Tairāwhiti fall to neighbours at Freyberg Masters

Tony Akroyd saved Tairāwhiti from a team whitewash by Hawke’s Bay in Round 6 of the Freyberg Masters interprovincial tournament at Poverty Bay’s Awapuni Links course this morning. Picture by Paul Rickard

Hawke’s Bay took the honours in their neighbourhood rivalry with Tairāwhiti in Round 6 of the Freyberg Masters men’s national golf interprovincial in Gisborne this morning.

The men in black beat the host province 4-1 on the penultimate day of the over-40s matchplay tournament being held on Poverty Bay Golf Club’s Awapuni Links course.

Tairāwhiti No.2 Tony Akroyd provided the only winning joy for his team — defeating Mike Trass 4 and 3.

No.1 Anaru Reedy lost 4 and 3 to former professional Doug Holloway; No.3 David Solomann lost 5 and 4 to Jared McGillicuddy; No.4 Pete Stewart lost 1-down to Mike Harvey-Fitzgerald; and No.5 Jace Brown lost 4 and 2 to Nick Radonich.

Tairāwhiti are sitting 15th and bottom of the table on half a team point and  6½ individual wins heading into Round 7.

Their nearest rivals are Southland, who they meet tomorrow afternoon in what could be a duel for the wooden spoon.

Tairāwhiti faced leaders Bay of Plenty in Round 7 this afternoon and have a bye tomorrow morning.