Arndt bags her first title
Women’s Over 60’s State Singles wrap Irene Arndt from Bowls Safety Bay is the 2016/17 Aero Bowls Women’s Over 60’s State Champion after winning the final at Osborne Park on Wednesday.
She defeated the event’s only two time winner Kerry Andersen (Mosman Park) 21-13 in what was initially a tight contest.
Earlier in the day Arndt had to defeat Western Australian games record holder Therese Hastings in a semi-final where neither player maintained any dominance for a length of time. Both ladies seized their chances when they came with many twos and threes scored. After being down 2-8 early Arndt rallied quickly to get back to 11-11. It remained tight until the end with the key moment of the game coming when Arndt scored three to go 20-18 up which allowed her to win the game next end.
Andersen played inaugural champion Renate Coote in her semi-final which was won in a late flurry. The match was neck and neck when Coote led 13-14 however Andersen then powered away. Coote didn’t score again as Andersen picked up the required eight shots in five ends to win 21-14.
The final started similarly to Andersen’s semi-final where both ladies played well to keep the game close. Both players drew well with Arndt (pictured in action below) holding shot slightly more often but Andersen (pictured above) played some massive shots to take her shots away.
With the game locked at 9-9 the final looked like it would continue to stay close until the end but at 13-11 up Arndt got a critical three to give herself the match’s biggest lead of five and some much needed space. She then capitalised on her break and scored the next four shots to be 20-11 in front in no time. Andersen extended the match by picking up two ones including a big last bowl to save the match. The favour was quickly return when down a good three Arndt played a controlled weight shot to pick up the jack for game with the last bowl of the end, to win the match with the final score 21-13.
It is Arndt’s first state title of any kind and the first in three seasons for her club.
Main Photo: Irene Arndt with Aero Bowls World Representative Vanessa Northcote.
Women’s Over 60’s Singles Sectional Play results
Women’s Over 60’s Singles Knockout results
