New Zealand Defeat Australia at World Women's Team Championships

New Zealand has claimed seventh place at the World Women's Team Championships after a win over our Trans-Tasman rivals Australia.

WR#10 Joelle King was first on court against WR#20 Donna Urquhart. King and Urquhart fought hard on court going point for point and with a close second game it seemed that the match could go either way, but King worked hard and claimed the first match and the lead for New Zealand in 3 (11-6, 12-10, 11-9) 32mins.

WR#61 Megan Craig was next to the court to take on WR#26 Rachael Grinham. Craig came out strong in the first game and took the lead but Grinham stepped up in the second and the players went point for point sending the game long but Grinham was eventually able to level the game score to 1 all. Grinham and Craig battled it out in the third game but Grinham was able to extend her lead to 2-1. This only put the fire in Craig who came out to level the score to 2 all and send the match to the fifth. Unfortunately it wasn't meant to be as Grinham showed her experience and closed out the match in 5 (6-11, 12-10, 11-8, 9-11, 11-4) and leveled the scores sending the tie to the deciding match.

WR#55 Amanda Landers-Murphy was in the deciding match against WR#53 Tamika Saxby. Landers-Murphy after a great run in Australia last month was looking to seal the victory for New Zealand. Landers-Murphy never looked out of place in the first game claiming the first game comfortably. Saxby pushed Landers-Murphy in the second and whilst the game went long Landers-Murphy kept calm and claimed the second game. It was all in New Zealand's favor after this as Landers-Murphy never looked back and she sealed the game and the match for New Zealand in 3 (11-6, 12-10, 11-1).

The New Zealand team were seeded eighth and have finished in seventh place. Great work to our New Zealand team and the coach of Glen Wilson. Check out the World Women's Team Championship page here to see all the results and where you can re-watch the games.