World champ wary of Tassie in sides battle
Karen Murphy has an eye on her opposition at the Super 6 starting today in Burnie, Tasmania Australia’s premier women’s bowler, Karen Murphy, says Tasmania is the most likely state to bring a close to New South Wales’ dominance of the female Sides championship, as Jordan Abell reports for the Burnie Advocate.
Murphy and her side are gunning for an unprecedented third straight title this coming week at South Burnie after victories in 2012 and last year.
And while one would assume NSW is most wary of the larger populated states such as Queensland or Victoria taking their crown, it’s the female contingent of the Apple Isle that has caught Murphy’s attention.
“To be honest, I think Tassie will be probably one of our toughest ones,” Murphy, 39, said.
“They’re always a really hard team to beat, the Tassie girls, and when you factor in a home crowd and home greens, they’ll grow an extra leg for sure.
“But every state is hard, it just really comes down to the day and how you play.
“If our team all plays to its potential, we should be OK.”
Murphy, a current triple world champion, said maintaining her motivation and enthusiasm was key to her success on the greens.
Since debuting for Australia in 1997, she has made 475 international appearances for her country and claimed a staggering 11 gold medals on the world stage.
“I’m continually raising my bar and challenging myself on and off the green,” Murphy said.
“There’s always something being added to my bucket list that I want to tick.
“That’s how I maintain my enthusiasm, and certainly a hattrick of Sides championships is certainly something I want to tick off this year.”
Murphy begins her campaign today when she teams up with Kay Moran in the women’s pairs format.
Action gets under way this morning from 9am with Victoria and Western Australia clashing in the men’s and women’s singles, pairs and triples matches. Tasmania takes on New South Wales from noon.
Finals of the Super 6 competition will be staged tomorrow, with the Sides championships beginning on Monday.
Entry to the Sides championship is free over the four days of competition.
