Kristina Locks Away a WA Singles Title
Played Monday 25th January 2016 By Cameron Harris
Kristina Krstic is the 2016 winner of the Women’s State Singles defeating last year’s winner Noelene Abe 25-23 in the final on Monday at Manning Bowling Club. The final was a replay of the 2015 where Abe defeated Krstic. After having national success as a junior, the title is Krstic’s first singles title at senior level.
Krstic had her work cut out for her in her semi-final match against Pam Chalmers in a game where the lead changed five times. Chalmers collected four shots on the first two ends but Krstic worked her way back to 5-6 before picking up a four to take the lead. Krstic raced out to 14-7 but was chased down by Chalmers who went ahead with a three at 15-17. From there it was a dogfight to 20-20 when Chalmers picked up a two to gain the upper hand. Shortly Krstic levelled the match but Chalmers picked up a single to take the lead again. With the score at 22-23 Krstic drew well and held two good shots with a bowl each to play. After missing two earlier slightly over the draw shots Chalmers tried again and was again unsuccessful. Krstic then finished the job drawing game with her last to book her place in back to back finals.
In contrast Abe seemed untroubled against Krstic’s club mate Toni Madigan in a game where she was never behind. Abe scored the first six shots of the game and controlled the match to lead 13-3. Madigan responded well winning three of the next four ends, including two threes, to get back into the match at 14-10. After weathering the storm Abe got back to business and won seven of the last eight ends of the match, including the last six to win 25-12.
For the second year in a row Noelene Abe and Kristina Krstic stepped out to do battle in a State Singles final in a classic youth versus experience showdown. Both players settled into their work quickly, drawing and landing well in a tight contest. The match soon became a high quality affair with Abe pulling away to a slight lead at 6-10. Then the match was turned on its head as Krstic notched up consecutive threes to take the lead. The second of these threes came when Abe ran at two good Krstic shots. The shot was played very well with the bowl hitting both shot bowls but it followed on to slice the jack to give Krstic three shots, and the most significant result so far.
The match quickly tightened up again until Krstic won five consecutive ends to give herself a buffer with the score at 21-14. Abe came back hard scoring the next four shots but Krstic refused to give up the lead, scoring three shots in two ends to go within a shot of the championship. It was then that Krstic played her worst end all day as Abe picked up three shots. Abe then put Krstic under the pump drawing immediately behind the jack with her first bowl of the next end. Krstic started in the same vein as the previous end sailing across the head with her first. Abe then drew two more shots including one right next to her first as Krstic failed to make a meaningful impact. Abe was unable to draw a fourth with her last but finished short and on the line blocking a drive. Needing to play an awesome shot to avoid a sudden death end Krstic swung in towards the two bowls and the jack and successfully landed the pack. After a short deliberation the players shook hands and Krstic had officially won her first open singles title.
