Surprise elimination on last day of qualifying

The elimination of the 2021 winner Alison Rennie (Carlton Cornwall) was the main surprise when qualifying concluded in the Taranaki women’s Open fours in New Plymouth yesterday.

Rennie’s side, after two wins and two losses, was already on a tight rope.

That became terminal yesterday morning when Rennie lost again, this time 25-12 to Chris Commane (Opunake).

But elsewhere most of the leading lights were able to navigate their way through, with 25 teams qualifying.

After losing both matches on day one, Kia Toa’s Natarsha Grimshaw qualified by virtue of winning the next four. Both victories yesterday were by large margins.

Heather Johns (Paritutu), the 2012 winner, got her necessary fourth win in the morning. That came 30-14 over Jane Mcintyre (Renwick).

But Mcintyre, on debut at the Open with her Marlborough team, still got the satisfaction of being among the qualifiers.

Her side got home 25-14 over Colleen Day (New Plymouth) in the last round.

There was plenty of action in section B, with only one last round game not played, such was the tightness of the group.

In the end five further teams joined Patty Symes (Tower), but not Rhonda Adams, after the former denied her 20-18.

Among the qualifiers were two high-powered visiting teams, Wendy Green (Ngongotaha) and Gayle Melrose (Papakura).

Both won twice on the last day to make it through.

Debbie Wildermoth (Wanganui East), Denise Cottam (West End) and Gale Fache (Paritutu) also used the last round to get the fourth win.

Lesley Findlay (Palmerston North) had the luxury of the afternoon off, qualifying with a round to spare. Her side defeated Alison Winter (Central Cambridge) 28-12. Winter had already qualified on Wednesday.

The other previously unbeaten side in section C, Dot Collis (Waitarere Beach), went down in the morning 26-25 to Cindy Nicoll (Inglewood) on an extra end. Nicoll’s side took advantage of the situation, winning again in round six to qualify.

On an adjacent rink, Revital Fertilisers Taranaki selector Janice Ropitini (West End) also chalked up her fourth win, beating past NZ rep Anne Lomas (Manurewa) 25-9 in the last round.

Hawera Park’s Kristin Stampa, a much-decorated player in the province, also came home with a wet sail to qualify.

Her side had a memorable day beating two sides that had won their first four games.

First Stampa beat Teo Thoresen (Central Levin) 26-22 and then overcame Mary Campbell (Tauranga) 26-20.

Hawke’s Bay double gold star holder Robyn Wallace (Omarunui) and Maree Gadsby (Fitzroy) both needed to win in the afternoon to qualify. It was the Hawke’s Bay side that took it 25-16.

Elaine Hodge’s New Plymouth got through in the morning. It secured win number four 27-15 over Hazel Littlejohn (Darfield).

All of the post section play today will be at Paritutu, although spectators will not be permitted into the grounds because of the red traffic light.