Bay of Plenty go Back to back with Freyberg win

Bay of Plenty have shown their true championship heart to win their second Freyberg Masters title in a row.

They escaped with a crucial half against a valiant Wellington outfit in round eight this morning who were also in search of a win to keep their hopes at a title alive, and came from behind to get passed Canterbury three games to two this afternoon to secure back-to-back titles.

Wellington had Bay of Plenty against the ropes this morning before things quickly swung in favour of the bay.

They escaped with a half in the number five match and then won a crucial point after Bay of Plenty number two Simon Wright holed an eight-foot par putt on the 18th to get a team half and ensure his side were in control of their own destiny come the afternoon.

The defending champions showed they know how to get the job when it matters once again against Canterbury. They were down in four matches with six holes to play to snatch a three games to two win and ensure they were lifting the trophy for a second year in a row.

They finished half a point clear of Manawatu Wanganui who did what they needed to do on the final day to give themselves the best chance at snatching the title.

They beat Northland this morning and Hawkes Bay this afternoon but had a nervous wait on theur hands to see what happened in the Bay of Plenty match.

But the Bay did what they set out to do this week and held on to win a second title.

Southland surprised many teams this week and finished in a record third place.

Bay of Plenty’s Simon Wright made a big putt in the morning to seal an important half with Wellington and his six wins from seven games earned him the player of the tournament.

Captain Steve Heberley was a strength leading the team out at number 5 and was unbeaten in the 6 games he played.