No team joy for PBEC on day one of Freyberg Masters

POVERTY Bay-East Coast’s search for an elusive team win has continued into day two of the Freyberg Masters interprovincial in New Plymouth today.

PBEC fell 4½-½ to Wellington and 3-2 to Northland on day one of the over-40s tournament on a supremely presented Ngamotu course yesterday.

Anaru Reedy, making his debut at the week-long matchplay tournament, collected his first individual win while Simon Jeune also had a win, and John Wyllie a half.

Reedy, playing at No.3 in the five-man team, beat Bob Shirley 1-up. The pair were all square playing the last only for Shirley to three-putt.

Jeune, at No.4, had a 3 and 1 win over Scott Wilson.

Northland, comprising all five players who won the title last year, comfortably won the other matches.

PBEC No.1 Wyllie was crushed 8 and 6 by former New Zealand representative Saali Herewini, No.2 Pete Bremner fell 7 and 6 to Peter Bone and No.5 Dougal Watts lost 4 and 3 to Iain Power.

Wyllie’s heavy defeat was a comedown after a comeback half against Wellington’s Malcolm Gullery in the morning.

The Capital side were otherwise too strong. Bremner lost 6 and 4 to John Warrington, Reedy 2 and 1 to Michael Trass, Jeune 2 and 1 to Darin Hiroki and Bruce Yates 6 and 5 to Frank Borren.

PBEC went into the tournament ranked 15th out of 15 provinces. Their main aim was a team win — their first since 2009.

They faced Bay of Plenty this morning and Aorangi in the afternoon.

Player-manager Watts said the Ngamotu course was in “mint” condition.