Davies is chasing a second consecutive win in Australia

England's Laura Davies produced a grandstand finish to remain the outright leader at the halfway stage of the women's Australian Open in Sydney.

Davies, who shot an opening 65, carded a second-round 68 for an 11-under-par total to lead by a shot from Australian Rebecca Coakley.

Chasing a second straight win after last week's success at the ANZ Ladies' Masters, Davies enjoyed a birdie-birdie finish to her second round.

SECOND ROUND LEADERBOARD -11 L Davies (GB) -10 R Coakley (Aus) -8 K Webb (Aus), L Ochoa (Mex), B Bauer (USA) Collated scores

"I dropped a couple of shots near the start of the back nine, but the finish steadied the ship," she said.

"Overall, my game was great and it's terrific to be in the lead going into the weekend.

"It would be lovely to make it back-to-back wins down here."

Coakley, 21, showed her class with a second successive 67.

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Defending champion Karrie Webb, aiming to win the title for the third time in four years, posted a 68 to leave her three shots adrift of Davies.

She is in the group on eight under alongside Mexico's Lorena Ochoa, and American Beth Bauer.

England's Joanne Morley is a further two shots back on six under after a second successive 69.