Ben Rush’s charges will first battle Sydney University Sparks on Friday night before crossing the Victorian border on Saturday to challenge Frankston Lady Blues, a side they defeated by a solitary point in double overtime at Elphin Stadium on March 31. 

The Torns head into their first road trip with a 3-1 win-loss record having only narrowly lost to Hobart in round 1 to leave them equal second on the Southern conference ladder.

Captain Lauren Mansfield said on Wednesday confidence is high among the playing group having dismantled Sandringham by 24 point last week.

“Lauren Nicholson did a terrific job slowing talented scoring wing Jasmine Gill, with some good assistance from Ali Partridge who came back into the team this week,” Mansfield said.

“Tayla Roberts was again very strong under the basket at both ends.

“We stayed with it defensively, stayed with our pressure, rebounded well… one of the key things we took out of that game was to have patience with our offence.”

Both Frankston and Sydney – a WNBL Sydney Flames development team – have won and lost two matches.

Mansfield said the weekend will be a challenging one but none of her teammates were shying away from the task.

The Lady Blues’ wins have come since round 2, and Mansfield is predicting another close encounter.

“Carley Mijovic seems to be the barometer for their team and is in the top five in points (24.3 per game) and rebounds (10.5 per game) for the league,” she said.

“If we can limit her influence on the scoreboard it will go a long way to securing the victory.

“Against Sydney, I think our advantage might be inside so we will look to really pound into Tay (Roberts) and let her go to work.

“Defensively containment is going to be a big thing for us.”

Mansfield said the dangerous Launceston forward contingent of herself, Roberts and Nicholson were still adapting to each other’s game play.

She said the squad was healthy and that it was unlikely any changes would be made to the squad.