New Zealand Get Clean Sweep in Whyte Trophy Series

It was a perfect script, three players making their NZ debut, two of them locals, all winning their matches, New Zealand winning the tie 3-2 and the series 3-0

Although the result of the series had already been decided the Australian team were playing for pride and were determined to win the third match of the series

Southlander’s Anna Rankin and James Eunson, both 19 were named in the playing line-up, giving them both their first cap for New Zealand, a very special moment in their lives. New Zealand had to make a last minute replacement in the mixed doubles and women’s doubles as Donna Haliday fell sick and was unable to play; all in all it was a very different New Zealand line-up than the previous two matches.

In the first match of the night the Australian mixed doubles pairing of Ben Walklate and Kate Wilson-Smith were too experienced for the Kiwi pair of Henry Tam and Danielle Barry winning in two games to give Australia the first points on the board.

The next match on was what the crowd had come to see, one of their own born and bred Southlander’s representing New Zealand at Stadium Southland; talk about pressure on Anna Rankin. Nerves under control, Anna played a very steady controlled game of singles, using all four corners of the court to her advantage to defeat Australian Leisha Cooper in two games and level the tie score at 1 each.

Next match on, part two of the Southland representation on debut, James Eunson playing Boris Ma. Ma (17) has had a good year in Australia; winning triple titles at the Australian under 19 championships in July but tonight he was up against a very determined Eunson who dictated the pace of the game, impressing with his speed and power to win with relative ease in two straight games 21-12 21-1. Two one to the Kiwis, the two Southlander’s both winning on debut – who could have written a better script.

Pressure back on the women’s doubles pairs; New Zealand to wrap up the tie, Australia to keep them in the tie. New Zealand represented by Daniel Barry and late replacement Rachel Hindley, started well totally dominating the first game winning 21-12 but the never say die Aussies lifted their game in the second to win it 21-16 and carry the momentum into the third game taking it 21-15

Matches all square at 2 all, winner takes all in the men’s doubles. Another New Zealand debut, Oliver Leydon-Davis partnered by seasoned doubles player Henry Tam. A nervous start for the Kiwi pair losing the first game 21-15 then getting into the match in the second game with some brilliant attacking, Australia on match point putting the serve in the net, the Kiwis making the most of their second change winning the game 23-21, gaining a lot of confidence from that going from strength to strength to win the third game 21-18 giving New Zealand a 3-2 win and another clean sweep in a Whyte Trophy series.

Results: (NZ names first)

Henry Tam/Danielle Barry lost to Ben Walklate/Kate Wilson-Smith 19-21 18-21

Anna Rankin def Leisha Cooper 21-15 21-14

James Eunson def Boris Ma 21-12 21-16

Rachel Hindley/Danielle Barry lost to Eugenia Tanaka/Kate Wilson-Smith 21-12 16-21 15-21

Oliver Leydon-Davis/Henry Tam def Ben Walklate/Glenn Warfe 15-21 23-21 21-18