Golf: Waikato thrill with spectacular finish

Rotorua's Penny Newbrook. Picture / The Daily Post

Waikato staged a spectacular recovery over the closing holes to squeeze out Canterbury in a dramatic finish to their fourth-round clash at the national women's inter-provincial tournament yesterday.

Supporters were kept on tenterhooks at the Ngaruawahia Golf Club as all five matches went to the 18th green, but the contest turned Waikato's way when three of their players won the hole and another halved it to maintain a 1-up victory.

Canterbury, ahead most of the way and 3-2 in front with five to play, finally lost 3 1/2 to 1 1/2. Their semifinal hopes nose-dived as Waikato and North Harbour have won three from three in section two and Northland also remain unbeaten, although they drew with Manawatu-Wanganui.

In section one, the two teams hotly favoured to make Saturday's semifinals - titleholders Bay of Plenty-Thames Valley and last year's fourth-placed Auckland - continued winning.

South Canterbury tested the champions at the top, where No 1 Janelle Amalfitano held experienced New Zealand representative Penny Newbrook to a half, and young No 2 Olivia Crispin, four up at the turn, withstood Susan Lines' late rally.

Taranaki, fifth last year, also posted three straight wins and have kept in contention for the semifinals, but they face a tough day today against Auckland in the morning and Bay of Plenty in the afternoon.

Waikato's hero was undoubtedly No 2 Sarah Bradley, the North Island under-19 champion from the Cambridge club. She was five down early and four behind at the turn against the experienced Naomi Wallace, but took holes 11, 13, 15, 16 and 17 to win 1-up.

Her team's stunning fightback had been started by No 5 Debbie Wells, who won the last hole to escape with a half against Rachel Thow.

Robyn Pellow also won the last hole to beat Canterbury newcomer Dana Kim, but Canterbury had one success at the last, Monica Tulisi, who was one down to Stephanie Slavich, hitting a fine approach to the green and not having to putt to win.

After Bradley's miraculous comeback, Waikato No 1 Sarah McDonald, who had been behind most of the way against unbeaten 14-year-old Eunice Jin, slotted a long putt on the difficult green to finish with a half.

Although the favoured teams have won through, they have not always had it all their own way. Tasman took two games off North Harbour in the fourth round, with Jaimee-Lee Moses upsetting international Sharon Ahn in the top singles and No 3 Robin White downing Catherine Mitchell at the 17th.

Hawkes Bay No 1 Linda Akers scored a decisive win over Auckland No 1 Da Som Lee.

- NZPA