Burnside Pairs: Australian contingent enjoy fruitful day
The opening day of the lucrative Burnside Pairs competition in New Zealand has proved successful for the Australian contingent, with all four teams sitting in strong positions to progress through their sections into the top post sectional division.
Australia’s teams consist of Open men’s and women’s pairs, as well as Emerging men’s and women’s squads who are plying their trade against some strong competition.
It was the Emerging contingent who enjoyed a sensational beginning to the tournament, with the men going without loss and the women showing just one blemish.
Nathan Black and Cohen Litfin flew the flag for the green and gold in Section 3 and looked in stunning form as they notched up an undefeated record from their quartet of matches.
They began with a 13-11 win against Sanjhe Prasad and Mike Mehlhopt before taking down Steve Glassey and Pete Redfern in their second match.
Andy McLean and Brent McEwan were the South Australia and Queensland combination’s third opponents and they would run away with a 14-4 win before finishing the day with a 9-9 draw Aiden Takarua and Jeremy Brosnan.
Kate Matthews and Jessie Cottell have destiny in their own hands following a successful day’s play beginning with a 13-8 win over Sean Thompson and Jacob Inch before backing up with a 16-8 victory against Dennis Brewster and Vincent Chia.
The duo were pushed in their third contest but prevailed 12-10 over Steve Lilley and Chris Kibblewhite before a fourth round defeat at the hands of Jamey Ferris and Steve Goldsbury.
In Section 1 Cody Packer and Aaron Teys completed the day in third position following two wins and two losses from their four contests.
The Right at Home Jackaroos duo opened the morning with a 15-9 win over Richie Kerr and Marshall Stoddart before succumbing to Kerry Becks and Darren Redway who overcame the Australians 19-7.
Teys and Packer would regroup to claim a 15-8 victory against Lisa Prideaux and Ashleigh Jeffcoat before falling to Joseph van der Pennen and Hamish Wilson in the concluding match of the day.
In Section 2, Kylie Whitehead and Dawn Hayman did their progression chances no harm with three wins from their four encounters on day one, closing play in second position.
The first match was a 14-8 defeat at the hands of Richard Hocking and Barry Williams who would finish the afternoon at the helm of the section.
The Australians then recorded three victories on the bounce commencing with a tight 13-12 win against Shaun Aynsley and John Lynch before overcoming the pairs of Kevin Gore and Ross Stevens and Barrie Andrews and Tom Taiaroa respectively.
The final round of sectional play kicks off tomorrow morning with the divisional playoffs to commence in the afternoon.
