The premier past player event is the Masters Weekend and this year teams from all six Major Associations were in Queenstown for the first time in three years.

The annual pilgrimage began when Queenstown airport became abuzz with players arriving on Friday morning. Those arriving settled into two groups for the afternoon’s activities – Bannockburn was
the location of choice for those on the wine trail and Jacks Point again played host to the 28 participating in the annual masters Golf Tournament. After a day of slices and spittoons, putts and platt ers the day concluded at the hotel and the official Masters Weekend cocktail function.

The stage was set for the tournament to begin although the autumnal weather did not lay favour with the first round on Saturday morning cancelled due to heavy overnight rain. The afternoon matches were able to proceed when Central Districts’ quest for an historical three-peat was thwarted by a resurgent Canterbury side. Otago and Auckland were the other victors in the afternoon round which left Otago atop Pool A and traditional rivals Auckland and Canterbury vying for top spot in Pool B – with the top placed side from each pool to contest the Sunday afternoon final.

The Auckland versus Canterbury match was a cliff-hanger throughout before the super city dwellers inched past the Cantab’s total with two deliveries to spare. Otago had little trouble getting past Northern Districts and were through to the final on home soil.

Auckland won the toss and elected to bat in the final but they were on the back foot as they lost the early wickets of Richard Jones and Wayne Enoka. Player of the tournament Guy Coleman combined with Craig Pryor in a partnership that changed the course of the match, and it was Pryor who was particularly dominant taking 19 from his final over before retiring with his score on 50. Martyn Pringle hit out freely at the end of the innings as Auckland posted a weekend high score of 165 for 6.

The adrenalin was still running high as Pryor opened the bowling and proceeded to rip through the Otago top order with three quick wickets. With the trio of Karl O’Dowda, Shane Robinson and Simon Roberts back in the shed the task looked ominous for the southerners and they fought hard to stay with the required run rate but it proved a challenge too far.

Pryor’s dominance in the final saw him recognised as the Fujitsu Heat Pumps MVP for the tournament with 59.20 points, and the satisfaction of knowing he provided a valued piece of silverware for Auckland Cricket’s trophy cabinet.

The weekend would not be as successful, or in fact possible, without the support of the Grassroots Trust and Infinity Trust. The NZCPA would also like to acknowledge the support of the Major Associations for supporting their Masters team.

(article courtesy of NZCPA Outright newsletter)