Hawke’s Bay took the honours 7-3 against a PBEC team who included several “adopted” Coasties — Nathaniel Cassidy (a member at Matamata), Zane Rangihika (Kawerau and Waikohu) and Kurtis Cortesi (Matamata).
Cassidy produced the comeback of the day. Three-down after six holes against Steffan Hepburn, Cassidy birdied the next three holes to square the match, then had two more birdies and an eagle on the back nine to win 2 and 1.
William Brown, at the top of the order, continued his strong form with a 4 and 3 defeat of Russell Mitchell.
Hukanui Brown, at No.4, squared his match, while there were several close losses for the rest of the PBEC side.
No.3 Peter Kerekere lost 2 and 1 to Te Cohney Whitehouse, No.8 Cortesi went down on the last to Killian Heather, and No.10 Jace Brown, in his first representative fixture, lost 2 and 1 to Cosmo Graham.
No.5 Andrew Higham lost 5 and 4 to Thomas Alderson, and No.9 Simon Jeune lost 4 and 3 to Matt Edmondson.
Team manager Eddie Brown Jnr said that the wins from William Brown and Cassidy were the highlights and that most of the team played well.
The PBEC team for the national interprovincial has almost picked itself.
Reedy, a regular Freyberg masters team member, who has never played at the national interprovincial, William Brown, Kerekere and Higham are likely to fill four of the spots for the five-man team (plus one reserve, if it is felt one is needed).
The other slot is up for grabs, although players like Cassidy have performed successfully for PBEC at past national interprovincials.
The upcoming Poverty Bay Open is the chance for these and other players to stake a claim.
