Australia wins Second Test

For the second day in a row Australia has scored a 9-8 win over New Zealand in the Trans Tasman Junior Series.

After being beaten 9-8 in the first test on Wednesday, the New Zealand Junior Team was optimistic ahead of the second test.  With 'reverse singles' taking place in each of the age groups - plus a different group of players in the under 19 boys matches - there would be plenty of opportunities for reversals.

However, after another strong fight in hot and humid conditions, the New Zealanders were again pipped at the post.  With the test locked at eight matches each, the deciding match was a fitting finale; a five-game thriller lasting an hour with the winner coming from two games down to secure a home-town victory.

If Josh Oakley had beaten Thomas Calvert in their under 19 clash, it would have secured a 9-8 win for the Kiwis and locked the series at 17-all. When Oakley stormed to a an 11-8, 11-9 lead over the experienced Calvert, this seemed likely.  However Calvert used all of the experience gained in a lengthy junior career (including representing Australia at the 2012 World Junior Championships) to claw his way back, winning the final three games 11-7, 11-9, 11-1 to snatch the match and the Cup.

An admirable effort from the Kiwi players, the experience of which will surely stand them in good stead for future campaigns.  They will have a rest and training day on Friday before tackling the Oceania Junior Individual Championships from Saturday.  Draws: http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/tournament.aspx?id=809D9047-9342-4408-A3C4-BD2182065EC3.

Test Two Results

BOYS Under 13

Glenn Templeton           lost to   Ethan Eyles                   11-6 11-6 11-8 

Kobe Fleming                beat      Ryan Bushel-Keegan    6-11 11-8 11-9 11-9

GIRLS Under 13

Kaitlyn Watts                 beat      Siobhan Stephenson    11-1 11-1 11-2

Anika Jackson               beat      Alex Haydon                 11-8 5-11 11-8 12-10                          

BOYS Under 15

Corbin Faint                   lost to   Nicholas Calvert          7-11 11-6 10-12 11-9 12-10                 

Matthew Lucente           beat      William James Curtis   3-11 1-11 11-9 11-7 12-10     

GIRLS Under 15

Nadia Hubbard               beat      Grace Pattison           11-4 11-6 11-9                         

Rhiarne Taiapa              beat       Lauren McInerney     12-10 11-8 11-3                               

BOYS Under 17

Max Trimble                  lost to     Alex Eustace               11-4 11-3 11-3

Luke Jones                    lost to     Solayman Nowrozi      10-12 11-8 5-11 11-8 11-8                         

GIRLS Under 17

Camden Te Kani-McQueen beat Tiana Saxby               11-9 10-12 11-1 11-9                          

Parearau Kutia               lost to   Lakeesha Rarere         11-4 11-6 11-2  

BOYS Under 19

Luke Cooper                  lost to   Rhys Dowling                11-2 11-1 11-3  

Josh Oakley                   lost to   Thomas Calvert             8-11 9-11 11-7 11-9 11-1  

Jordan LeComte            lost to   Sam Ejtemai                 11-7 11-7 11-9  

GIRLS Under 19

Abbie Palmer                 beat      Eloise O’Connor           11-7 7-11 11-4 12-10

Jacinta Matson              lost to   Jessica Turnbull            11-3 13-11 11-7