History was made on the greens of Forster Bowling Club last week when Tuncurry Beach lawn bowler, Sarah Boddington wrapped up an unprecedented seventh successive Lower North Coast District singles title.
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Her achievement, unmatched in NSW women's bowls history, also saw her become the youngest ever player to win 10 district singles championships.
After sailing through the early rounds of the State event, the 27-year-old found herself up against Forster's reigning NSW Senior Bowler of the Year, Claire Kelly who was determined to bring to an end the former's incredible unbeaten run which dates back to 2012.
Claire is always a worthy opponent and I never take her lightly.
- Sarah Boddington
But, it wasn't to be as the more experienced, though much younger Sarah led from the very onset to finish a 25-17 victor in a game described by many as "simply enthralling".
"Claire is always a worthy opponent and I never take her lightly," Sarah said after the final.
"She is very deliberate on the mat and is one never to rush a shot so you have to concentrate all the way through the game or otherwise you could find yourself in trouble against her.
"I'm therefore more than happy that I've come away with this win which will now give me another opportunity to win my third State Singles title later in the year."
The singles win has capped off a successful start to 2020 for the young sportswoman who was also victorious in the district pairs alongside Pam Coleman and the district fours with team-mates, Vicki Rayner, Julie Middleton and Pam Coleman.
A defeat in the final of the district triples against Claire Kelly's Forster team was the only blemish, much to the annoyance of Sarah who has fallen just short of a district grand-slam (winning all four titles in the same year) on no fewer than six occasions.
With tongue in cheek, Sarah said that family history dictated that it wasn't all that lucky to win a grand-slam.
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"A grand-slam was the downfall of my grandfather after he promised my grandmother that he would give the game away if he ever achieved the feat," she said.
"Unfortunately, a year after making the rash promise, he somehow actually succeeded with the upshot being that he was forced to retire from the game he loved at the ripe old age of 35.
"I don't wish to follow in his footsteps so a grand-slam can wait."
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