The following update is by Claire Bradburn who played in this event.
The Annual Challenge between NZ and Australia was held at Adelaide on 18/19 March. NZ has previously dominated the competition. The NZ Seniors had previously won 9 out of 12 with the last loss being in Rotorua in 2014.
After the first day Australia were ahead 32 to 28 but with another 60 points up for grabs on the Sunday NZ felt all we needed to do was hit them hard early. We knew we needed to attack before it got too hot. Saturday was 34c and Sunday was expected to get hotter which it did. Unfortunately the day didn’t go as planned and by the 5th and last round we were well back, but a win was possible, all we had to do was win 5 of the 6 Mixed Doubles.
Our best performing Mixed Doubles team lost 13-0 early in the piece. Claire and her partner had not had a good run but came to the party with a 13-1 win. The last 4 games were hard fought and it wasn’t until the last boule was thrown that we knew we had made it. We were all exhausted including the Coach and Manager. This was Claire’s 10 Trans Tasman and one of the hardest fought.
So Seniors Won 61-59 but the Open team lost 55-65 having previously won 9 tournaments in a row.
Claire Bradburn
After the first day Australia were ahead 32 to 28 but with another 60 points up for grabs on the Sunday NZ felt all we needed to do was hit them hard early. We knew we needed to attack before it got too hot. Saturday was 34c and Sunday was expected to get hotter which it did. Unfortunately the day didn’t go as planned and by the 5th and last round we were well back, but a win was possible, all we had to do was win 5 of the 6 Mixed Doubles.
Our best performing Mixed Doubles team lost 13-0 early in the piece. Claire and her partner had not had a good run but came to the party with a 13-1 win. The last 4 games were hard fought and it wasn’t until the last boule was thrown that we knew we had made it. We were all exhausted including the Coach and Manager. This was Claire’s 10 Trans Tasman and one of the hardest fought.
So Seniors Won 61-59 but the Open team lost 55-65 having previously won 9 tournaments in a row.
Claire Bradburn
