WA’s juniors made a promising start to the Australian Junior Interstate Teams Matches, halving their opening match against Victoria at Royal Fremantle.
The new-look WA team (pictured above) features seven debutants in its 10-strong line-up, with five of those – Alice Tonts, Aileen Sirait, Spencer Harrison, Halia Edwards and Nate Johnson – selected against Victoria.
They joined seasoned state campaigners Isabella Leniartek, Ollie Marsh and Josiah Edwards for the day-one clash, with all three leading by example to put points on the board for WA.
Mount Lawley GC’s Leniartek looked particularly poised as she recorded a 5&3 win over Jaehee Yun, while team captain Edwards was rarely troubled on his way to beating Hamish Farquharson 3&2.
Marsh’s win over Rupert Toomey was anything but straightforward, with the Wanneroo 16-year-old fighting back from an early deficit to claw his way ahead at the 16th.
Some sublime approach play on the final two holes under great pressure from his opponent saw Marsh hold on to post a vital 1UP victory. When added to Aileen Sirait’s excellent 3&2 win against Sophie Mann, Team WA was guaranteed at least a halved match.
Aileen Sirait marked her state debut with a fine 3&2 win
The last WA player on the course was Spencer Harrison, who fought back valiantly from 3 down against Jesse Trembeth to take their match to the 18th. He even stood over a makeable putt to win the hole and the tie for WA, but it grazed the edge and refused to drop.
Still, a fighting draw against a talented Victorian team represented a good start for WA, with only young Halia Edwards unable to impose herself in a tough tie against rising star Amelia Harris.
WA coach Craig Bishop was pleased with the team’s showing, saying: “Victoria always present well, so we’re pretty happy with a halved match. There were some good performances today, which will give our players confidence ahead of playing Queensland tomorrow.”
The Australian Junior Interstate Teams Matches follow a round-robin match play format, with four boys and four girls going head-to-head in individual matches in each session.
WA had a bye on Monday afternoon but a big day awaits on Tuesday with matches against South Australia and the much-fancied QLD. You can follow the scores from the event here.
WA vs Victoria scores
Alice Tonts lost 3&2 to Seabil Leong
Isabella leniartek beat Jaehee Yun 5&3
Aileen Sirait beat Sophie Mann 3&2
Halia Edwards lost 6&5 to Amelia Harris
Nate Johnson lost 2&1 to Elbert Kim
Ollie Marsh beat Rupert Toomey 1UP
Josiah Edwards beat Hamish Farquharson 3&2
Spencer Harrison lost by 1 hole to Jesse Trembeth
Final score: WA 4 – 4 Victoria
Ollie Marsh scrambled well on his way to a vital 1UP victory
