SCORES
MEN – The Grange GC (East Course)
WOMEN – Glenelg GC
A draw with Western Australia kept New South Wales within reach of the chasing pack on Wednesday at Glenelg, but the Blues put one foot in the final in the afternoon with a thumping win over rivals Victoria.
Heading into the last day of contests, NSW remains undefeated and sits one point clear on top of the pile, now all but assured of a spot in tomorrow afternoon’s finale.
Its opponent will most likely be Queensland, who plays Victoria in the morning, or Western Australia, who tackles a winless Tasmania first up.
The Vics will need to topple the Maroons and pray for a strong showing from Tasmania if they are to set up a rematch of the nail-biting 2017 decider.
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Morning draws between hosts South Australia and Queensland, as well as WA and ladder leaders NSW, set up the crucial clash between last year’s finalists.
Vic skipper Alizza Hetherington led from the front with a 1-up win over the in-form Doey Choi, but the New South Welshwomen were far too strong across the board.
Steph Kyriacou and Amy Chu got their revenge 12 months on from the heartbreaking finish in Perth, while newcomers Kelsey Bennett (5&4) and Darcy Habgood (4&3) cleaned up in the lower order.
The scoreline wasn’t reflective of the contest between WA and SA, with sandgropers Abbie Teasdale, Maddison Hinson-Tolchard and Kirsten Rudgeley all grinding out 1-up wins.
Kathryn Norris and local Caitlin Roberts shared a point in the middle of the order, while Yeah-Jin Lee needed 17 holes to hold off Elysia Yap 2&1.
The Maroons held off a brave Tasmania, with Sarah Wilson, Cassie Porter and Dee Dee Russell all needing 16 holes to secure a point for their side.