The 203-centimetre tall Cambage was always going to be a stumbling block for the Ballarat Community Health Lady Miners.

The WNBL star was that and more with 24 points in just three quarters.

Cambage did not re-appear after leaving the court in tears in the dying seconds of the third term after a knock to her back.

But the damage was done.

Despite their best efforts, there was nothing the Lady Miners could do to stop her in full flight.

Ballarat captain Karen Ashby and new import Rachel Jarry shared the task of going head-to-head with Cambage, but the Tornadoes' boom recruit was too powerful once under the basket.

And when it was not Cambage, the likes of guards Sharin Milner and Desi Glaubitz kept getting under Ballarat's guard.

The Tornadoes blew away the Lady Miners in the opening minutes.

With Cambage standing head and shoulders above everyone else on the court, Launceston led by double figures before Ballarat had had a chance to draw breath. The lead got out to as many as 18 points before the first break.

It was to be a deficit the Lady Miners could never make up.

Although soundly beaten, Ballarat can take plenty out of the game - especially the return of Ashby and debut of Jarry.

It was as if Ashby had never been away.

In her first game in two seasons, Ashby starred with 25 points, nine rebounds, five assists and four blocks.

Jarry will be better for the run with her new teammates, growing in confidence and getting more aggressive offensively as the game wore on.

Jarry shot 23 points and had 12 rebounds.

Coach Kym Cassells described Ashby and Jarry as "outstanding".

She was impressed by the way her players stuck to the task.

"We were confident we could get back into it, but it was too much."

While disappointed to lose, Cassells said the Lady Miners were a lot further advanced than they had been at the start of the past two seasons.