The Australian rep’s Cabramatta side was touted as one of the No.1 flag favourites heading into the play-offs and has lived up to that expectation, taking the lead into the final day’s play at West Tamworth.

They endured mixed fortunes yesterday, going down to Neutral Bay 49-34 in the morning before registering a 58-26 win over Kurri Kurri.

“We lost overall but we managed to win one rink out of two, which was handy for us,” Murphy said after the morning’s loss.

“We lead by half a point overall.”

That was five-and-a-half by the afternoon after Neutral Bay lost to Wiseman’s Ferry, leaving the two on six wins.

There has been plenty of local interest in Cabramatta’s progress too, with the side containing junior world champion Melanie Macaulay.

Macaulay was yesterday playing in the same four as Murphy, who is visiting Tamworth for the first time.

“I was really looking forward to coming up and it’s been great,” she said.

A three-time Commonwealth Games representative after making her Australian debut in 1997, Murphy has previously tasted pennants

success.

“I’ve been lucky enough to win it twice with St John’s Park,” she said.

“This is my first year with Cabramatta but it’s been great.”

The St John’s victories came in consecutive years back in 2005.

Murphy has also of late enjoyed some international success, with the Australian four winning the World Championships.

“That was my first world title so it was great,” Murphy said.

She is currently already in training with the Australian team for the next Commonwealth Games and is off to Malaysia soon for a training camp.