North quest fires up Flames
New South Welshman Alex Edge will carry a narrow lead into the second round of the Tasmanian Open after getting off to a strong start at Launceston Golf Club on Friday.
Edge carded five birdies and one bogey in his four-under 68, one shot ahead of Tasmanian hope Scott Priest.
Queensland’s Tim Hart and Victorian Kyle Michel are a stroke further back at twounder.
In the women’s event South Australian Matilda Miels (oneunder) was the only player to shoot under par.
Her round included six birdies and five bogeys and was enough for a two-shot lead over NSW’s Rebecca Zhao, with Launceston local Jorjah Bailey (three-over) the best of the Tasmanians in outright third.
They’re about to negotiate the Tasmanian Netball League’s longest road trip, but Karana coach Renee Godfrey is confident their quest to keep bridging the gap between them and the top sides is on the right path.
Karana travels to Ulverstone to take on Devon on Saturday in what is the first half of a round 5 double duty for the side.
Karana’s clash against Devon will be exclusively live streamed on KommunityTV and the Hobart Mercury.
Young defender Mackenzie Banks has made a strong fist of her return to the netball court this season after playing in the Tasmanian Devils ranks in the Coates Talent League last season.
Banks, the younger sister of Richmond AFL midfielder Sam Banks, will be a key addition for the Flames in their rise up the TNL ranks.
Experienced shooter Kate Tomkinson is also expected to be available for the rest of the season after playing a few games for the side last year when she returned from the mainland.
“We’re focused on trying to close the gap. If we can get closer to those top three or four teams, make them work hard in any contest and match them for longer, that shows we’re ticking off the goals we’re trying to achieve,” Godfrey said.
“We’ve had a pretty good pre season this year, the girls are fitter and stronger compared to the last few years which is good to see. We’ll just focus on what we need to do and not worry about what they’re doing.
“For us it’s about maintaining our intensity. Most of our girls are 22 or under so there’s still a lot of learning to do, but I think they’ve surprised themselves with how they’ve managed to improve so much the last couple of years.”
Godfrey said the trip to the northwest would be a first in many respects for the team.
“Normally in Ulverstone you stay overnight for a double header, but this will be the first up and back from Ulverstone in the same day,” she said. “But the players are all adults and they’ll focus on what they need to do.”
The match is vital for both sides as they fight for a top four spot, with Karana and Devon starting their campaigns with 1-2 and 1-3 records respectively. Both teams have accounted for the winless South East Suns.
The weekend’s other fixtures sees Cripps Waratah host Kingston at Hobart Netball and Sports Centre on Friday night.