Golf: Australia's 12th Tasman Cup win

New Zealand came up short in their bid to win the Junior Tasman Cup women's golf international for the first time in Wellington yesterday.

Needing an improbable 3-1/2 wins from the final four singles matches, the Kiwis managed 2-1/2 wins with Australia winning the overall contest 13-11.

It was Australia's 12th win from 13 contests. The 2001 event finished in a tie.

The two teams shared the first day honours yesterday with three wins each before Australia yesterday took a decisive advantage in winning both the second-day foursomes matches. This gave the visitors a crucial 10-6 lead going into the final four singles matches.

Bay of Plenty's Zoe-Beth Brake, brought into the final singles to spell Sarah Bradley, responded well to beat Bree Arthur 2 and 1. The 14-year-old produced a superb display with three birdies in her even-par round, and was never behind after taking the lead on the eighth hole.

However Australia ensured they would retain the trophy when their No 4 Laura Richards edged out Lisa Wright 3 and 1 in the lead-off singles match.

Wright managed to square the match with a par at the 13th but she could not respond after losing the next two holes to birdies.

Yeon Song Kim gave New Zealand their second win. The New Zealand strokeplay champion was all square with Clare Choi after 12 holes before winning the 13th and 15th with birdies to seal the match 2 and 1.

Sixteen-year-old Dasom Lee, fought her way back from two down with two to play with a birdie and a par to halve her match with Kristie Smith.

New Zealand coach Susan Farron said: "In reality the damage was done in the morning when we lost both foursomes.

"We talked about it and knew we could not give Australia an advantage going into the final afternoon.

"It was a tall order to expect to win three and a half games but having said that the girls responded superbly and they almost did it.

"They shot our best numbers in the final singles and put the Australians under some pressure."

Results:-

Day two

Foursomes (NZ names first): Sarah Bradley and Lisa Wright lost to Bree Arthur and Felicia Eastick one down; Dasom Lee and Yeon Song Kim lost to Kristie Smith and Clare Choi 4 and 2.

Singles: Wright lost to Laura Richards 3 and 1, Zoe-Beth Brake beat Arthur 2 and 1, Kim beat Choi 2 and 1, Lee and Smith all square.

Final points: Australia 13 New Zealand 11.

- NZPA