New Zealand Losses To Australia For First Time In 16 Years

New Zealand has lost badminton’s trans-Tasman supremacy title, the Whyte Trophy for the first time since 1995 after tasting defeat at the hands of Australia 4-1 in Melbourne last night.

The inexperienced New Zealand team got off to a good start winning the first game of the men’s doubles clash with Oliver Leydon-Davis(Waikato) and Kevin Dennerly-Minturn(Auckland) taking the set 21-14 against the Australian pair of Glenn Warfe and Ross Smith who are ranked at 67 in the world. The Kiwis are ranked outside the top 125.

However the Australians fought back strongly to win the second game 21-7 before taking the third 21-15.

The next match was the women’s doubles where Waikato’s Amanda Brown made her debut combining with Stephanie Cheng(Auckland). The Kiwi team was outplayed by the more experienced Leanne Choo and Renuga Veeran, who won 21-7 21-13.

A solid win in the men’s singles by Southland’s James Eunson against Jeff Tho in straight games kept the New Zealand team in the contest, but Victoria Na wrapped up the contest for Australia by defeating Anna Rankin(Southland) in the women’s singles 21-18 21-12.

The mixed doubles match saw Dennerly-Minturn and Stephanie Cheng team up against Warfe and Veeran for a 21-16 21-19 loss.

All players now take part in the Li-Ning Altona International event starting today in Melbourne.

Results, Whyte Trophy (Australian names first):
Australia beat New Zealand 4-1.
Men’s doubles:
Ross Smith/Glenn Warfe bt Oliver Leydon-Davis/Kevin Dennerly-Minturn 14-21 21-7 21-15,
Women’s doubles:
Leanne Choo/Renuga Veeran bt Amanda Brown/Stephanie Cheng 21-7 21-13,
Men’s singles:
Jeff Tho lost to James Eunson 9-21 13-21,
Women’s singles:
Victoria Na bt Anna Rankin 21-18 21-12,
Mixed doubles:
Glenn Warfe/Renuga Veeran bt Kevin Dennerly-Minturn/Stephanie Cheng 21-16 21-19