1 December 2008

Taranaki successfully defended the Christie Cup against Wanganui, at Rotokare on Sunday.  They lead 8-4 after the singles and with a 12-6 lead going into the combines, the Cup was in the bag. They didn't drop another match to take out the tie 18-6, the same score as last year.  Taranaki were led by No 1 and captain Ben Pollard who won all his matches as did No 1 Nicole Koch.  The other team members to win all three were  Donna Thorne, Jonathan Ussher, Cameron Koch, Josh Walden and John Hardie Boys.
Selector Bruce Cleland was happy with the result, he thought it would be closer when the scores were 12-6. He said it was a good team effort.
 
Most of the matches were easy wins to Taranaki.  Wanganui won three of the four three setters.  In the singles, Wanganui's No 4 Taylor Quirk beat Neil McCann, No 2 Trelise Graham beat Alesha Ford and in the doubles Graham and Paige Hourigan beat Sue Oldfield and Irene Cruikshank.
 
Taranaki's next match is the Adidias Cup quadrangular in Masterton on 24/25 January followed by a Christie Cup defence against Manawatu on 21 February  in Palmerston North.