In the first major championship game played since the suspension of lawn bowls due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tuncurry Beach's Sarah Boddington has claimed yet another title winning the 2020 region two singles final.
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Played at the North Haven Bowling Club, the deferred game against Lake Cathie's Jenny Roberts was anticipated to be a close affair, especially as neither player had seen competitive play since March of this year.
"I didn't know how we would both cope because as well as not being able to play, both Jenny and I hadn't even been able to train until a couple of weeks ago," Sarah said.
"It was also pretty strange being thrown into such an important game first off," she said.
"Anyhow, as it turned out, I think both of us played pretty well, considering the circumstances."
For the first dozen ends, predictions of a tight finish to the game appeared certain with neither player being able to get on top.
That changed in an instant, however, when on the 13th end Sarah drove Jenny's four shot bowls out of the head to add a further two shots to her own score.
I didn't know how we would both cope because as well as not being able to play, both Jenny and I hadn't even been able to train until a couple of weeks ago.
- Sarah Boddington
"I didn't see that coming," Jenny said after the game.
"I thought I was about to get a nice lead in the game and then in one foul swoop Sarah changed everything.
"She seemed to grow in confidence after that virtual six shot turn around and I really had no answer.
"Even though I thought I played pretty well, she was simply too good," she said.
As has been the case for so many times in the past, Sarah then forged ahead in the game to finish a comfortable and deserved 25-13 winner.
The victory in the event was her sixth and she will now head to Tamworth later this year for the NSW State Singles finals series.
Having also qualified four times prior to moving to Tuncurry from Huskisson in 2013, the 27-year-old will most certainly set a new record by being the youngest ever player to reach the finals on 10 occasions.
"I was still in school when I first won my way through to the State play-offs and many people at the time said it was a fluke," Sarah said.
Also in the sporting arena:
"So, I was determined to prove them wrong, a mind-set which has probably helped me in all those ensuing years right up to now.
"You'd think it would get easier each year but somehow it doesn't."
"In fact, it gets harder, especially when you come up against the likes of Jenny Roberts," she said.
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