12-year-old sets the pace for her team

IN-FORM: Maraea Durie lines up a putt on a dominant day one for the team at the Women's Toro Interprovincials in Ashburton.PHOTO/JOSEPH JOHNSON/BWMEDIA FOR NZ GOLF

Manawatu/Wanganui and Canterbury took early control in the Women's Toro Interprovincials by recording two wins from their first two matches in Ashburton on Tuesday.

Manawatu/Wanganui followed through in round three yesterday morning with victory over Taranaki, while Canterbury sat out a bye.

Canterbury were to return in the afternoon to play Aorangi/South Canterbury, while Manawatu/Wanganui had the bye. The Canterbury match went into the evening beyond the Chronicle deadline.

Manawatu/Wanganui were on fire on day one, beating Otago by a big margin before claiming the scalp of Wellington.

Manawatu/Wanganui beat Otago, taking four and a half of the five points on offer in the morning then put up a strong 3 and 2 win over Wellington.

It was still very early in the tournament however and with last year's top four all having a bye, there is no time for complacency at the top.

Manawatu/Wanganui's No3 and youngest member, 12-year-old Tara Raj from the Wanganui Club, set the benchmark against Otago. After the first four holes only Raj was doing the business, but the rest of the team picked up their games and fought back,

In-form Raj continued on beating Tracey Storer six-up with four holes in hand.

Manawatu/Wanganui No4 Katherine Paskins chimed in and was up five against Annabel Evans also with four holes in hand.

With one hole in hand and up two, No1 Maraea Durie and No5 Tania Hook won, while Leanne Brown finished all-square with Abigael Crawford.

Against Wellington, Paskins finished her match up four with three holes remaining against Emma Hayward, while Hook was in control against Chelsea Sharp, winning five up with three holes remaining. Brown was four up with three holes remaining against Amy Austin.

Durie then lost by two to Te Rongopai Clay and Raj by three to Sam-Maree Brown.

Canterbury showed early dominance by defeating Hawke's Bay/Poverty Bay in a clean sweep.

All five golfers recorded impressive victories with Julianna Hung winning by 7 and 6.

"Tara is really enjoying the experience," Raj's father Dilan said from Wanganui yesterday.

"In her first match she was six-up with four holes in hand, so had quite a bit of time on her hands before the afternoon game.

She hung around the clubhouse instead of perhaps going off to relax somewhere, but she told me she was learned from the experience. Either way if she is rushed between games or has plenty of time to kill she now knows what to do. Tara said it is a great team spirit and everyone in the team is getting on well," Raj snr said.

While Raj had earned the right to play No1 for Manawatu/Wanganui after winning the Order of Merit trial series, the No3 spot was regarded a good selection option, both for the team's chances and for Raj's development given her age.

Manawatu/Wanganui remained unbeaten at the top of the ladder after beating Taranaki 3 and 2 in the morning session yesterday.

Durie was 1up against Holly Winter, Brown lost 4&2 to Tyla Winter, Raj beat Rochelle Keegan 2up, Melanie Wilson beat Paskins 1up and Hook beat Joanne McDonald 2&1.