WA win silver at Keilor
Australian Champion of Champions results Western Australia has secured two runner-up finishes in the National Champion of Champions Singles at Keilor, Victoria.
Cambridge’s Pieter Harris and Mosman Park’s Lisa Featherby both finished in the silver medal position at the conclusion of the round robin tournament.
Featherby was undefeated going into the last day of her campaign but had her strongest opponents still to come.
A 21-17 loss to eventual winner Carla Krizanic (Victoria) meant she had to rely on the Australian representative losing her final match losing her final match to the Northern Territory’s Bronwyn Chandler for a chance at the title.
Featherby’s come from behind 21-20 win over New Zealand national player Val Smith (NSW) gave her a chance but Krizanic’s 21-16 victory meant she had to settle for silver.
Harris also started his campaign strongly with a first day victory over eventual winner Aaron Teys (NSW) putting him in a strong position to mount a charge for the title.
A surprise third round loss to Tasmanian Jarrod Long put Harris in the chasing pack and a loss to Queensland’s Canadian representative Ryan Bester found him a game behind the competition leading Canadian and one shot behind Teys.
Bester looked like he would win out to add the championship to his list of accomplishments but faltered in the final round going down suprisingly 21-13 to the ACT’s Mark Delihunty, Delihunty had lost all his previous six matches.
Bester had to rely on both Harris and Teys losing to retain first place, as his habit of winning in close games had hurt his shot difference.
Harris recorded a strong 21-10 over Brett Irvine of the Northern Territory but the shot difference meant Teys just had to beat South Australian Ashley Halls. Halls saved match four ends in a row but was unable to do it a fifth time giving Teys a 21-15 win and the title five shots ahead of Harris.
Congratulations to both WA representative of their excellent performances.
Full results can be found on the Bowls Australia Competition Portal
Photo courtesy of Bowls Australia: Cambridge’s Pieter Harris in action at Keilor
