Twice as nice for Ester Regan
QLD’s current No 1 ranked bowler Ester Regan has proved her form, winning the prestigious Women’s State Singles crown. State Championships 2016 – Women’s Singles
Ester Regan 25 def Lynsey Clarke 17
They don’t get any bigger than Lynsey Clarke in Queensland bowls, the undisputed Queen of the Green and all-round nice person won three BQ state titles last year, pairs, triples and fours.
The only title she failed to secure was 2015 State Singles, won by Kawana’s Kiani Andersen.
With Kiani not defending her title, Helensvale’s Aussie Jackaroo Clarke was very keen to be there on finals day at Tweed Heads Bowls Club (Mon May 16) and preferably lift the glamour trophy.
But it wasn’t to be, Bramble Bay’s Ester Regan, currently No 1 in the QLD rankings (to April 30, 2016) and No 10 in Australia, lived up to her ranking.
“Lynsey is an exceptional Australian player and I knew who I was up against,” Regan said
“So I stayed calm and played the best I could – I would say 80% of my shots were good.”
Regan pulled out the winning shot in her semi final comeback against the consistently brilliant Gail Waitai from Broadbeach to earn the chance to contest the final against Clarke, going through by just one shot, 25-24.
Clarke had just beaten exciting country bowler Maree Gibbs from Milmerran, 25-17.
Regan said she found it daunting to play State Singles in front of the full crowd, but she kept her cool and took an early lead against Clarke.
The crowd was rivetted as the two fighters battled, Clarke behind on the scoreboard but Regan always with her head over her shoulder, never allowing herself to take her margin for granted against one of the best comeback kids in the business.
Regan finally took the match and the State Title, 25-17.
Regan was extremely joyous receiving her first State Singles trophy, since she had been a runner up twice previously, in 2005 and 2008.
She was delighted to finally win gold but she was the first to say the journey had been hard.
“I played one of my best games in the sectionals at South Tweed, but I was clawing for a win in the semi finals today (against Gail Waitai),” Regan said.
“Every game and every green is different, sometimes it can take a couple of shots to get used to it.”
Regan took home her medal with an ear-to-ear grin on her face as she left the club.
She will be back bright and early tomorrow, skipping on the first day of sectionals in the Women’s Fours, her teammates Jessie Cottell, Kay Cavanagh and Maria Rigby.
Singles Silver medallist and defending State Women’s Fours Champ Lynsey Clarke will also be back tomorrow with her favourite girl-squad, state players Natasha Jones, Yvonne Lovelock and Rosie White.
Click on link below for results from Semis and Finals Day State Singles – Women
https://www.bowlsqld.org/Portals/4/Events/State%20Champs/2016%20Womens%20State%20Singles%20Final.pdf
Photo and story about today’s State Championships Women’s Singles win by Ursula Baehr.
