| Star Rises for Kirsten Griffin, Earns Place in Singles Final |
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At 21 years-old, Kirsten Griffin (NZ Selection) already has a proven record of success playing for NZ in the under-18 squad against Australia`s best young bowlers and taking an historic win in the 2010 Trans-Tasman tournament. But after today`s stellar performance on the Henderson Bowls greens, which earned her a place in the final of the women`s singles at The Trusts NZ Open 2012, Griffin looks to have truly come of age in a sport that can be played for a lifetime.
Winning by large margins through the early rounds of post-section, Griffin met her match in the round of 16 against Kaaren Guilford (NZ Selection and runner-up in last year`s women`s singles final). The rising star fought long and hard to best her opponent 21-19, and then stormed through her quarter final match versus Gayle Melrose (Birkenhead), 21-3, in less time than it takes to order a three-course meal.
In the semi-final she was faced with a similar uphill battle as she took on Karen Hema (Carlton Cornwall) for the chance to shine in the final. Bouncing back from a slow start, Griffin held on to take the match 21-19 and win a spot in the limelight on Friday opposite former NZ representative Reen Stratford (Carlton Cornwall).
The men`s singles tussle was equally eventful, with young guns Monte Pawa (Kaitaia Combined and runner-up in last year`s singles final), Ray Martin (Victoria) and Rhys Hakkens (Wilton) being forced out in the quarter finals.
Rob Ashton (Johnsonville) defeated Rhys Hakkens (Wilton) 21-13 to make it into the semi final to face Phillip Bennett (Frankton Railway). Bennett defeated Ray Martin (Victoria) 21-20.
Last year’s semifinalists, Barry O’Brien and Laurie Guy (Victoria) and Jamie Hill have reached the quarterfinals of the men’s triples to be played on Wednesday morning. Kirsten Griffin and Leigh Griffin start their main event triples campaigns also on Wednesday morning.