Historic pennants win to Mahia

Eighteen years in the making: Mahia won the Poverty Bay women’s interclub pennants title for the first time since entering the series in 2000. The Mahia team who played in the fourth and final round are (from left) Renee Hiko, Mattie Fergus, Maraea Wesche and Trena Smith. Colleen Wesche and Lee Steel also wore the Mahia colours over the four-round series. Picture supplied

GOLF

MAHIA will be engraved on the winners’ trophy for the first time in the 51-year history of the Poverty Bay women’s golf pennants.

The Mahitians were runners-up in the fourth and final round on the Poverty Bay Golf Club’s course on Wednesday, and it was a good enough placing to secure them the 2018 title.

They finished on 30 points, three ahead of Waikohu — whose men won the Poverty Bay-East Coast Endeavour men’s pennants on Sunday — with Wairoa third on 26.

While the pennants have been running for over 50 years, Mahia only came into the competition in 2000.

Over the 2018 series, Mahia, who were runners-up last year, had two wins, Wednesday’s second placing and a fourth.

A common denominator was Mattie Fergus, who played in all four rounds. Colleen Wesche, Trena Smith and Maraea Wesche appeared in three, Renee Hiko two and Lee Steel one.

Round 4 was a net competition and was played in conjunction with the Pharmacy 53/Beaufoy women’s open tournament.

Wairoa’s Kodee Green posted the best net (72) of the pennants players, while Gisborne Park’s Wiki Morrissey had 73 and Hiko 74.

Jo Tietjen, a member of Poverty Bay, filled in for Tolaga Bay and returned 76.

Others to top their club’s efforts were import player MJ Bloem (Waikohu, 79), Helen Humble (Patutahi, 79), Jan Utting (Poverty Bay, 80) and Robyn Ngatai (Te Puia Hot Springs, 81).

Overall points: Mahia 30, Waikohu 27, Wairoa 26, Poverty Bay 20, Gisborne Park 18.5, Te Puia Springs 11.5, Patutahi 10, Tolaga Bay 10, Tahunga 9.