The Kookaburras worked hard early yesterday for their 53-47 win against the Magpies at Wodonga Leisure Centre before cruising to victory against Koru 97-35 in the afternoon.

The Country Cup contenders were pushed hard early against the South Australian team but responded when it mattered, holding the lead for most of the game.

Point guard Kate Hewett’s height and physical presence was the key for the winners, the Illawarra-based player sinking several important free throws when the match was up for grabs in the second half.

Kookaburras coach Marina Evans said she was proud of the way her team had overcome different challenges throughout the game.

“We had a few players in early foul trouble but we came through,” Evans said,

We persisted and the players stuck to what they were asked to do.

“I think we’ll improve as the week goes on.

“Our defensive intensity was good which made offence a lot easier.”

The Kookaburras will need every bit of their defensive pressure tomorrow in their heavyweight clash against Victorian Bushrangers.

Hewett aside, Evans was also impressed with the performances of forwards Georgia Ohrdorf and Jessi Reeves.

“Those players were steady all game and helped get us over the line,” Evans said.

NSW Waratahs stormed to their first win of the tournament yesterday morning, defeating New Zealand Kea 76-17.

Waratahs coach Cheryl Lowe said her team’s tardy start was probably the result of the match starting so early.

“It started out a bit tight — it was a 9am game and we were up a few hours earlier for photos so we got off to a slow start,” Lowe said.

“But towards the end of the first quarter, we started to get moving and score off fast breaks.

“I was pretty happy in the end. We got through a lot of what we wanted to achieve with things like plays, finishing off and we kept our hands out on defence which is something we’ve been working on.”