Rush Face Challenging Weekend in Tasmania: Thrifty Road Game Preview

The Integra Ballarat Rush will face a test as they travel to Tasmania to face the Hobart Lady Chargers and the Launceston Tornadoes in a SEABL Round 7 doubleheader.

After struggling through injury and regaining form after a two-week break, the Rush were able to escape last weekend’s game against the Albury-Wodonga Lady Bandits with a close win. With the cobwebs hopefully brushed away, the Rush are preparing to come home with two wins against two very strong Tasmanian sides.

Abbey Wehrung has been strong for the Rush all season, but really stepped up in last week’s absence of Steph Cumming and Sophie Alexander, scoring 27 points and pulling in five rebounds to help the Rush get the win against the Lady Bandits. Support for Wehrung against Albury-Wodonga came from Nya Mason, who looks to be finding her form, scoring 18 points and grabbing seven rebounds, and also from Kasey Burton, who started her first game of the season and was able to get on the board with 15 points, shooting 90% from the free throw line (9-10). With the return of Cumming and Alexander, the Rush are taking a strong team into the doubleheader and have a good chance at success.

The test will come from Hobart, coming into the weekend after two very strong wins; the first one being a 51-point thrashing at Knox, and the second being a nail-biting two-point victory at Sandringham. They are led by captain Izzy Chilcott, Emma Langford and Kathleen Scheer, who contribute a combined 54 points and 32 rebounds per game. Limiting these players will go a long way to ensuring Ballarat’s success.

Launceston have similar firepower in Lauren Mansfield, Alex Wilson and Nadeen Payne who put up 54 points and 22 rebounds a game. The Torns lost both of their games last weekend, falling to Bendigo and Nunawading – both teams which the Rush have beaten.

The Rush have a superior record to both Hobart and Launceston, and have proven their ability with a win whilst weakened, but how seamlessly Steph Cumming and Sophie Alexander slot back into the side will affect Ballarat’s chances this weekend.

Tip-off is at 6pm in Hobart on Friday night and on Saturday against Launceston in Ulverstone.

Thank you to Thrifty Ballarat for providing all our travel needs.