Top-seeded New Zealanders Anna Scarlett and Susan Blundell finished strongly under pressure to win the first leg of the national beach volleyball tour in Christchurch Wednesday.
Scarlett and Blundell showed the benefit of their second season playing together, winning key final points in each set to beat the international pairing of Audra Jeffers (United States) and Alex Raum (Germany) 21-16 21-18 in today's final.
Strong spiking from both Blundell and Scarlett proved decisive, while powerful and accurate serving also features. Blundell had a strong game at the net, and Scarlett was her typically tenacious self in back court.
It was a golden day for Tauranga's O'Dea family in the men's section, with the three brothers -- Edwin, Sam and Ben -- all making the semi-finals.
Ben, 17, sprung the surprise of the tournament, combining with 20-year-old Michael Watson to beat top seeds Greg Lindsay-Brown and Sam O'Dea 21-17 21-17 in their semi-final.
His oldest brother, Edwin, teamed with experienced front-court player Brendon Heath to beat Australians Aaron Crook and Adam Blackburn 18-21 21-15 15-13 in the other semi-final.
Edwin O'Dea and Heath then took out the final over Watson and Ben O'Dea 21-19 21-17.
NZPA