Women’s State Singles Preview
The Dyenamic Sublimation Women’s State Singles begins this weekend with 87 taking to the greens before an ultimate champion will be crowned on Sunday 29th January.
Whilst a lot less in total numbers than the Men’s event the Women’s does still have plenty of players with the ability to take home the coveted silverware and etch their names alongside champions of the past.
In this year’s edition there are just four previous winners with names like Laura Butler(nee:Merz), Lee Poletti, Roma Dunn, Bev Scott, Bev Baker, Noelene Abe and four time winner Therese Hastings who are all regulars deciding not to take their place in the 2023 edition. However even with these players out there is still plenty of depth across the field.
Like the Men’s Preview we will break the draw down into four parts were one player from each group will advance to the semi-finals.
First quarter Sections 1-5
All these players will begin on the quick synthetic surface at Rossmoyne Bowling Club so it will be important to find line and weight early. The late withdrawal of Laura Butler in Section 3 gives a few players a serious chance here to progress to the semi finals.
Chris Ace-Watson made the final in 2021 and see should win her way through in Section 5 and be hard to beat.
Section 2 is a real even affair with three good players in Jenni McLaughlin, Irene Leahy and Lisa Smith any of which could win and also go deep to the last day.
Jennie Bruce has shown she has plenty of talent winning a State Fours and Country Week Pairs and looks a good prospect in Section 1.
Second quarter Sections 6-13
Four time winner and Commonwealth Games Pairs Gold Medal winner Kristina Krstic has drawn Section 6 and should breeze through the early rounds. She would of been disappointed not to have made a final in the Fours or Pairs earlier this season in what was perhaps a Gold medal hangover. She can also create history in winning a fifth title which no other female player has done before so expect her to bounce back in this event.
The clear and present danger to Kristina’s chances will be Helen Morss in Section 9 who is a two time winner and they could match up in the round of 16 in a crucial clash.
There are four players in this group who have been runner up in the state singles with Helen Heal in Section 8, Irene Arndt and Liz Matthews both in Section 10 and Linda Warburton in Section 13.
Others who could surprise if they pulled up their best bowls are Judith Allen, Renate Coote, Jillian Adam and Sally Wilke in what is a strong area of the draw.
Third quarter Sections 14-21
Last years winner Hailey Packer has drawn Section 19 and appears to be in a good part of the draw to once again progress to the business end of competition although she does have a reasonable first up opponent in Jenny Parker. If she can win that one I expect her to make it right through to the last four.
Section 15 will see another good first game clash with Amanda Masters playing former team mate Kaitlin Tyrrell.
The best of the remaining sections are possibly Julie Savell, Deb Saunders, Isobelle Davies, Lexie Webster, Karina Gale and Helene Thurston.
Fourth quarter Sections 22-29
Another good group of players here. Lisa Featherby put in a mighty effort to come from a long way back and challenge Hailey Packer in last years final. She is however currently in England playing in the World Indoor Singles and could be a late withdrawal if she was to make the final of that event. If she does make it back in time a full day of travel might prove tough however Lisa is one of the fittest bowlers in the game. If she does play she has some good opposition in Lily Rughoobur and Sian Smith.
Former winner Kathy Gobbart is another in a tough section draw at Osborne Park against Pam Chalmers who will have the home club advantage in that clash. Also in that section is Debbie Smith who is no slouch and could surprise.
Kerry Andersen drawn section 23 is one of the most consistent draw bowlers in the ladies game and was runner up in 2020 in a very tight final. She also has a great section with Mandy Heiner and Toni Madigan as opponents.
Other contenders include Jenni Roglaski, Sharon Whana, Alexandra Harris and Dot Glass.
