New South Wales rose to the occasion on Tuesday at the 2018 Interstate Series, toppling Queensland in the afternoon to finish as the only undefeated state after one day’s play.
After sweeping Tasmania in the morning’s opening round, the Blues claimed a 3.5 to 1.5 victory over their northern rivals after lunch.
The lower order of Kelsey Bennett, Darcy Habgood and Amy Chu all rattled off wins, with number ones Doey Choi and Dee Dee Russell sharing the points late in the day.
Cassie Porter’s win over young gun Steph Kyriacou was the Maroons lone victory in the afternoon’s match up.
In the other contests, Western Australia pipped Victoria 3-2 and South Australia eclipsed Tasmania by the same score line.
Four states finished the opening day with one win and one loss from their opening two contests, with South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia also level in the matches tally with 5-5 records.
Queensland sits fifth on the standings but is still well and truly in the hunt, while a gallant Tasmania fought hard on Tuesday afternoon but ends the day on the bottom of the pile.
The New South Welshwomen have the perfect opportunity to put one foot in Thursday’s final tomorrow, with contests scheduled against Western Australia in the morning and last year’s final opponents Victoria in the afternoon.