After 3 days of close racing in Woodhill Forest, the Australian Bushrangers have pipped the New Zealand Pinestars 285-280 to take the Aspin-Key Trophy back across the Tasman.

On Day 3 at Otakanini Topu, with only the women’s elite to be decided the score stood at 257-257, but the Austarlian victory in that grade proved decisive.

Ironically, the Kiwis actually won 3 of the 4 grades, but overall it was the Australian Junior women who made the difference with a big 37 point margin over their New Zealand counterparts. New Zealand were also not helped by 3 mispunches in the first race of Sunday’s double middle distance, and an injury in M20 which result in a non-counting runner.

A full report will appear in the next HP news.

M21: NZ 79 Oz 56

W21: NZ 76 Oz 75

M20: NZ 69 Oz 61

W20: NZ 56 Oz 93

Overall: NZ 280 OZ 285