Women’s singles competition heats up
The women’s singles competition is getting to the pointy end with 16 quality players still in the hunt for the $13,000 first prize The coveted women’s singles competition is shaping up to be an epic race to the finals with a star studded field assembled for tomorrows round of 16 matches at Paradise Point.
Australian Jackaroo Kristina Krstic started her day with an impressive victory over Tasmanian Bowler of the Year Kim Saunders 21-11 and then just as impressively knocked out Commonwealth Games gold medallist Azlina Arshad of Malaysia 21-16.
Krstic then came up against Bowls Australia Board Member Louise Witton and once again produced the goods in front of a bustling crowd at Broadbeach Bowls Club to set up a round of 16 blockbuster with another Malaysian Commonwealth Games gold medallist.
Malaysian great Siti Zalina Ahmad, the 2007 Australian Open Singles Champion, advanced with a strong victory over Broadbeach local Chloe Stewart in a quality match under lights at Broadbeach.
Australia’s number one ranked bowler Natasha Scott enjoyed an unscathed day at Broadbeach; however it wasn’t without a stern test from Hong Kong China’s Camilla Cheung who forced the World Champion to save the match with her final bowl.
In the second match of the day Cheung and Scott went shot for shot until the veteran Hong Kong Representative surged ahead 16-10; Scott fought back by sitting a bowl out for a full count of four and then with scores locked at 20 apiece, Scott drew the shot with her final bowl to save the game.
Natasha Scott will now meet Victorian Gayle Edwards who defeated last years fours finalist Sue Aumann, the last of the Northern Territorians in singles competition.
It was a sour day for our former Australian Open Singles Champions with Lisa Phillips bowing out to Gayle Edwards, 2015 Champion Ellen Ryan was defeated by Malaysian Zuraini Khalid and 2014 Champion Anne Johns went down to former Australian Representative Maria Rigby.
Another former Australian Open Singles Champion is still in the hunt for second coveted singles title; Club Helensvale’s Lynsey Clarke had a flawless day on her home greens topped off by a 21-16 victory over St John’s Park’s Sharyn Renshaw.
The list of internationals to fall today was extensive; Nur Fidrah Noh did plenty of damage early knocking out World Pairs Champion Rebecca Van Asch however she was defeated in the round of 64 to Queensland State Champion of Champion Singles winner Debbie Logan.
Canada’s Kelly McKerihen defeated Commonwealth Games Pairs gold medallist Colleen Piketh (South Africa) but her run came to an end when she met fellow international Noorazlinda Zakaria of Malaysia.
Former Australian representative Beth Quinlan got the better of Malaysia’s Auni Fathiah Kamis 21-17 in a quality encounter at Paradise Point and will now meet Queensland skip Julie Keegan.
All the round of 16 matches will take place at Paradise Point with women’s matches scheduled to commence at 4:00pm; however please be aware that where possible matches will be brought forward.
