It was a mixed bag for WA on day one of the Australian Interstate Teams Matches, with a heavy defeat at the hands of South Australia followed by a comfortable win over Tasmania.
In their morning clash with SA, WA struggled to establish an upper hand despite several head-to-head matches being evenly contested at the stunning Southport Golf Club on Queensland’s Gold Coast.
Although WA talisman Jordan Doull was able to impose himself, delivering a 5&3 victory over Sam Earl in the number one men’s match, the reading elsewhere was much less positive.
Event debutants Josiah Edwards and Michael Hanrahan Smith were comfortably overcome, while WA captain Connor Fewkes surrendered a lead to lose his match on the last hole.
The women’s matches were closer, with Abbie Teasdale, Erina Tan and last-minute call-up Ruby Cotton all involved in titanic tussles with talented opponents – and all succumbing to narrow 2&1 defeats.
The result arguably flattered SA but, happily, Team WA was able to regroup and put a confidence-boosting win on the board after proving too strong for Tasmania in the afternoon match.
Doull, once again, was magnificent for WA as he romped to a 6&5 win over Sam Earl, while Joseph Buttress matched that score in his match with Elijah Monaghan.
Hanrahan Smith secured his first point as a WA state player with a 4&3 victory over Mitch Van Noord, while Fewkes opened his account for the series with a hard-fought 2&1 win over rising junior star Jonty Lunson.
In the women’s matches, Isabella Leniartek made an impressive debut for the senior side after stepping up from WA’s junior team. The 15-year-old Mount Lawley ace recorded a 5&3 victory over Tailah Mowat, while Gan and Teasdale also put points on the board for a dominant WA.
Mount Lawley’s Ruby Cotton – who was only called into the team at short notice when Amie Phobubpa contracted COVID – was the only WA player not to notch up a win.
WA captain Connor Fewkes in action on day one of the interstate series
A testing second day awaits
With other results going their way – including an SA defeat to NSW and a tie between QLD and VIC in the afternoon session – WA remain very much in contention but will have to raise their collective games on Tuesday.
A good result in their morning match against Victoria will be essential with an afternoon showdown against a formidable QLD team in the afternoon. Boasting amateur heavyweights Quinnton Croker and Justice Bosio, QLD are strong title contenders and look set to offer a very stern challenge on home soil.
You can view the Interstate Teams Matches schedule and scores here.
Match 1 vs South Australia
Jordan Doull beat Sam Earl 5&3
Connor Fewkes lost to Kade Bryant by 1 hole
Michael Hanrahan Smith lost 4&3 to Kyle Hayter
Josiah Edwards lost 3&2 to Jack Tanner
Abbie Teasdale lost 2&1 to Caitlin Peirce
Amanda Gan lost 4&3 to Amelia Whinney
Ruby Cotton lost 2&1 to Imogen Jessen
Erina Tan lost 2&1 to Raegan Denton
Final score: WA 1 – 7 SA
Match 2 vs Tasmania
Jordan Doull beat Joseph Bower 6&5
Connor Fewkes beat Jonty Lunson 2&1
Michael Hanrahan Smith beat Mitch Van Noord 4&3
Joseph Buttress beat Elijah Monaghan 6&5
Abbie Teasdale beat Mackenzie Wilson 2&1
Ruby Cotton lost 4&3 to Jorjah Bailey
Amanda Gan beat 4&3 Mackenzie Thomas
Isabella Leniartek beat Tailah Mowat 5&3
Final score: WA 7 – 1 Tasmania
Images: Australian Golf Media
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