Australia and New Zealand eased past their opponents in Stage 2 of the Oceania Mixed Team Championships at the X-TRM North Harbour Centre in Auckland, with 5-0 wins over Tahiti and New Caledonia today.

Hosts New Zealand turned in a disciplined performance against a rapidly improved New Caledonia.

Susannah Leydon-Davis and Niccolo Tagle – the latter back from a knee injury – completed their Mixed Doubles victory over Thomas Lahaut and Cecilia Moussy 21-11 21-13 to kick-start New Zealand’s campaign.

Dylan Soedjasa downed Loic Mennesson in Men’s Singles 21-14 21-5 and Deborah Yin (featured image) – making the step up from junior ranks – was too good for Dgenyva Matauli, winning both games 21-6.

Lahaut and Mennesson gave a competitive showing pitted against Kevin James Dennerly-Minturn and Oliver Leydon-Davis in the Men’s Doubles but after making initial inroads in each game eventually lost 21-7 21-12.

There was a familiar pattern to the Women’s Doubles with Michelle Chan-Ky and Danielle Tahuri overcoming resistance from Soizick Ho-Yagues and Johanna Kou, 21-13 21-7.

New Zealand face Tahiti tomorrow morning before the trans-Tasman clash with arch-rivals Australia. New Zealand coach Peter Jensen insists his team is not getting ahead of itself.

“We’re going to go out tomorrow and have two matches with the first one maybe easier than the second one and that’s the big battle for us. We have to build up carefully towards that tie with Australia tomorrow afternoon,” Jensen said.

Australia too decimated Tahiti 5-0 without dropping a game.

Earlier in the day, New Caledonia beat Tonga 4-1 and Tahiti beat Guam 5-0 to progress to Stage 2.

Updates from: www.oceaniabadminton.org

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