Masters success for locals

The 15 Wanganui representatives in the New Zealand team for the Transtasman Roller Hockey test series had some tough battles over the weekend.

Five New Zealand teams, from Under 14 through to Veterans, took on their Australian counterparts in a three-game series at the Dandenong Showgrounds in Melbourne.

All five divisions played twice on Saturday, then completed the Battle of the Southern Seas on Sunday.

The New Zealand senior team were defending champions after winning in Wanganui last year, but went down 3-0 to the home side.

Locals Carlin Barry, Dean Fittness, Kerry Woodthorpe and reserve Brett Palamountain were in the team beaten 8-7, 6-1 and 10-4.

Palamountain and Woodthorpe would have better fortune when they joined fellow Wanganui skaters Blair Lockett and Tahu Skedgwell in the Masters team.

NZ Masters won their series 2-1, taking the opening game 7-3, losing the second 6-3 and then winning the decider 9-4. Lockett also played in the Veterans division with Dave Dench, with the New Zealanders beaten 2-0.

New Zealand lost on Saturday 5-4 and 7-1, before restoring some pride with a 3-3 draw on the Sunday.

The Junior (Under 20) NZ team included Blair Dench, Roland Mead, and Brodi Skedgwell, who were also in the U20 team that won in Wanganui last year.

They came back after losing their first game 4-3 to take out a thrilling series by winning the last two games 6-5 and 2-1.

Wanganui's strongest representation was in the Youth (Under 14) team, with Barry and Fittness coaching a squad that included Jimi Blinkhorne, Cody Lockett, Mitchell Lockett, Ricky Wilkinson, and Eli Zinsli.

They tied the Australians 1-1 in another tight series. After a 2-2 draw in the opening game, New Zealand lost the second game 9-8, but came back the next day to beat Australia 4-2.