The ultimate revenge for Keegan and Ryan
Ellen Ryan and Julie Keegan have written the wrongs of last year, claiming the 2017 Australian Open Women’s Pairs title over Defending Champions Anne Johns and Rebecca Van Asch In a repeat of last year’s Australian Open Women’s Pairs final we were expecting a close encounter again this year; however Ellen Ryan and Julie Keegan had revenge in sight and were ruthless in their campaign against Defending Champions Anne Johns and Bec Van Asch.
Ryan and Keegan came out of the blocks the fastest, posting an almost unassailable lead at the mid-way point of the match.
A combination of Ellen Ryan setting the pace early in the ends with quality leading, backed up with Julie Keegan’s conversions which have been working a treat for her this Australian Open, the pair were well on their way to reversing their fortunes of last year and pocketing the $10,000 first prize.
Johns and Van Asch were not done with just yet, getting back to within 10 shots and starting to apply more pressure to Keegan; however the former Australian representative and World Fours Champion was up to the task keeping one hand firmly on the trophy.
Eventually, despite all efforts to score a few multiple counts, Johns and Van Asch were forced to concede after the 17th end, with a score of 17-8.
What an Australian Open Ellen Ryan has had, claiming the Player of the Tournament courtesy of her singles and pairs victory along with a runner-up performance in the women’s fours.
Today’s victory capped off an amazing 14 days for the 20 year old who will not only walk away very pleased with her performance and that of her team mates, but also leaves the Gold Coast $21,000 richer and an even stronger possibility of representing Australia back here at Broadbeach for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
In fact all that stopped Ellen Ryan claiming the unprecedented triple was an extra end defeat in last night’s epic women’s fours final against Tiffany Brodie, Amelia Bruggy, Georgia White and Chloe Stewart.
All of the women’s finals were broadcast, the singles and pairs were LIVE on Fox Sports 505 but will also be replayed on SBS’s The Bowls Show over the next 8 weeks.
The women’s fours final is archived on the Bowls Australia Facebook page and can be viewed by clicking this link.
Caption- Julie Keegan and Ellen Ryan have gone one step further than last year, claiming the 2017 Australian Open Women’s Pairs.
