Aussies Claim 2012 Trans Tasman Series

Australia has claimed the 2012 Trans Tasman series after a hard fought battle against neighbouring rivals, New Zealand.The aussies opened their card on day 1 with an impressive 8-4 win over NZ in the Mixed Open division, before the kiwis struck back in the Womens Open to clench a tight 4-3 victory over the competition favourites. The Australian Mens Open ensured the day belonged to the green & gold though, sneaking home in the final minute 5-4 to give the hosts a 2-1 lead in the 9 game series.Day 2 saw the aussies take a 5-2 lead at half-time in the opening Mixed Open clash, only for the Kiwis to take the lead (for the first time since early in the first half) when it mattered most - in the final minutes of the match - and claim a 10-9 win to keep the series alive. After NZ shocked the hosts in game one of the Womens Open, it was up to the World Champions to step up to the challenge and try and tie the series on day 2. The result was another nail-biting match between the two teams, with Australia winning 4-3 in a high quality matchup. After winning the first game in the dying seconds on Thursday, Australia put in an impressive attacking array in the second half of Friday's Mens Open match to take the win 8-5, and the series 2-0 with one game to play. With the kiwis stranglehold on the Mixed division loosening, Australia took out the third game, and the series, of the Mixed Open division with a 10-8 win on day 3; Kylie Hilder, Michael Law & Trent Touma all bagging doubles for the victors.

With history on the line, the Australian Women's Open were able to come back from their opening game loss to take the Womens Open division in the final encounter 7-3; Australia's Jess McCall stamping the emphatic victory with a length of the field intercept in the dying stages.

The final clash of the Mens Open was all Australia in the opening stanza, with the aussies taking a commanding 6-2 lead at the break; Robert Nakhla, Johnathon Palau and Matt Prowse all claimed doubles, whilst NZ's Dean Williams snuck in on the halftime siren to give the kiwis a much needed confidence boost. When Scott Buckley opened the card for the aussies in the second half, and Stuart Brierty scored (despite the aussies being a player short), the writing was well & truly on the wall that the series belonged to the men in the green & gold. Prowse capped a remarkable match with no less than 4 touchdowns for the victors in their 11-3 win, and gave the hosts a 3-0 whitewash to close out the 2012 Trans Tasman series.

2012 TRANS TASMAN RESULTSWOMENS OPENNew Zealand (4) def Australia (3)Australia (4) def New Zealand (3)Australia (7) def New Zealand (3)Series win to Australia 2-1MIXED OPENAustralia (8) def New Zealand (4)New Zealand (10) def Australia (9)Australia (10) def New Zealand (8)Series win to Australia 2-1MENS OPENAustralia (5) def New Zealand (4)Australia (8) def New Zealand (5)Australia (11) def New Zealand (3)Series win to Australia 3-0

CONGRATULATIONS to all the players, coaches, and of course the referees!!