After a tight tussle, Otago was beaten 3-2 by Tasman in the fifth round of the women's interprovincial on the Lochiel course in Hamilton yesterday morning.
The team could not make amends in the afternoon as it struck the bye. Otago's last opportunity will be against a strong Wellington quintet this morning.
At No 1, Jo Hicks-Beach was in top form against the experienced lead player for Tasman, Emily Stenhouse.
She always looked in control but Stenhouse fought back to be square after the 12th hole. Hicks-Beach retaliated by winning the next three holes and closed the match out on the 16th green.
Otago No 2 Sally Shaw had a tough match against Susan Murray, who was unbeaten during the first four rounds. She maintained her unbeaten record, downing Shaw with holes to spare.
Columba schoolgirl Abigael Crawford, at No 3, turned 1-down to Michele Reardon and lost two holes in a row to be 3-down with four holes to play.
Crawford birdied the 15th but the match finished on the next green when she lost the 16th.
No 4 Rachel Lissaman played well and was always in control in her match against Donna Mitchell.
Lissaman brought her top short game to the contest, which gave her a lead of two at the halfway stage. The match seesawed on the back nine but Lissaman remained in the lead with three holes to play.
She finished strongly, winning the 16th and 17th holes.
Balmacewen's Robyn Chambers was in front at the turn in her match against Eve Clark, but then lost three quick holes to be three behind with four holes to play.
Chambers birdied the 15th and won the 16th but her fightback was too little, too late and she lost one down on the final green.
