N.Z. Victory In Open Forest Run

New Zealand defeated Australia, 1484-1445, in the first open competition of the current Australian orienteering tour, leading up to the Rothmans Australasian championships, in a score event at Oropi, Tauranga, yesterday.

In a generous gesture, the Margaret Australian team captain, Mr T. Andrews, of Melbourne, agreed to the competition being on the basis of an aggregate of the first six in each team, combining the men's scores with the women's.

On this basis, New Zealand gained an additional 20 points by taking into account the score of 250 points amassed by the reserve member of the New Zealand women's team, Mrs Patricia Burbidge, scored 20 points better than the New Zealand elite team reserve, B. Shuker.

Boys Win

New Zealand also won the junior boys' contest when K. Walker, N. Scott and the junior captain, B. Burwell, between them compiled 625 points against the 400 totaled by the Australian team, H. Dalheim jnr, M. Ongania and M. Turner.

Australia comfortably won the veterans' section 749-583, I. Hassell (Victoria) top scoring with 245 to beat off R. King (New Zealand), on 220.

The Australian women defeated New Zealand by one point, 556-555. Mrs Burbidge thrashed the field with her score of 250 while the New Zealand captain, Mrs Robyn Davies, finished second on 195 four points ahead of the 1972 United States Olympic skating representative, Mrs Toy Martin (Victoria), who finished over the stipulated time of 90 minutes and as a result had her score reduced by penalty points.

The Australian junior girls defeated New Zealand, 225-126, despite the fact that the New Zealand junior captain, top scored with 105 points.

The Australian Rosemary Morrow was second, with 100. Good team work by Sally Dalheim and Margaret Ophel secured a comfortable win for Australia.

Top Scorer

C. Wilmott (New South Wales) top scored on the day with 280 points to beat the world championship representative G. Moon (ACT) by ten points, with the New Zealand marathon champion, J. Robinson, third, with 255 points.

Results:
Individual elite: C. Wilmott (A), 280; G. Moon (A) 270; J. Robinson (NZ) 255; B. Walker (NZ) 250,; R. Burbridge (NZ) 250; I. Young (NZ) 249.
Veterans: I. Hassel (A), 235; R. King (NZ), 220; H. Wehner (A), 184; B. Blomstedt (A), 180; M. Scott (NZ), 160; H. Dalheim sen (A), 150.
Women: P. Burbidge (NZ), 250; R. Davies (NZ) 195; T. Martin (A), 191; A. Harris (A) 185; M. Elcombe (A), 180; M. Latham (A), 135.
Junior boys: K. Walker (NZ), 220; N. Scott (NZ), 215; B. Burwell (NZ), 190; H. Dalheim jun (A), 140; M. Ongania (A) 135; M. Turner (A), 125.
Junior girls: D. Smith (NZ), 105. R. Morrow (A), 100; S. Dalheim (A) 70; M. Ophel (A), 55; G. Spargo (NZ) 40.
Interprovincial: Australia 1445; Bay of Plenty, 1400, Pinelands, 1300; Auckland, 1224.