Trans Tasman 2016
Queensland bowlers Lynsey Clarke, Brett Wilkie, Mark Casey and Nathan Rice pursue Trans Tasman glory. Australia goes into final day of Trans Tasman in pole position.
Australia have taken control of the trans-Tasman test series, holding a 3-1 lead with just today remaining in Christchurch.
The scores were locked 1-1 heading into day two of the three-day series but the visitors took command courtesy of Test wins to both their men’s and women’s combinations.
Australia’s men went into today looking dominant, with a 5-1 win yesterday to follow a 4-2 triumph on the opening day.
Skipped by Mark Casey, the four won both their matches against the Paul Girdler-skipped Kiwi combination.
They snuck home 14-12 in the morning session before romping away 30-7 late in their second match.
New Zealand prevented a men’s whitewash only when Shannon McIlroy won a return singles clash 21-11 over Aron Sherriff.
The Kiwi women won the first Test on a count-back and made a strong start to the second with opening fours and singles wins.
However, Australia were unbeaten from there, to win 4-2.
A key result for the visitors was Karen Murphy bouncing back to win her second singles match against Commonwealth Games champion Jo Edwards 21-20 in a thriller.
As a result of yesterday’s clinical display, the picture for Australia going into the final day was as follows:
• Women’s Development won 2nd test and therefore hold an unassailable 2-0 lead.
• Men’s Development won 2nd test and therefore hold an unassailable 2-0 lead.
• Men’s Open won 2nd test and therefore hold unassailable 2-0 lead.
• Women’s Open won 2nd Test therefore stand at 1-1 going into last test.
Talking into account the 2-0 lead by both development teams, they in turn have secured their Development’s overall trophy with a day to spare.
The Open’s overall trophy looks destined to head Australia’s way unless they lose every game today (Thurs March 3), or thereabouts.
(Follow the competition at Bowls New Zealand and Bowls Australia websites. Pic and story content from BA.)
