AUSTRALIA’S No.1 ranked lady Natasha Scott reaffirmed her status as one of the sport’s premier performers today when she powered to victory in the women’s singles final at the Australian Open Championships.
Presented at the magnificent Broadbeach Bowls Club on Queensland’s Gold Coast, the Australian Open boasts a $250,000 purse, the world’s most lucrative prizemoney pool. Accordingly the championships attracted no fewer than 2700 entries for the six major competitions and assortment of events for Over-60, Under-18 and BWD (Bowlers With Disabilities) players.
Scott was far too accomplished for host club hero Dee Robertson, winning the main event 21-7, after both finalists gained entry into the $19,500 final with fine semi-final victories – Scott defeating Australian Jackaroo teammate Lynsey Clarke 21-17, while Robertson overwhelmed Molly Wilton from Raymond Terrace 21-6.
In the men’s pairs final young South Australian stars Nathan Pedersen and Steve Dennis defeated New South Wales counterparts Matt Miles and Chris Herden 16-13 in a tight finish; while the women’s fours final saw Victorians Chloe Stewart, Amelia Bruggy and Tiffany Brodie, along with Queenslander Georgia White outlast three other Victorians Sam Shannahan, Tayla Spence and Kylie Whitehead, plus West Australia’s Kristina Krstic 16-13 in an entertaining encounter.
Tomorrow’s remaining finals will feature the men’s singles play-off between former champions Aron Sherriff from Ettalong, NSW and Queensland ace Brett Wilkie from Helensvale.
2016 Australian Open Championship
Today’s finals:
Women’s singles: Natasha Scott (NSW) d Dee Robertson (Qld) 21-7.
Women’s fours: Tiffany Brodie, Amelia Bruggy, Georgia White, Chloe Stewart (Vic) d Kylie Whitehead, Tayla Spence, Kristina Krstic, Sam Shannahan (Vic) 16-13.
Women’s Over-60 pairs: Fay Luke, Therese Hastings (WA) d Wendy Mackie, Rene Stratford (NZ) 18-15.
Men’s pairs: Steve Dennis, Nathan Pedersen (NSW) d Matt Miles, Chris Herden (NSW) 16-13.
Men’s Over-60 pairs: Peter Belliss, Colin Lowry (NZ) d Jon Townsend, Bill Wiltshire (NSW) 18-8.
PICTURE: Australian Open women’s singles finalists Dee Robertson and Natasha Scott.
