Old foes New South Wales and Victoria will face off in the final of the women’s Interstate Series in Perth.
After a morning that began with many permutations, unbeaten Victoria’s win over hosts Western Australia at Royal Fremantle meant the winner of New South Wales and Queensland would advance to the afternoon’s final.
And despite a gallant fight for much of a tense match, the young Blues prevailed 4-1 to set up what promises to be a classic finale against their most traditional rival.
Western Australia’s brave bid to claim a surprise place in the final ended with a 3-2 loss to Victoria.
The youthful hosts had defied expectation just to be in the shake-up – highlighted by a rousing win over defending champion Queensland on the opening day – and again showed their promise as they pushed the leaders all morning.
Abbie Teasdale, 14, has been the breakthrough player in the West Aussie team and she again chalked up a win, edging Kono Matsumoto 1-up, while Kathryn Norris won the headline contest against Gabi Ruffels 3&2.
But the Vics had control elsewhere with Montana Strauss seeing off a late Kirsten Rudgeley fightback – including eagle at the seventh – in a rematch of this year’s WA Amateur Championships semi-final.
Stephanie Bunque also led all day to record a 5&4 success over Maddison Hinson-Tolchard.
The key point came in the lead match, however, where Linley Ooi recovered from 2-down with three holes to play to win over Alysha Ahnantakrishnan and ensure a perfect record for Victoria during the round-robin stage.
NSW was up big early in the first three matches on course with Amy Chu, Steph Kyriacou and Doey Choi all establishing comfortable leads through the front nine.
Chu pushed on to beat Sarah Wilson 5&4 in the No.5 slot, while Choi prevailed 2&1 over Isabelle Taylor in the No.3 match.
But Lisa Edgar wouldn’t go quietly for Queensland and came back from 5-down after 12 holes and from dormie 4-down all the way to the final green with an impressive run featuring a spectacular birdie from across the water on the tight 15th hole.
And right up to her last shot, a bunker blast on the 18th that came up 4cm short of being holed for birdie, Edgar pushed Kyriacou to a 2-up victory at No.4.
Hannah Park then ground down Queensland skipper Gennai Goodwin after a see-sawing No.1 clash, her 2&1 win coming with a par on the 17th hole.
With their title defence officially over, Dee Dee Russell gave the Queenslanders something to cheer with a quality 1-up win over Grace Kim in the No.2 encounter.
In the remaining match, South Australia flexed its muscle over winless Tasmania with a 4.5-0.5 victory ensuring the SA women a fifth-placed finish, half a point behind Queensland.