Aussie ‘Stars’ shine at World Champs
Queenslander Joy Forster back-to-back Singles Gold Australia’s blind bowlers will bring home 10 medals from the 2013 World Blind Bowls championships at Worthing in England.
After a two week campaign, the national blind bowls team, known as the Aussie Stars, came in second overall behind South Africa.
Queensland’s Joy Foster from Chermside Bowls Club won GOLD in the B2 Women’s Singles and Christine Henry from Moorooka Bowls Club won BRONZE in the B3 Women’s Singles.
Joy’s director was Bruce Jones and Christine’s director was Ruth Telfer.
In the Mixed Pairs, Christine won SILVER with B3 partner Tony Scott from Victoria, who also won Australia’s only other GOLD medal of the tournament, in the B3 Men’s Singles.
Joy and partner Ralph Simpson from Victoria narrowly missed a bronze medal in the B2 Mixed Pairs.
Aussie Stars national coach Graeme Clements said the final day of the championships was very exciting for Australia in terms of the medal haul but South Africa were too good to wrest the overall trophy off them.
Graeme’s report of Day 9 of the championships follows:
July 18 2013 – Final day of Championships (Day 9)
by Graeme Clemments
Another great day for the Aussie Stars with another five medals to add to the previous five for a total of ten of the available 12 medals on offer.
Joy Forster excelled in her final round match against South Africa to win the Gold Medal in ladies B.2 Singles.
Joy has played exceptionally well throughout the tournament and has been ably assisted by her director Bruce Jones.
This is a repeat of her win in Melbourne in 2009.
West Australian David Goddard has won the Silver Medal in the Men’s B.4 Singles, following a runaway victory in the final round.
David was directed by Barbara Whitehead.
In the B.3 Pairs, Christine Henry (QLD) and Tony Scott (VIC) had a huge win in their final round to win the Silver Medal.
They were directed by Ruth Telfer and Tony’s son Glenn Scott respectively.
In the B.4 ladies singles, Sharon Dunk (NSW) won a nail biter which secured the Bronze Medal for her.
Sharon was a little unfortunate not to achieve Silver, narrowly missing by one shot.
Wendy Cartwright has done a wonderful job looking after and directing Sharon in all her matches.
Wayne Thomsom (NSW), ably assisted and directed by his wife Lynne, recorded a brilliant performance in his final round match to achieve the Bronze Medal in Men’s B.1 Singles.
Today’s Results
B.1 Singles
W Thomson defeated South Africa 19/10
B.2 Singles
J Forster defeated South Africa 21/7
B.3 Pairs
C Henry and T Scott defeated Scotland 26/9
B.4 Singles
S Dunk defeated Canada 21/17
D Goddard defeated Scotland 21/4
Aussie Star Medal Winners
Gold Medals
Joy Forster B.2 Ladies Singles
Tony Scott B.3 Men’s Singles
Silver Medals
Ralph Simpson B.2 Men’s Singles
Christine Henry B.3 Pairs
Tony Scott B.3 pairs
David Goddard B.4 Men’s Singles
David Goddard B.4 Pairs
Sharon Dunk B.4 Pairs
Bronze Medals
Wayne Thomson B.1 Men’s Singles
Maree Fenech B.1 Pairs
Wayne Thomson B.1 Pairs
Christine Henry Ladies B.3 Singles
Sharon Dunk B.4 Ladies Singles
It is a credit to all players that have worked so hard and every player has achieved a medal.
Overall Ranking
South Africa has won the overall team trophy with 119 Points.
Australia tried very hard but couldn’t bridge the gap and finished on 108 points followed by Israel and England equal on 70, closely followed by Malaysia 67, Scotland 62, New Zealand 51, Canada 28, Northern Ireland 7 and Wales 4.
