If the Black Caps need a good omen for tomorrow night's final against Australia, they can take heart from one of Wanganui's own who has been there and done it in Melbourne.
Wanganui East Petanque club member Christine Strichen was in the 24-strong New Zealand team who travelled to Melbourne to play the Transtasman challenge on March 15.
Strichen's open-grade team beat Australia for the eighth year running, 68-52, while the senior New Zealand team regained their trophy with a 63-57 win.
Back at home, Strichen had momentum for the Melbourne trip after she, Sheryl Parslow and Dene Futcher won the Wanganui East triples tournament at the start of the month.
Runners-up were Yvonne Futcher, Tony Simpson and Paul Anderson, while third place went to Bill Ray, Pauline Ray and Shirley Madgwick.
Strichen, Parslow and Dene Futcher then went to the Wellington District Triples Champion of Champions in Otaki and were victorious.
Also on March 15, 12 members of the club attended the Otaki Melee event, with Jane Lewis emerging the winner after being the only player out of 64 to achieve five wins.