Taranaki Teams Shine with Perfect Record in Women’s Open Fours

Several teams from Taranaki have made a remarkable impact in the ongoing Devon Hotel Taranaki Women’s Open Fours, achieving a perfect record of three wins from three matches. As of the conclusion of round three on Wednesday, seven Taranaki teams have secured victories, positioning them well for a strong chance to qualify for the knockout stage on Friday.

The successful teams include those skipped by Trish Howard (West End), Rhonda Adams (Fitzroy), Irene Taunt (Tower), Linda Kape (Okato), Barbara Harvey (Paritutu), Elaine Hodge (New Plymouth), and Cindy Nicoll (Inglewood). Each team will need only one more victory from the remaining three games to ensure their progression in the tournament.

In the latest matches, Barbara Harvey, president of the Paritutu club, demonstrated her exceptional leadership and tenacity. Despite a demanding week assisting her club with the men’s Open, she remains undeterred. Harvey’s team includes national nine-hole golf champion Jocelyn Stevenson, three-time Open victor Val Keightley, and last season’s mixed pairs winner Cheryll Sharrock. Their teamwork has been fruitful, highlighted by a significant 27-18 win over Els Maas from Bluff Hill.

In another impressive display, Irene Taunt led her team to a 27-15 victory against the previously unbeaten Lee McDonald from Mercury Bay. Rhonda Adams also secured a close win, defeating Linda Knap of Miramar 27-24. Meanwhile, Linda Kape and her team dominated their match against Judy Cato from Te Awamutu, finishing with a resounding score of 33-5.

Among the visiting teams, several have also performed admirably, with Wendy Green (Ngongotaha), Lesley McLinden (Royal Oak), Estelle Hickey (Carlton Cornwall), and Tracy Fickling, a representative from Canterbury (Allenton), all boasting three consecutive wins.

Following a narrow defeat in her opening match against Green, Maree Gadsby from Fitzroy bounced back to claim two wins, including a decisive 29-14 victory over Rachelle Morrison (Omokoroa). The match was tightly contested, tied at 11-all after 12 ends, before Gadsby found her scoring rhythm.

Other visiting teams that faced challenges on Tuesday but turned their fortunes around on Wednesday morning include Anne Lomas (Far North RSA), Dianne Patterson (Gonville-Castlecliff), Gayle Melrose (Tauranga), and Karen de Jongh (Hinuera). These teams are now striving to secure their places in the next stages of the competition.

As the tournament progresses, approximately 32 teams are anticipated to achieve the necessary four wins by the conclusion of section play on Thursday evening. The excitement around the event continues to build, showcasing the competitive spirit and talent present in both Taranaki and visiting teams.