a rest day for the teams with some sight seeing and lunch at Mission Estate Winery

Games and results from the Masters action can be found on the Squash Eastern website here

Good luck to the kiwis on the final day!

Men’s

35+        Kashif Shuja (NZ) bt Craig Brann (Aust) 15/8, 15/10, 15/9

40+        Jeff Brown (Aust) bt Scott Gardiner (NZ) 15/9, 12/15, 15/7, 15/9

45+        Willie Bicknell (NZ) bt Tony Whackett (Aust) 15/12, 11/15, 9/15, 16/14, 18/16

50+        Warren Miller (Aust) bt Gary Duberly (NZ) 15/10, 17/19, 18/16, 15/13

55+        Kelvin Smith (Aust) bt Mark Waldin (NZ) 15/11, 15/8, 15/5

60+        Lawrence Skurr (NZ) bt Michael Brown (Aust) 15/11, 15/8, 13/15, 15/11

Women’s

35+        Mickayla Kerr (NZ) bt Janelle Scobie (Aust) 15/9, 17/15, 5/15, 15/6, 15/15

40+        Sue Davis (Aust) bt Nadine Cull (NZ) 16/14, 12/15, 15/10, 15/9

45+        Sarah Nelson (Aust) bt Lisa Cowlard (NZ) 15/12, 13/15, 12/15, 15/9, 15/11

50+        Sue Hillier (Aust) bt Kathryn Mackay (NZ) 15/4, 15/5, 15/11

55+        Karen Walton (NZ) bt Tracey Partridge (Aust) 13/15, 13/15, 15?6, 15/10, 15/13

60+        Gaye Mitchell (Aust) bt Freda Walker (NZ) 15/10, 11/15, 15/8, 16/14