Auckland cemented a crucial victory over long-time adversaries Wellington to claw their way back into contention on the third day of the Freyberg Masters provincial golf tournament in Invercargill today.
The two teams have dominated the annual team matchplay event involving all 15 golf districts for golfers 40 years and over, winning 17 titles between them in its 24-year history.
Today's match in the fifth and only round of the day at Invercargill Golf Club was a barnstormer with Auckland getting home 3-1/2 to 1-1/2 over Wellington with four of the five matches going to the 18th hole. Three games finished all square, with Mike Leitch winning 1-up over Tom Slaven on the 18th green in a vital result for Auckland.
Manawatu-Wanganui were pushed all the way in their 3-2 win over Tasman to remain at the top of division one with four points. Auckland's win has seen them leapfrog Wellington into second place on three wins and a half with the Capital team on three wins.
These three teams will likely fight out for two spots in Friday's semifinal.
Manawatu-Wanganui, who enjoyed three good wins by Kieran Corkill, Stu Smith and Malcolm Wells, have the bye tomorrow morning. This will leave them with a must-win final-round clash over Otago in the afternoon.
Auckland could finish top of the division if they can get home over winless Tasman in the morning and Aorangi in the final round.
Wellington will likely need two wins over hosts Southland and Hawke's Bay -- a tough assignment -- and it may still require a countback of games to separate them from Manawatu-Wanganui.
The other division remains even tighter with three teams equal at the top on three wins and 13 individual games -- Bay of Plenty, North harbour and Northland -- with the teak-tough Taranaki only half a game back.
Bay of Plenty bounced back from two losses yesterday to beat Canterbury 3-1/2 to 1-1/2 while North Harbour accounted for Waikato by a similar margin - although in much tighter battle with three matches finishing all square and Rob Noffke scoring the key 1up victory at No 5.
Northland were too strong for Poverty Bay while Taranaki had the bye.
There was good news on the home front with hosts Southland grabbing their first win of the week 3½ to 1½ over Hawkes Bay with strong wins to Paul Adams, Phil McDonald and Glenn Sutherland.
Bay of Plenty face the bye tomorrow morning and will have a must-win final round clash against Waikato in the afternoon.
Taranaki will likely need two wins and face tough tests in a crucial morning clash against North Harbour and the likely decider over Northland in the final round.
Canterbury might be the show-stopper with matches against contenders Northland and North Harbour.
The semifinals and final are on Friday.
Round five scores:
Auckland 3-1/2 Wellington 1-1/2, Southland 3-1/2 Hawke's Bay 1-1/2, Northland 4-1/2 Poverty Bay 1/2, Otago 4 Aorangi 1, Manawatu Wanganui 3 Tasman 2, North Harbour 3-1/2 Waikato 1-1/2, Bay of Plenty 3-1/2 Canterbury 1-1/2. Taranaki - bye.
Points after five rounds:
Division 1: Manawatu Wanganui 4 wins, 16 individual games; Auckland 3.5, 14; Wellington 3, 11; Otago 2, 15; Aorangi 2, 8; Hawkes Bay 1.5, 9; Southland 1, 7.5; Tasman 0, 5.5.
Division 2: Bay of Plenty, North Harbour, Northland 3 wins, 13 individual games; Taranaki 2.5, 13; Waikato 2, 11; Canterbury 1.5, 11; Poverty Bay 0, 2.5.
