2015 Victorian Open – day 5 women’s
Defending Victorian Open champion Carla Odgers has led a litany of stars through to the quarter-finals of what is shaping as a mouth-watering battle for the women’s singles crown.
In a fight worthy of inclusion on Ronda Rousey’s UFC undercard, Odgers overcame another previous Vic Open champion, Rebecca McMahon, 19-17 in a nerve-jangling slugfest.
Odgers (Sunbury) and McMahon (City Bowls Club Colac) were first on, last off, the green as the other round of 16 matches went on around them at Shepparton Park’s undercover facility.
But eventually the 2012 and 2014 singles champion prevailed to set up a quarter-final showdown with Anne Miles (Yarrawonga), who overcame Karen Morgan (Lilydale).
Resurgent bowler Lisa Phillips booked a quarter-final berth in the singles as she remains front-runner for the Vic Medal for the tournament’s best-performed bowler across all disciplines.
Phillips has been in red-hot form since day one, and there was little sign of that form slipping in her 21-8 win over Sara Rodger (St Kilda).
Phillips, Melissa Larcombe (Broadbeach) and Hannah Boulton-Burns (Coatesville BC) bowed out in the women’s triples semi-finals earlier on Wednesday, but she’ll still earn Vic Medal points for her last four finish.
But waiting for her in the last eight is Australian representative Chloe Stewart in the pick of Thursday’s quarter-finals.
With Stewart also involved in a couple of finals, the Vic Medal ramifications could be high for winner and loser.
Stewart has started hitting her stride in the the past two days, and was impressive in escorting Robyn Thomassen (Grangeburn) to the exit door 21-9 to book a last eight spot.
In a big day for Sunbury, Odgers’ teammate Elise Cowan also won through to the quarters, beating Veronica Kelly (City of Echuca) 21-18.
And deepening the quality pool in the last eight are last year’s runner-up Brooke Edwards (Lalor) and State under-18 rep Tayla Morison (Melbourne BC) – Morison seeing off hometown heroine Di Hands (Shepparton Park BC) 21-10.
Carrum’s Brenda McMaster-Smith awaits the teenager on Thursday morning.
Edwards prevailed 21-16 over Moama’s Sandra Connolly. She will play Cowan in the other quarter-final.
Full results of women’s last 16
Day 5 men’s singles wrap-up