NEWCASTLE’S Joshuaa Robards fired the equal best round of the day to keep his hopes alive at the midpoint of the Jack Newton International Junior Classic at Cyrpess Lakes.
The 16-year-old fired a three-under 69 to move to five over and a tie for 18th. His card featured four birdies and was a marked improvement on his opening 80.
NSW junior team member Harrison Crowe (St Michaels) and The Australian’s Tom Heaton also shot 69s to move to fifth and third respectively.
Overnight leader Hayden Hopewell added an 72 to his opening 68 to hold a one-stroke advantage from Samuel Slater (68,73).
Camran Walton (Kurri Kurri) struggled, adding an 81 to his 73 on day one.
West Australian Kathryn Norris (71,69) leads the girls championship at four under. Stephanie Kyriacou (St Michaels) is a stroke back.
The second round was highlighted by two hole in ones at separate courses.
Canadian Kaiden Nicholson (79,74) dropped an ace at the par-three fifth at Cyrpess Lakes.
Queenslander Emily Martin drained her tee shot at the par-three 12th at Cessnock and is in fifth place at 18-over in the girls sub junior division.
The best Hunter under-14 girl is Singleton’s Jamine Vesper (89,86) in 18th.
In the boys under-14s, Toronto’s Jacob Dundas added a 75 to his opening round 80 to move to sixth spot at 11 over.
Queenslander Yevin Samararatne (73,72) leads at one over.
The Hunter’s Jake Riley (73,84) is 13th while Brij Ingrey (77,83) and Harry Atkinson (77,83) are also in the top 20.
