Golf: Four teams remain unbeaten

Auckland, Canterbury, North Harbour and Taranaki are unbeaten after the second day of the national women's interprovincial championships in Invercargill yesterday.

It took a mammoth putt from New Zealand representative Stacey Tate to lead the way for North Harbour as the defending champions chalked up wins over Otago and Northland.

Tate sank a nine-metre putt from the fringe of the 18th green to edge out fellow Commonwealth tournament representative Jenny Park 1 up, with both players even par at the finish.

Auckland, who had the afternoon bye, enjoyed a 5-0 win over Tasman in the morning to continue their strong performance, with New Zealand representative Enu Chung again in red figures.

Canterbury were impressive, their only blemish being one halved match in the morning win over neighbours South Canterbury before they beat Hawkes Bay-Poverty Bay 4-1 after lunch.

Taranaki, semifinalists last year, fought their way to a 4-1 win over Southland in the morning when four of the matches were decided on the final two greens.

They later endured a 2 1/2-2 1/2 dogfight with Otago.

North Harbour are clear at the top on six points in section one, with Taranaki on five, while Otago, Southland and Bay of Plenty-Thames Valley are not yet out of the running.

Auckland and Canterbury have six points in section two, with Waikato-King Country and Wellington best placed to challenge for a semifinal spot should either of the leaders fall from grace.

Southland bounced back from their morning loss to Taranaki to end Bay of Plenty-Thames Valley's unbeaten run 4-1 in the afternoon.

They were in control throughout to keep them in with a chance of the semifinals.

No one impressed more than Lisa Henderson, who managed to hold off a stern challenge from Jackie Shin, 15, on the final green to retain her unbeaten record.

- NZPA