Golf: Otago golfers net whitewash wins

Hosts Otago took a significant step towards their first Honda Cup women's golf interprovincial title with two whitewash wins on the second day of the tournament at the St Clair course in Dunedin yesterday.

Despite battling cold northerlies in the morning and rain in the afternoon, Otago swept aside Northland and Canterbury without a blemish to join defending champions Auckland and Waikato-King Country as the unbeaten teams in section one.

North Harbour, after a strong performance against Manawatu-Wanganui, lead section two.

However, it was the hosts who were most impressive, with two 5-0 victories. Only one match went to the 18th, Selina Moon overcoming Northland's Margaret Aston.

New Zealand amateur champion Wendy Hawkes had 4 and 2 wins over Samantha Dangen and Becky Walsh to remain unbeaten.

Harbour dispatched previously unbeaten Manawatu-Wanganui in a tight battle 3 1/2 to 1 1/2, with New Zealand representatives Claire Dury (Manawatu-Wanganui) and Anita Boon (North Harbour) halving their match.

Taranaki came through another torrid encounter with a 3-2 victory over a talented Tasman lineup. No 2 Debbie McCallum handed Tasman's Leanne Cooper her first loss, on the 18th. Tasman's wins were 3 and 2 efforts to international Debbie Smith and Janeen Drummond at the top and bottom of the order.

Waikato-King Country were always in control against Northland, with Jan Storey and 17-year-old Shannon Pawhau remaining unbeaten at the top and bottom of their order.

Auckland remained in the title hunt with a 3-2 win over Canterbury in the morning and an improved 4-1 effort over Southland in the afternoon. Today's key matches in section one pit Waikato-King Country against Otago in the morning and Auckland in the afternoon.

- NZPA