Day 1 – 2017 Steller Vic Open
Essendon’s Jay Bye Norris has won the first knockout men’s singles match of the 2017 Steller Vic Open, beating State player Nick McIntyre 21-15 at Shepparton Park Bowls Club.
On an opening day of the tournament when more than 800 matches were played across 18 venues around the Goulburn Valley and beyond, and weather ranged from bright sunshine to severe lightning and hail, men’s and women’s singles sectionals and early knockouts were played.
And headlining the action was young gun Norris, who played consistently and kept his nerve after a strong start as McIntyre clawed back several times.
You can watch the match above.
Norris won both his sectionals easily, with McIntyre also conquering a difficult sectional – including a 21-10 win over Kyabram’s Russell Locke – one of the region’s best players.
Both last year’s men’s singles finalists Matthew Flapper (Ocean Grove) and Lee Schraner (Rosny Park/Tasmania) are into the round of 32, and on a collision course to meet in the quarter-finals should they keep winning.
With many sectional matches delayed because of the weather, knockouts were played deep into Saturday night.
The last 16 of the women’s singles is finalised.
Defending women’s singles champion Kelly McKerihen has won through to the last 16, and there faces a blockbuster match against triple State champion Kylie Whitehead.
Also a match to watch in the round of 16 will be Australian development squad member Tiffany Brodie (Clayton) against 2015 Vic Medal winner Lisa Phillips (Brighton).
Brodie beat Moama’s Sandra Connolly in a super knockout match 21-17, while Phillips beat NSW visitor Joelen Bianchetto (St John’s Park) 21-18 to push into the business end of the tournament.
New Shepparton Mayor Kim O’Keeffe officially opened this year’s event at Shepparton Park Bowls Club early on Day 1, along with Shepparton Park Chairman Wes Gibbs and Bowls Victoria President Barbara Gilbert.
Results, men’s singles sectionals
Results, men’s singles knockout
Results, women’s singles
Results, women’s singles knockout
