Otago beat Auckland with three wins and a half on the Cambridge course in Waikato yesterday to take the lead in Pool B of the junior interprovincial teams tournament.
The Otago team is now just two wins away from making the final of the top junior event, but can not afford to relax against the local Waikato team this morning and Manawatu-Whanganui this afternoon.
Once again Otago started strongly, with all six players in the lead at the turn.
Auckland fought back, reversing the score against Callum White (No5) and Parker Aluesi (No4) to post wins at the death.
But the Judkins brothers led the way for Otago, with younger brother Liam beating Joshua Bai on the 16th green, while Callum Judkins romped home with a decisive 7 and 6 win over Steven Oh.
At No2, Hayden Robertson fought back from a deficit of two to snatch the valuable half with Auckland No2 Tommy Liu.
Robertson showed maturity, as he was two down with two holes to play, but made two birdies to help Otago get home.
Otago's top player Jack Turner remains unbeaten, with two wins and a half after edging in front of Connor Barker on the final hole.
Bay of Plenty leads Pool A, with six points and 11.5 games, while Wellington, Canterbury and Hawke's Bay trail with two points each.
The upset of the day was Wellington winning five of its six games against defending champion Canterbury.
