Australia’s Penny Landherr and Anne Johns have fallen narrowly short of capturing this year’s New Zealand Open in blustery conditions in Auckland today.
Facing off against south island invaders Raelene Peters and Jan Shirley, the national squad members, fresh off their victory in the women’s fours at the NSW Open last month, were desperate to collect their second and third grand prix titles of the year respectively, but the Canterbury underdogs had other ideas.
With scores locked at 12-apiece playing the final end, little separated either combination, but lady luck was not on the Aussies’ side.
Playing with weight, Johns attempted to dislodge Peters’ shot bowl, but with wind swirling across the TV rink, she had the misfortune of promoting the wood, allowing the Kiwis to claim a memorable win.
Despite the narrow loss, their barnstorming performance across the Tasman is sure to apply the pressure on the Australian selectors ahead of the Delhi Commonwealth Gmaes.
During a memorable year for both players, neither Landherr nor Johns has put a foot wrong.
After gaining selection in the Australian squad for the first time, Landherr made her international debut at the Asia Pacific Merdeka Indoor Championships before capturing her maiden GP title last month.
Not to be outdone, Johns, who made her own debut at the corresponding tournament last year, captured the Australian Open triples in February before returning to Malaysia to win gold in the mixed pairs and triples.
With her confidence riding high, the 29-year-old also won the NSW Open fours before coming up narrowly short this afternoon.
Australia’s attention will now turn to tomorrow’s women’s singles final, with Sharyn Renshaw left to fly the flag for the green and gold army.
Having lifted the inaugural crown in 2007, Renshaw, who currently sits second on the all-time GP winners’ list, set up a highly anticipated showdown with Black Jacks ace Jan Khan.
The final will commence at 9.30am AEDST on Friday.
In today’s triples finals, Bev Corbett, Doreen Schumacher and Annette Bell clinched a 13-6 victory over Elaine McClintock, Lisa Parlane and Marilyn McLeod, while Brett Hassall, Shannon McIlroy and Jamie Hill defeated Danny Delany, Chris Le Lievre and Tom Delany 18-13.
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New Zealand Open results
Women’s pairs final
Raelene Peters and Jan Shirley (NZ) d Penny Landherr and Anne Johns 13-12
Women’s triples final
Corbett, Doreen Schumacher and Annette Bell (NZ) d Elaine McClintock, Lisa Parlane and Marilyn McLeod (NZ) 13-6
Women’s singles final
Sharyn Renshaw (AUST) v Jan Khan (NZ)
