Australia’s position at the Astor Trophy in Adelaide crystalised today, even though it had the bye.
The hosts must stop a rampant Great Britain and Ireland team tomorrow in a match-up that will almost certainly determine the outcome of the Commonwealth teams competition at The Grange Golf Club.
The GB&I team dominated Canada today for a 5-2 win set up by twin 5-&-4 wins in the morning foursomes matches.
And although Naomi Ko and Grace St-Germain pulled the Canadians back into the contest in the top singles matches, later wins for Connie Jaffrey, Charlotte Thomas and Hayley Davis ended Canada’s title chances.
Those wins also gave GB&I commanding lead in the matches won category, meaning that even though Australia is unbeaten, a slip tomorrow will all but end its hopes, too.
In the day’s other contest, South African and New Zealand fought out a thrilling contest before the Kiwis’ hopes were dashed on the final hole.
South Africa’s win leaves its title hopes alive with matches against Canada tomorrow and Australia on Friday to play.
After the foursomes were split 1-1, South Africa’s top player Bertine Strauss defeated Munchin Keh 4-&-3, but the Kiwis struck back with comprehensive wins to Julianne Alvarez (5-&-3) and Chantelle Cassidy (6-&-4) to take the lead.
But Ivanna Samu kept her nose in front all day in the No.4 match and eventually took out Wenyung Keh 1-up on the 18th to square the contest.
Kiwi Alanna Campbell was 3-down through 11, but hit back with four straight wins on from holes 12-15 to take the lead against Eleonora Galletti.
But the South African stayed cool and when Campbell made bogeys on 16 and 18, the African won 1-up to seal a 4-3 overall win for her country.