Australia pillages silverware across the ditch
The Australian Jackaroos’s title defence on the traditionally coveted Trans Tasman silverware is secured after powering past arch-rivals New Zealand earlier today at the Howick Bowls Club in Auckland.
With the series going down in the wire in four of the six disciplines on the final day of the three test series event, there was more than national pride on the line as the all-conquering Aussies went about retaining the overall honours and their world number one standing.
Following three nail-biting days of competition, the 30-strong Australian contingent returns home after a clean sweep of the overall trophies for the senior, development and under 18 competitions with New Zealand’s only test victory coming courtesy of their Under 18 boys’ combination.
The under-18 girls and development women, who had wrapped up their series at the close of play on day two after their second consecutive test victories resulted in an unassailable lead, were unable to produce a clean-sweep on the series, with both combinations dropping four of their six rubbers on offer during the final test.
Whilst unable to retain their unblemished record, the result didn’t impact the overall standings, after the development men produced their second test win during the final day of play, and the under-18 boys did enough to quell any hopes of a Kiwi revival.
As a result, the Jackaroos continued their long standing dominance at the junior level, securing the under-18 trophy on a count back despite failing to secure the desired result in the boys’ discipline.
The host nation has held the development trophy pride of place in the New Zealand trophy cabinet for the past two years but due to a solid three-day performance by the Aussies, that now heads ‘Down Under’ alongside the retained senior and overall trophies.
Since the inaugural Trans Tasman in 1979, Australia has held sway against New Zealand in the senior event, claiming the men’s title on 20 of the 35 occasions, while its women have captured 11 of 17, including a draw.
Trans Tasman test three results:
Under-18 girls
Pairs Aust 13 def NZ 12
Triples Aust 6 lost to NZ 29
Singles Aust 16 lost to NZ 21
Fours Aust 12 lost to NZ 13
Pairs Aust 17 def NZ 13
Triples Aust 11 lost to NZ 17.
Test result: NZ win third test
Series result: Australia win test series 2-1.
Under-18 boys
Pairs Aust 16 def NZ 11
Triples Aust 13 def NZ 12
Singles Aust 16 lost to NZ 21
Fours Aust 6 lost NZ 13
Pairs Aust 9 lost to NZ 19
Triples Aust 11 lost to NZ 16
Test result: NZ win third test
Series result: NZ win test series 2-1.
Development women
Pairs Aust 15 lost to NZ 16
Triples Aust 6 lost to NZ 22
Singles Aust 17 lost to NZ 21
Fours Aust 14 def NZ 7
Pairs Aust 16 def NZ 10
Triples Aust 8 lost to NZ 22
Test result: NZ win third test
Series result: Australia win test series 2-1.
Development men
Pairs Aust 13 lost to NZ 14
Triples Aust 11 lost to NZ 13
Singles Aust 21 def NZ 9
Fours Aust 10 drew NZ 10
Pairs Aust 24 def NZ 5
Triples Aust 12 def NZ 11
Test result: Aust win third test
Series result: Australia win test series 2-1
Open women
Pairs Aust 14 def NZ 9
Triples Aust 21 def NZ 10
Singles Aust 16 lost to NZ 20 (Timed out)
Fours Aust 13 drew NZ 13
Pairs Aust 10 def NZ 9
Triples Aust 19 def NZ 4
Test result: Aust win third test
Series result: Australia win test series 2-1.
Open men
Pairs Aust 16 def NZ 11
Triples Aust 12 drew NZ 12
Singles Aust 21 def NZ 20
Fours Aust 16 def NZ 7
Pairs Aust 10 def NZ 9
Triples Aust 19 def NZ 4
Test result: Aust win third test
Series result: Australia win test series 2-1.
