Golf: Bay's form points to repeat victory

By BOB PEARCE

Bay of Plenty have a T-shirt celebrating their victory in last year's interprovincial tournament - and their form so far at Coringa suggests they may have to change only the date after the final tomorrow.

They completed a comprehensive 4-1 victory over the previously unbeaten Auckland team in the only round yesterday and, with four wins out of four, they should qualify for tomorrow morning's semifinals even before the tough clash with Waikato this afternoon.

Waikato continued their unbeaten run with a 3 -1 victory over Hawkes Bay, but they did halve a match with Auckland earlier in the tournament.

Otago lost their unbeaten record when they were walloped 4 - by Manawatu-Wanganui, who are semifinal contenders along with Canterbury and Wellington.

Bay of Plenty were in command from the start of their clash with Auckland on a perfect Canterbury day. Jason McIntosh was three under the card when he beat Ross Valentine 4 and 3 for his fourth win.

George Kinghorn raced away to be five up on Travis O'Connell before the young Aucklander cut the margin to 3 and 1 at the finish.

Jae An, who has a perfect record, was always ahead of Kevin Chun in the battle of the Korean No 2s, and at the top of the order, Auckland's Logan Holzer three-putted the last to lose to Mark Smith one down.

The one bright moment for the northerners was Richard Hislop's 3 and 2 victory over Terry Hong. The former Wellington player has won all his games and was four under the card yesterday.

Waikato's team margin over Hawkes Bay was decisive, but the individual scores were close, with a halved game and four 2 and 1 scores.

Mathew Holten lost to Doug Holloway and the half went to No 1 Brad Shilton against his fellow New Zealand representative, Richard Squire.

Shilton is one of three unbeaten players in the Waikato line-up, with two wins and two halves. Mark Purser has had four wins and James Gill three wins and a half.

The young and inexperienced North Harbour team recorded their first success, 4-1 over Southland, with Jonathan Wright the only loser. No 3 Ben Jujnovich remains unbeaten with three wins and a half.

Northland were well beaten by Canterbury. Their only positive note was Dale Clarke's half with Matthew Peter.

Auckland will be playing for pride today with matches against Tasman and Taranaki, both of which they should win.

North Harbour play Canterbury and Otago.