Local bowler Karen de Jongh (Carlton Cornwall) came out firing in her title match against defending champion Kirsten Griffin in the final of the New Zealand Open Womens Singles at Henderson today. Picking up an early lead, 4-1 after four ends, de Jongh then endured a scoreless five ends as Griffin (Bowls NZ Young Player of the Year 2012/2013) found her line and drew even on seven in the 12th end.
Unfazed and spurred on by her 94-year-old father, Jos (still bowling himself), the 59-year-old took control of the rink and won eight ends in quick succession to take the crown, a first for de Jongh at the tournament.
Victoria had a good tournament with Lou Newman skipping a team, including son Adam, to the quarterfinals in the Mens Triples, and Nicole Toomey also skipping a triple to the quarterfinals of the Womens event.