The NSW Women’s team bounced back from their narrow loss to Victoria this morning with a 3 1/2 to 1/ 1/2 win over South Australia in the afternoon matches at Royal Hobart Golf Club.
Kelsey Bennett led the way with a dominant 7&5 win over Sophie Hilditch, while Stephanie Kyriacou grabbed her first win for the series with a 6&5 win over Amelia Whinney.
Doey Choi made it two wins from two starts with a 2&1 win over Charley Jacobs, while her Concord teammate Sophie Yip grabbed a half against Matilda Miels.
Grace Kim had no luck on day one, going down to Jin Young Yun on the last hole.
NSW will now face Queensland tomorrow morning in a must-win match after the Maroons defeated Victoria in the afternoon matches to blast the competition wide-open.
AM Wrap: Women lose to Victoria in match one
It was a fightback of sorts, but it all came to nothing for the NSW Women’s Team who have gone down three matches to two arch-rivals Victoria on the opening day of competition at the 2019 Australian Interstate Teams Championships.
Royal Hobart Golf Club turned on a beauty to greet the competitors this morning, but it meant little to the NSW Team who couldn’t overcome a slow start to proceedings.
Amy Chu, first out for NSW battle and battling a bout of jet lag, fought all the way again her opponent, Stefanie Vogel, to claim a half point early.
The usually reliable top half of the order for NSW, sadly, struggled to come to grips with a determined Victorian team.
Grace Kim, playing in the number one match, couldn’t handle a red-hot Stepahine Bunque, eventually losing 6 & 4.
Stephanie Kyriacou, despite feeling confident early in her match, could respond on the back nine, going down to Jessica Pickwick 2 & 1.
Doey Choi, however, proved what formidable competitor she is, with an impressive 5 & 4 win over Kono Matsumoto.
SALVAGE
With a win not looking likely, If NSW was to salvage anything from the result, it was going to have to come at the hands of St. Michael’s Kelsey Bennett.
The plucky 19-year-old had looked for all money done and dusted after turning for home three down, but a brace of birdies early in the back nine [pulled the match back to square.
After Bennett grabbed the 17th, she was suddenly one up, and a half did look likely for the blues.
Pressure plays games at times, and when Bennett missed a 12 footer on the last, and her opponent Alex Hilliard made a birdie, the points were in the southerners hands.
Team Captain Choi was philosophical after the result, congratulating Victoria on how well they played.
“It was very close. A couple of the girls fought back well, so we feel good about going into our next round despite this loss.
“On paper, we have a strong team, but it is about what happens on the day.
“A couple of the girls did not play good, their opponents putted great, and there’s nothing you can do about that.”
Choi anticipated some changes for the afternoon match, with Amy Chu sitting out, and Grace Kim and herself switching around in the order.
“Amy is still feeling a bit of jet lag, so Sophie (Yip) is coming in.”