Auckland racks up fifth win in last six years

The dominance of Auckland at the women’s New Zealand Interprovincials’ Championship continued last month.
Auckland beat Bay of Plenty 3-2 in the final of the Toro-sponsored event to notch a remarkable fifth win in the last six years.
But the latest win, at the Westown Golf Club in New Plymouth, went down to the wire in weather conditions that were horrendous.
Auckland No 2 Munchin Keh secured an early point with a commanding 6 and 5 win while Auckland No 4 Brittany Dryland gained a second point with a 2 and 1 win.
The final was still in the balance as Auckland No 5 Carmin Lin, a 12-year-old, came to the last hole of her game.
Lim had an eight foot putt for victory and, unaware the title was on the line, she rammed it home.
“I had no idea that putt was for the win,’’ Lim said.
“It was meant to be an easy two-putt but I’m just happy I made it. This week has been a great experience and I can’t wait to return next year.”
Siyi Keh, a younger sister of Munchin, and Auckland No 1 Rose Zheng lost their matches to provide Bay of Plenty with thoughts of what might have been.
Munchin Keh was later named player of the tournament with an unbeaten record from eight games.
Her emotions were hard to hide as the experienced Auckland and national representative anchored her side all week.
“Oh I’m so stoked at the moment,’’ Keh said with a beaming smile.
“From last year (when failing to make the semi-finals) to this year is so different. We are so happy with this big win.”
Keh was proud of her 100 percent winning record but said the performance of the team was the priority.
“It’s always a bonus but I wasn’t too focused on the individual aspect. I just wanted to do my part for the team.
“The girls have done really well and worked really hard for this. This one is one to remember after last year, we wanted it so bad and to complete the week as champions, it’s a great feeling.”
Keh was not the only player to win every game. Her teammate Dryland also achieved the feat as did Bay of Plenty’s Emmalee Morrell.
The wet weather saw the final delayed by an hour shortly after it began. Other matches outside the final were abandoned.
The effort from the consistently strong and previously undefeated Bay of Plenty side remained a good one. It had fought out a 3-2 win over Canterbury in the semi-finals and were tough opponents for Auckland in the final.
Bay of Plenty No 1 Alanna Campbell led her team’s charge in what could be her final Interprovincials after receiving a golfing scholarship to the United States. In the final she defeated Zheng, a 14-year-old rising star, by 2 and 1.

2016 TORO WOMEN’S
INTERPROVINCIAL RESULTS
Final
AUCKLAND 3 BAY OF PLENTY 2
Rose Zheng lost to Alanna Campbell 2/1, Munchin Keh def Rotana Howard 6/5, Siyi Keh lost to Emmalee Morrell 2/1, Brittney Dryland def Jodae Ngaheu 2/1, Carmen Lim def Mary Lines 1up
Semi-Finals
AUCKLAND 5 WELLINGTON 0
Rose Zheng def Gabrielle Palado 5/3, Munchin Keh def Te Rongopai Clay 4/2, Siyi Keh def Darae Chung 1up, Brittney Dryland def Shontalia William, Carmen Lim def Alanah Braybrook 2/1
BAY OF PLENTY 3 CANTERBURY 2
Alanna Campbell lost to Amelia Garvey 3/2, Rotana Howard def Juliana Hung 2up, Emmalee Morrell def Hillary O’Connor 1up, Jodae Ngaheu lost to Catherine Bell 3/1, Mary Lines def Jasmine Rou 3/1.