WA face a must-win match against Queensland on Wednesday morning to have any chance of landing the Australian Interstate Teams Matches title.
An intriguing day’s play at Melville Glades Golf Club saw WA defeat Tasmania and earn a hard-fought draw against Victoria to extend their unbeaten run in this year’s competition to four matches.
The home side predictably had too much firepower for Tasmania in the morning session as they ran out comfortable winners.
Dominant performances from Katie Seol and Isabella Leniartek put early points on the board for WA and the match was all over bar the shouting soon after when Connor Fewkes and Adam Baillie both secured their first points of the series.
There’s some talent in the Tassie lineup, however, notably their leading women Jorjah Bailey and Mackenzie Thomas, who gave excellent accounts of themselves in their respective clashes against Amanda Gan and Valerie Khuu.
Thomas prevailed 4&2 over Khuu, and Bailey looked set to follow suit as she raced to an early three-hole lead over Gan and was still two up with four to play.
WA’s Katie Seol in action against Tasmania
Displaying the never-say-die attitude that saw her win both her matches on Monday, however, Gan once again turned a likely loss into a thrilling win.
She did it in true champion’s style, too, levelling the match on the 16th before a sensational eagle on 18 granted her a 1UP victory.
With further points for George Barclay and Spencer Harrison – his third win from three matches – WA cruised to a 7-1 win.
Victoria provide a real test
The morning procession would have counted for naught had WA been unable to gain at least a share of the spoils against Victoria in the afternoon matches.
Victoria had made a slow start to the competition, beating only Tasmania and losing to NSW and QLD in their opening three encounters. Their quality showed against WA, however, as they gave their hosts a real battle in an enthralling encounter.
The eastern staters swiftly moved into commanding positions in five of the eight matches as they threatened to rain on the home team’s parade, but WA again displayed great resilience in the face of adversity.
In the first match out, WA’s Katie Seol found herself three down to Sophie Mann after just three holes. The teen starlet turned the match on its head, though, to reel her opponent in and charge past her en route to a 3&2 victory.
Adam Baillie’s match against Nick Horvath was even more exciting, as The Vines member also clawed his way back from a three-hole deficit to level the match on the 17th. He duly won the 18th to snatch a 1UP victory – the only time in the match he was in front.
Adam Baillie won both his matches on Day 2 of the Interstate Series
The dependable George Barclay continued his fine series with a 4&3 win, but defeats for Amanda Gan, Isabella Leniartek, Amie Phobubpa and skipper Connor Fewkes left Josiah Edwards needing a win in the top match against Abel Eduard.
Fortunately for WA, Edwards (pictured top) revels in the big occasion. With his team-mates crowding around to cheer him on, the 18-year-old delivered the goods as he bested his rival 3&2 to secure his team a precious half-point.
With two wins and two halves from four matches, WA sit third in the standings, level on points with NSW and half a point behind leaders QLD after the two powerhouse states played out an entertaining 4-4 draw of their own this afternoon.
WA now face a pivotal clash against title favourites QLD on Wednesday morning. Only a win will be enough to secure themselves a place in the afternoon final as one of the top two teams in the standings.
Should WA achieve that not-insignificant feat, the likelihood is that they will NSW in the final should they, as expected, defeat Tasmania in their last round-robin match tomorrow morning.
Play commences at 7.30am on Wednesday. Spectators are welcome – and encouraged – to attend.
Day 2 results
Morning – WA vs Tasmania
George Barclay won 4&3 against Mitch Van Noord
Amanda Gan won 1UP against Jorjah Bailey
Spencer Harrison won 4&3 against Brayden Field
Valerie Khuu lost 4&2 to Mackenzie Thomas
Connor Fewkes won 4&3 against Elijah Monaghan
Isabella Leniartek won 7&5 against Lorissa Dobson
Adam Baillie won 3&2 against James Robinson
Katie Seol won 6&5 against Billie Richmond
Final score: WA 7 – 1 Tasmania
Afternoon – WA vs Victoria
Josiah Edwards won 3&2 against Abel Eduard
Amie Phobubpa lost 5&4 against Jazy Roberts
George Barclay won 4&3 against Max Moring
Isabella Leniartek lost 3&1 against Amelia Harris
Connor Fewkes lost 2&1 against Hamish Farquharson
Amanda Gan lost 4&3 against Molly McLean
Adam Baillie won 1UP against Nick Horvath
Katie Seol won 3&2 against Sophie Mann
Final score: WA 4 – 4 VIC
Current standings
View all today’s results and standings here.
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