Perrin steps up in Northland bid

Northland could face an uphill struggle to maintain their recent form at this week's Toro Women's Interprovincial at the Mirimar Golf Course without well-performed No 1 Caroline Bon heading the team.
Bon has spearheaded the last two campaigns which saw the team make the semifinals in 2008 - their best ever finish - and finish sixth last year at the Grange in Auckland.
But the team still has plenty of experience and 20-year-old Phoebe Perrin will step up to replace Bon at No 1 after playing at No 2 for the last two seasons.
"Phoebe didn't really want to play No 1 but we talked her into it - she has to make the step up eventually and now's her chance to give it a go," Northland No 3 and team selector Samantha Dangen said.
Bon tees off in Spain later today, trying to qualify for the professional Ladies European Tour and if she earns a full playing card she will probably turn professional, leaving the promising Perrin as the top amateur in the province.
"Phoebe's certainly capable enough to play there," Dangen said.
"She shot a four-under 68 at Northern Wairoa at the [Northland] Champion of Champions earlier this month and played some brilliant golf at that tournament, so she has got the goods, it's just a matter of whether she can overcome her nerves to play like that under pressure in Wellington," she said.
Perrin broke the Dargaville golf course record with that round and Dangen, who was her playing partner on that day, was impressed, saying if she can reproduce that form during the week-long tournament starting tomorrow, then she could add to her reputation and ranking.
The other players in the five-strong team will also have to step up their game if Northland is to remain a top contender this week.
Aroha Tito will play at two, with Dangen at three and Northland masters number-one Jo Wech at four, with another familiar face returning to play at No5.
Sjanna Bonnington has made herself available for selection this season after a couple of years away from the game. "Sjanna's had a couple of years away working in Auckland and has taken a break from golf but she's back playing this year and her experience (from previous interprovincials) will come in handy," Dangen said.
The team's junior - and travelling reserve - will again be Rachael Williams, with the 16-year-old getting some game time at the Grange last year, and she is certain to feature this year.
The team has experience, but will need to have all members playing well if they want to repeat their heroics from two years ago.
"We're hopeful we'll do okay at the tournament, the girls are in good spirits and looking forward to it, so that's always a good sign," Dangan concluded.
Auckland are the defending champions and will once again be the favourites for the title. The players have a practice round today, with the tournament starting tomorrow.
1 Phoebe Perrin (Waitangi), 2 Aroha Tito (Tapora), 3 Samantha Dangen (Whangaroa), 4 Jo Wech (Waipu), 5 Sjanna Bonnington (Wellsford), Reserve: Rachael Williams (Northland).
 
FACT BOX
Northland draw at Mirimar GC Tuesday: v Taranaki (am), v Otago (pm); Wednesday: bye (am), v Manawatu-Wanganui (pm); Thursday: v Waikato (am), North Harbour (pm); Friday (am) v Tasman. Semifinals and final played on Saturday.