The NSW Blues have claimed the 2023 Interstate Series with a superb six-matches-to-two win over a gallant South Australian unit at St. Michael’s Golf Club this afternoon.
The contest was a drama-filled affair for the throng of spectators in attendance, with the favoured home team forced to earn every point.
As the final got underway, it appeared to be heading towards a comfortable win for the home team, however, the plucky south Australians managed to claw their way back into several of the contests as the afternoon wore on.
At the half way stage, though the Blues seemed to be cruising, several matches were up by only the barest of margins.
Avondale’s Declan O’Donovan was the first to put a point not he board with a solid 4&3 win over Kade Bryant. the young gun’s win all the more impressive after his disappointing loss in the morning matchup.
Wins also came from the tenacious Annika Rathbone, who captured her fifth win, and became the team’s only undefeated player for the series, Jeffrey Guan, 5&2 over Sam Earl, Harrison Crowe, 4&3 over Jack Buchanan in a result which will be regarded as a fitting exclamation mark on his amateur career – especially on his home course, and Men’s captain, Jye Pickin, whose 2&1 win was which clinched the series victory.
With the contest over, official called in the matches between Belinda Ji and Caitlin Peirce & June Song and Matilda Meils.
Team Captain Jye :Pickin, who grabbed the vital point to secure the historic victor was ecstatic, describing it as one of the best moments of his amateur career.
“it is awesome. It was actually nerve-racking towards the end, knowing that we we still needed a couple of points, but yeah it’s awesome to play in that situation on a golf course like this.”
The win was also a milestone moment for the home course hero, Harrison Crowe, who has underlined his exceptional amateur career with a win in an event he has cherished since first debuting in the NSW team at the Grange in Adelaide back in 2018.
“This is Pretty cool. We’ve had a few cracks at it, well I’ve had a few cracks at it, and for the most part it is probably going to be my last one, so to go out like this is pretty cool. Home state, home golf club, couldn’t have asked for a better way.”
As an individual accomplishment, Crowe added that it ranked amongst his best wins.
“It’s up there for sure. Just this team environment is amazing.
“As I said, just a few years ago when we lost in Tassie, that hurt. So to finally get one under the belt it’s special.
“Picko was in that team and to have a few of those boys, I know Daley did an awesome job this week, Declan was just rock solid down the bottom of the order, and that’s what we need to win. And the girls were awesome, the girls did so well and to have the individual women’s and individual men’s is sick. Sick week .”
FINAL SCORES
Rachel Lee Lost to Reagan Denton 2/1
Declan O’Donovan Defeated Kade Bryant 4/3
Annika Rathbone Defeated Amelia Whinney 5/4
Jye Pickin Defeated Kyle Hayter 2/1
June Song Squared Matilda Meils
Jeffrey Guan Defeated Sam Earl 3/2
Belinda Ji Squared Caitlin Peirce
Harrison Crowe Defeated Jack Buchanan 5/4
Blues March into #IntSeries Final
The NSW Blues are headed into the final of the 2023 Australian Interstate Teams Championship after a six matches to two thumping of this afternoon’s finals opponents, South Australia ,in this morning’s final round -robin match.
Headed by wins from June Song, who accounted for Amelia Whinney 5&4, and Jeffrey Guan who defeated sam Earl 4&3, The team has laid down an ominous marker ahead of this afternoon’s finale.
Other wins came from Rachel Lee 2&1 over Imogen Jessen, Annika Rathbone over Reagan Denton, 2&1, Men’s Captain Jye Pickin 2&1 over Kyle Hayter, and Harrison Crowe taking down his good friend, Jack Buchanan 2 Up after the South Aussie lost the 18th hole after finding the trees from the tee.
With the later than expected finish to the morning’s matches, Official have pushed the starting tee times for the final back too 12.30pm, with the men to go from the first tee and the women now beginning from the 6th.
Queensland, who were a chance of securing a finals berth had a day to forget, with Victoria taking the point in their contest 4.5 to 3.5.
In the final match of the day between Tasmania and Western Australia, it was the West Aussies who finally secured a win with a comfortable 6 – 2 result.
