Tight Finish in Trans Tasman Series

It couldn't have been a much tighter affair in the final day of the Masters Trans-Tasman Test Series with the matches level at 6 a piece it went to a games countback and Australia edged the win 24 to 21.

With everyone having had Wednesday off to recover first up for the final test was Kashif Shuja and Kathryn McKay. Shuja continued his winning streak against Craig Brann taking another win in 3. McKay was looking for her first win against Sue Hillier however this didn't come through today and her tough battle saw the scores levelled 1-1. 

Second up was Lisa Cowlard and Scott Gardiner. Cowlard was also looking for her first win of the test series against Sarah Nelson however Nelson wanted to add to Australia's tally and she beat Cowlard in 3. Gardiner had already had 2 very hard games against his Australian counter-part Jeff Bond and today was no exception. With their first game going 20-18 it looked like it would go either players way, but eventually Gardiner pulled through and the scores remained level 2-2. 

Next up was Lawrence Skurr and Nadine Cull. Skurr having managed a win against Michael Brown on day 2 was looking to repeat his brilliance however today was not meant to be another repeat with him going down in 4. Cull having lost on day 2 wanted to show what she was made of and she came out firing against Sue Davis and eventually took the win and the scores remained level 3-3 for each country. 

Freda Walker and Mark Waldin were next on court for New Zealand. Both players having had good matches against their Australian counterparts Gaye Mitchell and Kelvin Smith but not managing to sneak a win yet were hoping today would be the day. However it was not meant to be with both of them going down in 3. Australia now had a lead 5-3 and they were looking to close the series out.

Gary Duberly and Mickayla Kerr were ready to get New Zealand back in the running. Kerr having not lost to Janelle Scobie carried her winning streak on and secured a win in 4. Duberly having lost on day 2 of the test series was not willing to let this happen again and he battled his way through to a win and a levelling score for New Zealand 5-5.

It all came down to Karen Walton and Willie Bicknell for New Zealand. Both players needed to win to ensure the victory for New Zealand. With both players having not lost in the previous 2 days they were sure to be confident. Willie Bicknell however wasn't going to make his game against Tony Whackett easy with both players going game for game Bicknell dug deep and secured the win for New Zealand. Walton winning her first 2 games could have been seen as a sure fire thing however Tracey Partirdge dug deep and some long rallies saw her manage to edge the game back and eventually take the match.

With excitement going around the room the games were counted and with 24 games to 21 games Australia had come out victorious and take the Vic Belsham trophy home to Australia.

Well done to our players and they all move into the individuals event starting today.

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

Won by Australia 6 matches all 24 games to 21 games on countback

Australia win the series

Men’s

35+ Kashif Shuja (NZ) bt Craig Brann (Aust) 15/6, 15/6, 15/10

40+ Scott Gardiner (NZ) bt Jeff Bond (Aust) 20/18, 11/15, 15/13, 9/15, 15/11

45+ Willie Bicknell (NZ) bt Tony Whackett (Aust) 13/15, 15/10, 15/13, 5/15, 15/9

50+ Gary Duberly (NZ) bt Warren Miller (Aust) 15/12, 5/15, 15/8, 15/11

55+ Kelvin Smith (Aust) bt Mark Waldin (NZ) 15/8, 15/11, 15/10

60+ Michael Brown (Aust) bt Lawrence Skurr (NZ) 15/17, 15/8, 15/9, 15/6

Women’s

35+ Mickayla Kerr (NZ) bt Janelle Scobie (Aust) 14/16, 15/7, 15/12, 15/11

40+ Nadine Cull (NZ) bt Sue Davis (Aust) 15/8, 15/3, 15/5

45+ Sarah Nelson (Aust) bt Lisa Cowlard (NZ) 15/6, 15/2, 15/12

50+ Sue Hillier (Aust) bt Kathryn Mackay (NZ) 15/7, 15/11, 15/1

55+ Tracey Partridge (Aust) bt Karen Walton (NZ) 10/15, 12/15, 15/11, 15/11, 15/12

60+ Gaye Mitchell (Aust) bt Freda Walker (NZ) 15/12, 15/12, 15/12