Former champion eyes more Australian Open glory
Australian Jackaroo Ellen Ryan has booked a berth in tomorrow’s women’s singles final against in form Gold Coaster Georgia White The first set of Australian Open finals to be broadcast LIVE on Fox Sports 505 have been decided today at Club Helensvale in front of a packed house.
A mouth-watering Women’s Singles encounter between some of the tournaments most in form players, the 2015 Australian Open Singles Champion Ellen Ryan and Club Helensvale’s Georgia White was pencilled in.
Georgia White was the first to book a finals berth with a 21-15 victory over Far North Queensland’s Sue Brady; Ryan overcome South African representative Elma Davis 21-11 in their semi-final encounter.
Both Ryan and White’s red hot Australian Open form has translated into success in the team events as well with the pair set to square off in the women’s fours final tomorrow afternoon.
The women’s fours semi-finals at Club Helensvale were quite contrasting with Karen Murphy’s side of Julie Keegan, Kay Moran and Ellen Ryan leading from start to finish over Coolum Beach’s Louise Witton, Marilyn Clayton, Annie McGill and Liza Burgess; eventually claiming the match 16-12.
In the other semi-final, the highly fancied Defending Champions were made to work harder for their victory trailing their New South Wales opponents all match.
A pressure bowl from skip Bronwyn McPherson on the second last end secured them a one shot advantage playing the final end; however the youngsters were up to the challenge with Brodie, Bruggy, White and Stewart picking up a count to book back-to-back finals.
The women’s pairs is down to the last four with a potential repeat of the 2016 final looming.
Defending Champions Anne Johns and Bec Van Asch will meet Tiffany Brodie and Chloe Stewart, whilst last year’s runner-up’s Ellen Ryan and Julie Keegan will face off with Australia’s number one and two ranked female bowlers Carla Krizanic and Natasha Scott.
Ellen Ryan and Julie Keegan were too good for Australian Jackaroos Kelsey Cottrell and Lynsey Clarke; Anne Johns and Bec Van Asch dominated their quarter-final against the South African pairing of Neal and Kruger winning 23-5; Tiffany Brodie and Chloe Stewart defeated Malaysians Khalid and Ismail 21-8 and in the closest of the matches this morning, Krizanic and Scott defeated Delves and Hayman 14-11.
Ellen Ryan is in the running for Bowler of the Tournament which comes with a bonus $1500; adding that to the $9000 she is already guaranteed which could end up being as high as $21,000 if she wins all three events.
The 20 year old from Goulburn will have a busy schedule tomorrow with the Women’s Singles Final at 11am, followed by her pairs semi-final at 2:30pm and the women’s fours final scheduled for 4:00pm (likely to be delayed until the pairs semi-final concludes).
Women’s Broadcast Schedule-
Women’s Singles Final- LIVE on Fox Sports 505 at 11:00am tomorrow June 22
Women’s Pairs Final- LIVE on Fox Sports 505 at 11:00am Friday June 23
Women’s Fours Final- Professionally Live Streamed (through BA Facebook page) approximately 4:00pm Thursday June 22
