2015 Victorian Open – day 1 women’s
Sometimes you can only tell the quality of something by what’s left out.
And so it was with the last 16 of the 2015 Victorian Open women’s singles – with the round of 32 battle between State players Lisa Phillips (Coatesville) and Tiffany Brodie (Fitzroy Victoria) at Shepparton Park Bowling Club worthy of a final.
In the end, Phillips won 21-16 to cap off a big fortnight, in which she was returned to the state fold for next month’s Test series against Tasmania.
Phillips was supreme late in an epic contest to see off 17-year-old Brodie, who was an Australian Open quarter-finalist earlier this year.
Trailing 20-16, Brodie was unable to wrestle back control with the last shot of a great match – perhaps the highlight of a high-quality day one of men’s and women’s singles played across 17 venues in the Greater Shepparton area.
Defending champion Carla Odgers (Sunbury) booked her place in the last 16, as did Australian Jackaroo Chloe Stewart (Kyneton).
Local hope Di Hands (Shepparton Park) is also into the business end of the tournament, and faces rising under 18 talent Tayla Morison (Melbourne) in one of the best match-ups of the last 16.
After winning through her sectionals at Kyabram BC, Morison beat Nicole O’Connor (Richmond Union) and Susan Howes (Bendigo East) to set up a tricky round of 16 clash with the experienced and in-form Hands.
Last season’s top 10 ranked Australian bowler Gayle Edwards (Lalor) bowed out in the first knockout phase. But daughter Brooke is into the last 16, and last year’s runner-up faces Moama’s Sandra Connolly in Wednesday’s finals at Shepparton Park.
Click here for the women’s knockout results portal
Click here for all results
