Abel survives a thriller
Raymond Terrace’s Michael Abel has advanced through to the second round of the Australian Indoor Championships after prevailing in a tricky first-up encounter at Tweed Heads this morning. Pitted against Kalamunda’s Simon Alden, the suspense-laden match had all the hallmarks of a blockbuster affair as onlookers were kept on the edge of their seats with the scoreboard constantly displaying a new leader. Both players appeared evenly matches – soon as one player hit the lead, the other responded – with arm wrestle first set levelled 8-8. Abel looked like wrapping the match up early, holding a 9-5 lead on the penultimate end of the second set, before a wry drive handed Alden a huge full-count of 4 to extend it to a tie-break. Again, Abel had established a margin that appeared enough to secure victory, holding a 2-0 lead after the first two ends, and again, Alden responded to keep his chances alive, picking up 2 of his own. A sudden death end meant someone would prevail, with Abel’s centimetre perfect wood declared shot. Also progressing through to the second round was ACT’s runner-up Male Bowler of the Year Andrew Howie, who defeated Geoff Harding 11-3, 11-1, Allen Hurst defeated Josh Mabb 7-6, 7-7, Janine Katon prevailed over Colleen Orr 12-4, 3-9, 4-1, and Bribie Island’s junior ace Natasha Jones won 8-5, 5-8, 3-2. The round one action continues at Tweed Heads from 10am this morning, with first round sessions staged until 6pm. Click here for more information from the 2014 Australian Indoor Championships.
