Auckland Claim 2017 Masters Teams Event

After 3 days of individuals and 2 days of teams event the Auckland Masters Team have claimed the 2017 New Zealand Masters Inter-District Teams event beating out Canterbury 6-5.

Auckland had come through their pool play relatively unscathed taking their win over Southland 8-3 and their win over the Bay of Plenty 7-4 to make their way into the final and with the aim to defend their title they won in 2016. Canterbury Came in with 1 more win up their sleeve having beaten Central 9-2 and Waikato 7-4. Canterbury were looking to reclaim the title they had last won in 2015.

The final was set to be a tight affair with both teams having secret weapons throughout their age groups.

In the 35+ age group Auckland’s Paul Tuffin came in fresh having not played the individual event and took advantage of his fresh legs to claim the win over Simon Slade 3-1. Sue Kim played down in the 35+ age group for the women and took a strong win over Shaylee Pringle from Canterbury in 3.

The 40+ age group saw Auckland’s Craig Stratford take on Canterbury’s Jason Oxenham and it was Stratford that was able to clinch the win in 5 after being down 2-1. Lisa Ashton playing in the 40+ age group was too strong for Canterbury’s Erin Ellery also taking her win in 3.

In the 45+ age group Grant Craig was able to take a convincing win off Auckland’s Julian Conder winning in 3. Juli Voykovic proved to be too strong for Sue Wasley from Canterbury in the Women’s 45+ winning in 3.

In the 50+ age group Gary Duberly continued his form from the individuals taking a win from Canterbury’s Nigel Lloyd in 4. Karen Walton and Linda Ditchburn battled it out in the Women’s 50+ age group but it was Canterbury’s Walton who prevailed with a win in 5.

The 55+ age group saw Wayne Seebeck also continue his form from the teams event with a win in 3 over Auckland’s Colin Kitchen even playing down 2 age groups! Freda Walker also played down an age group to take her win from Auckland’s Chris Ewart in 4.

The 60+ age group saw Mark Waldin pushed by Canterbury’s Barrie Matthews in a repeat of their 60+ final but today it was Matthews who prevailed claiming the win in 5.

Auckland prevailed however with a 6-5 win over Canterbury.

Congratulations to all of the teams and Kawaroa Park for a great event. Full results can be found here https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1530813820310734.1073741908.162641943794602&type=1&l=653a9359b5