Trans-Tasman Test Series Tied After Day 1

The first day of the Trans-Tasman Junior Test Series has seen New Zealand and Australia claim the same number of matches after some high intensity battles.

First on the court was the Under 13 boys and girls. Joe Smythe and Ruby Saies both took to the plate first. After Smythe's big win the day before claiming the Oceania Junior Championship title he unfortunately couldn't do two days in a row going down in 3 to Gregory Chan who he had to beat to claim the title. Ruby Saies had a tough battle against Jemma Besant going down in 4. 

Next up was Leo Fatialofa and Ariata Kutia. Both players were out to level the score for New Zealand and they came out firing. Fatialofa claimed his win in 3 over Oscar Curtis whilst Kutia took her win in 4 from Jayna Gill with some tough games in between. The overall match scores were levelled again at 2-2. 

Kobe Fleming and Winona-Jo Joyce were next to take to the court and were both looking to extend New Zealand's lead. Fleming having competed in the Trans-tasman team in 2014 was well versed in what was expected and came out to win his game in 3. Joyce found it tough going against her Australian counterpart with some great displays on court she couldn't clinch the win going down in 3 keeping the scores level at 3-3. 

Next up was Annaleise Faint and Glenn Templeton. Templeton kept everyone on their toes with 2 of his games going long but there was nothing to worry about with him taking the win in 3. Faint managed to claim her first game but some tough battles in the following games fell the way of Mackenzie Sleep and she went down in 4. The match scores staying level at 4-4.

It was another Faint's turn to step on court with Corbin Faint and Zoe Dykzeul the next on court. With an hour long marathon Faint battled to the end with Nicholas Calvert to go down in 5 20-18 in the fifth. Dykzeul stepped on court to make light work of her opponent and to keep the scores level for New Zealand at 5-5.

Matthew Lucente came on after Corbin and followed in a similar trend having a massive five setter which again fell the way of Australia. Nadia Hubbard looked calm and collected in her game taking her win in 4 and keeping everyone on the sidelines nervous for the results with match scores tied 6-6.

Anna Hughes and Sam Sayes were next up on the court. Hughes went down in her first game but came out firing after this claiming the win in 4 and an 11-0 win in the fourth game. Sayes couldn't find his rhythm against the Australian and went down in 3. Match scores staying tied 7-7.

Kaitlyn Watts and Finn Trimble were keen to get New Zealand ahead and both managed to deliver with Watts taking her game in 3 and Trimble his in 4. New Zealand had secured the lead for the first time in the match 9-7 to New Zealand. 

Rafa Yam and Alex Revington both stepped on court and threw everything into their matches however they couldn't manage to get across the line both going down in 3 and 4 respectively leaving the match scores tied at 9-9. New Zealand had managed to edge the win in a games countback 33-30. 

Day 2 will see the team play their opposite partner. Good luck to the Kiwis!