BEACH VOLL: Australia claimed the women's Oceania Beach Volleyball crown at Manly Beach on the weekend, with New Zealand too strong in the men's tournament. 

Mike Watson and Sam O’Dea proved much too strong for Australia’s Damien Schumann and Josh Court in tricky windy conditions at the Sydney beach. 

In the women’s final, Australia’s number one team reinforced its standing in the regional pecking order with a straight sets win over Vanuatu in the gold medal playoff. 

Louise Bawden and Taliqua Clancy beat Miller Papa and Linline Matauata 21-18, 21-15 to add to the Asian Championship title they won earlier this year. 

Bawden and Clancy were only confirmed as starters on Wednesday last week. 

“Even though it was last moment, we are really proud to have been Asian Champions and now to become Oceania Champions, we’re really happy with that," Clancy said. 

“We’re really happy to keep the title in Australia. It’s been a good day for our team.” 

In the men’s final, Australians Court and Schumann were unable to maintain the strong form they had shown in recent International events. 

The New Zealanders looked more comfortable in the tricky conditions, with O’Dea proving almost impassable at the net. 

Louise Bawden competed with Adelaide’s Becchara Palmer at the London 2012 Olympics, but the pair have since joined new partners. 

Papa and Matauata’s defeat brings to an end a very successful finish to 2014, which has included International titles in Hong Kong and Thailand. 

Manly locals and World U23 champions, Nikki Laird and Mariafe Artacho del Solar, finished with the bronze in the women’s, while WA combination Casey Grice and Cole Durant won bronze in the men’s. 

Ross Solly for Volleyball Australia