Queensland move at Men's Interstate
BY Anthony Powter | Australian Mens Amateur Tour | 2010 Australian Interstate Teams Matches | Matchplay Round Two | 14 Sep 2010
Queensland have made the most of home state advantage to maintain the lead following the second round at the the Men’s Interstate Series being played at Oxley Golf Club in Brisbane.
The overnight leaders continued their good form with an 8 1/2 to 1 1/2 win over Tasmania to lead Victoria by 1 1/2 matches after Victoria, the defending champions secured a 7 1/2 to 3 1/2 victory over New South Wales.
In today’s top-order matches Tim Hart halved his match against Ryan McCarthy, as did Gavin Fairfax and Kalem Richardson. Queensland’s middle order of Brett Rankin, Cameron Smith and Rita Batibasaga won their matches to secure the lead for their state from Victoria, a team that has dominated the series over the last two years with successive victories in these series.
The Victorian’s easily won their morning foursomes encounters against 2007 champions, New South Wales, winning three of the four matches and wins for Kieran Pratt, Daniel Beckmann and Luke Bleumink in afternoon singles matches have the favourites still within striking distance of Queensland.
New South Wales looks particularly promising on paper with the likes of Lincoln Tighe, Matt Stieger, Brett Drewitt, Rhys McGovern, Michael Smyth, Jake Higginbottom and Daniel Bringolf, yet is in third place to find themselves 6 1/2 matches behind Queensland with only three rounds to play.
New South Wales will have record some strong wins over South Australia, Tasmania and Queensland to have any chance to make a mark in these series, which at present is shaping up to be a two horse race between Queensland and Victoria.
Tomorrow’s third round will have Queensland against Victoria in what will be the clincher round of the series with both teams well ahead of their nearest rivals and displaying some stellar golf.
Queensland’s Tim Hart is yet to loose a singles match and is playing strongly. Gavin Fairfax, winner this year at the Keperra Bowl, also is yet to loose a singles match and Cameron Smith, playing number 4 has been in impressive form, winning his two opening singles matches easily including a 6&5 opening win over South Australia’s, Alex Hendrick.
Notable singles wins in the series so far include Tasmania’s, Kalem Richardson’s 2&1 win over Victoria’s, Luke Bleumink in the first round and Queensland’s Tim Hart’s opening demolition of Jordan Sherratt from South Australia, 6&4.
Victoria’s Daniel Beckmann accounted for New South Wales’, Matt Stieger, 5&3, during today’s second round and Luke Bleumink secured a stellar victory over one of the young guns of Australian golf, Brett Drewitt, 3&2.
Tasmania’s Ryan McCarthy, who made the top-16 at the US Amateur last month, squared his top-order match with Tim Hart.
Kieran Pratt, Australia’s top ranked world amateur having taken the crown from Matt Jager – who is not playing these series – remains undefeated in the singles matches following squaring his opening match against Ryan McCarthy and then winning today’s match against Lincoln Tighe, 1-up.
