Day 3 – State Champions Week
Wodonga and Ovens & Murray’s Kylie Whitehead is the new Victorian women’s State Singles champion.
Whitehead played exceptional bowls – especially in the late pressure ends – to beat experienced Ocean Grove bowler Joan Tennent 25-17 in the final at Bendigo East Bowling Club on Day 3 of 2017 State Champions Week.
With a busy schedule including the Under 25 women’s singles final later in the day, and in reaching the women’s fours semi-finals, Whitehead raced out to an early 11-5 lead before Tennent came storming back.
Tennent regained the lead 17-16, before Whitehead stepped up another gear with precise bowls, including a critical three in the final ends.
With Whitehead holding game, Tennent took one out of the head to take the 25-up game into a final end, before Whitehead got the shot she needed – albeit with a measure.
Australia’s world championships silver medallist Barrie Lester took out the men’s Champion of Champions singles final.
The Mulgrave Country Club bowler was on fire from the get-go against Deer Park’s Garry Ball, winning 25-8 with a superb display.
Moonee Valley’s Nathan Lynch won the men’s Under 25 State Singles title, beating Bundoora RSL’s Jack Woodhouse 25-19 late on Day 3.
Lynch got off to a flyer and held a big lead, before Woodhouse stormed back and scores were level at 15-all. But Lynch found a way past his Victorian Under 25 teammate, and closed out the match to win the State title 25-19.
One of the most remarkable stories of State Champions Week came in the women’s Novice Singles final. Tocumwal’s Jenny O’Connor has been playing bowls for just over a year.
But she’s now a State champion – the Central Goulburn Murray bowler beating June Richardson from Stratford/Gippsland Region in their final which finished in the night session.
And Port Fairy’s Nick Seekamp produced a remarkable comeback. He trailed Gavin Wright (Cranbourne) heavily in their men’s State Novice Singles final before coming over the top to win 21-20.
Fixtures, men’s State Singles
Results, men’s State Singles
Fixtures, women’s Champion of Champion singles
Results, women’s Champion of Champion singles
Fixtures, men’s fours
Results, men’s fours
Fixtures, women’s fours
Results, women’s fours
Results, men’s Champion of Champion singles
Results, women’s State Singles
