Underdogs ease into semifinals

Manawatu¯ -Wanganui kept their hopes of a first Women’s Toro Interprovincial title in 58 years alive after they squeezed past Wellington in the final pool game at the Waitikiri Golf Club yesterday.

With Canterbury already qualified for the semifinals, Manawatu¯ -Wanganui’s matchup with second-placed Wellington took on a virtual quarter-final atmosphere, with Bay of Plenty still having an outside chance of getting through if they could upset Canterbury while the other matchup was a draw.

Despite Wanganui Golf Club’s Tara Raj losing her battle of the No 1 players with Wellington’s Darae Chung 4-3, her teammates stepped up to secure a 3-2 overall victory.

No 2 player Zhuoyi Hu chipped in to earn the final point with her 3-1 win over Erika Cui, while Manawatu-Wanganui also had the experience of Lisa Herbert at No 4, and the NZ Golf selector claimed a vital point on the last hole under pressure, beating Mia Scrimgeour 1up.

Manawatu¯ -Wanganui have not won the Interprovincial since 1960.

They will play the first semifinal today against Auckland with a 7.30am tee-off, with Canterbury playing North Harbour right behind them at 8.05am.

Auckland and Canterbury are undefeated and have dominated their matchups all week, while North Harbour only lost to Auckland and won their other matchups.

Manawatu¯ -Wanganui lost to Canterbury and drew with Bay of Plenty.