Murphy eyes bowls world triple crown
Australia’s Karen Murphy has the triple crown of world lawn bowls titles in her sights after claiming the world Champion of Champions title, as Nine MSN reports. World No.2 Murphy won nine of her 12 section matches in the tournament – for the winners of national titles worldwide – before taking out her semi then dominating Sunday’s final against Scotland’s previously unbeaten Lorna Smith 10-6 11-6 in Christchurch. Having claimed the four-yearly world championship title in Adelaide in November last year, the 36-year-old Murphy can complete a set of current world singles titles at the World Cup to be contested in Warilla in her home state NSW in April. Murphy became the second Australian to win the Champion of Champions, after Kelsey Cottrell’s 2009 success in Ayr, Scotland and she was still coming to grips with holding two current world crowns. “To win both titles in the space of about 12 months is an incredible feeling and I feel somewhat rewarded for the extensive training and travel I’ve had to do to get here,” Murphy said. “This is such a prestigious event and has been won in the past by some wonderful players so I am just honoured and privileged to now be able to hold the title amongst some great names in bowls.” Melbourne teenager Dylan Fisher threatened to make it a title double for Australia at the Champion of Champions. The rising star dominated his section of the men’s draw, dropping only one match before falling short of making the final by just two shots when beaten in his semi-final on Saturday by Scotland’s Alastair White 7-8 5-6. Fisher was attempting to emulate the feats of former Australian winners Leif Selby, Brett Wilkie and Aron Sherriff who claimed the champions trophy in consecutive years from 2008-2010. National coach Steve Glasson was thrilled with the efforts of Murphy and Fisher. “Karen’s performance was outstanding against some quality opposition from all parts of the world,” said Glasson. “She has now got the chance to play the World Cup and that presents her with an opportunity to hold all three major world singles titles in the one year which would be incredible for not only her but for the sport of bowls in this country.”