NSW win in thrilling fashion!!
NSW have fought back from 5 points down to win the 2012 State of Origin, beating Queensland 15.5 – 14.5 at Newcastle Golf Club.
Queensland jumped out to an early 5.5-0.5 lead after dominating the morning session on day 1, winning 5 of the Mixed Foursomes matches. It was very nearly 6-0 for Queensland, and would have been, if not for Celina Yuan (NSW) holing a 10 foot par to win the last hole, and earn NSW a half point.
Mixed Foursomes Results. Qld 5.5 - 0.5 NSW
Kay / Mee (Qld) def Choi / Armstrong (NSW) 5&4
White / Trent (Qld) sq Yuan / Jung (NSW)
Law / Reeves (Qld) def Lasky / Yuan (NSW) 3&2
Russell / Tonkin (Qld) def Macdonald / Booth (NSW) 1up
Stanton / Weston (Qld) def Santoso / Stolz (NSW) 5&4
White / Wall (Qld) def Scheetz / Kato (NSW) 3&1
NSW fought back in the afternoon, as the rain was blown away by some strong winds, and the same sex 4 ball matches went NSW way by 4-2. The match of the day was definitely the boys 16/17 game, with Ricky Kato and Zac Stolz combining to be 9 under par through 17 holes, and recording a 2&1 victory. That result left Queensland in front 7.5 – 4.5 after day 1.
4 Ball. NSW 4 - 2 Qld
Mee / Trent (Qld) def by Armstrong / Jung (NSW)
Kay / White (Qld) def by Choi / Yuan (NSW)
Reeves / Tonkin (Qld) def by Yuan / Booth (NSW)
Law / Russel (Qld) def Lasky / Macdonald (NSW)
Weston / Wall (QLD) def by Stolz / Kato (NSW)
Stanton / White (QLD) def Santoso / Scheetz (NSW)
NSW continued to peg back the lead early on day 2, and after another 4-2 result, NSW headed into the afternoon session only trailing by ½ a point. The same sex foursomes provided some fantastic golf, with Grant Booth and Kevin Yuan playing near flawless golf, to win 2&1.
Foursomes. NSW 4 - 2 Qld
Mee / Trent (Qld) def by Armstrong / Jung (NSW) 2&1
Kay / White (Qld) def by Choi / Yuan (NSW) 7&6
Reeves / Tonkin (Qld) def by Yuan / Booth (NSW) 2&1
Law / Russel (Qld) def Lasky / Macdonald (NSW) 1up
Weston / Wall (QLD) def Stolz / Kato (NSW) 7&5
Stanton / White (QLD) def by Santoso / Scheetz (NSW) 2&1
As the afternoon singles matches got under way, NSW knew they needed to get off to a hot start, and hot start they did. In the 12 years and under girls match, Doey Choi (NSW) played the best round of her life, and through 17 holes was 1 under par, to win 2&1. Both Doey and Rebecca (Qld) played high quality golf and it is hard to believe both girls are still only 12 years old.
NSW continued to dominate in the younger age groups, and after Josh Armstrong, Celina Yuan, and Tony Jung had won the first 4 matches, NSW were in front. Queensland fought back, and would of just about secured victory, if not for Jess Lasky (NSW), who despite being down and out at 3 down, fought back, and made a 12 foot putt on 18 to secure NSW a half point against Kate Law (Qld). That half point proved crucial, as with the two 17 year old games left on course, the scores were tied at 14-14. Ricky Kato held his nerve, winning holes 16 and 17 to secure a 2&1 win, which left all the pressure on the girls 17 years match. Needing to hole a 15 foot putt to win the last hole, win her match, and tie the series, Queensland captain Nadine White’s putt slid agonisingly past, which left NSW once again, State of Origin Champions.
Singles. NSW 7 - 5 Qld
Kay (Qld) def by Choi (NSW) 2&1
Mee (Qld) def by Armstrong (NSW) 2&1
White (Qld) def by Yuan (NSW) 2&1
Trent (Qld) def by Junh (NSW) 3&2
Law (Qld) sq Lasky (NSW)
Reeves (Qld) def Yuan (NSW) 7&6
Russell (Qld) def Macdonald (NSW) 6&5
Tonkin (Qld) def Booth (NSW) 5&4
Stanton (Qld) def by Santoso (NSW) 3&2
Weston (Qld) def Stolz (NSW) 4&3
White (Qld) sq Scheetz (NSW)
Wall (Qld) def by Kato (NSW) 2&1
Congratulations to the NSW team of;
- 12 Years – Josh Armstrong & Doey Choi
- 13 Years – Tony Jung & Celina Yuan
- 14 Years – Kevin Yuan & Jess Lasky
- 15 Years – Grant Booth & Tess McDonald
- 16 Years – Zac Stolz & Cathleen Santoso
- 17 Years – Ricky Kato (c) & Michaela Scheetz
