Women's Masters Singles Andersen adds Masters to a long list

The True North Ladies Masters Singles 2022-23 was held at Mosman Park in February and although the temperature conditions were favourable, the afternoon see breezes made conditions very difficult particularly during the early rounds.

This event continues to be well supported with sponsors; with The True North Kimberley Cruises being the naming rights sponsors, plus the Foot Studio in Claremont combining to ensure $4,000 in prizes. A steep hurdle to climb with the winner having to win six games – but one that attracts a quality field each year.

After Day One, the first 32 players were down to four with three straight wins. Kerry Andersen (Mosman Park) had two tight wins, beating Lexie Webster (Safety Bay) in a real tussle 21-20 and then Vicky Eva (Mosman Park) 21-19. Eva was holding game at one stage with Andersen playing a fantastic last bowl to snatch the game and go into the quarter finals.

Elaine Meehan (Warnbro) also had a tough run, securing victories over Liz Richie (Wanneroo), Vicki Spragg (Safety Bay) and Kathy Gobbart (Gingin). Jenni McLaughlin (North Beach) was a bit more comfortable in her run to the quarters with wins against Kaitlin Tyrell (Manning), Irene Kozak (Port Bouvard) and Deb Saunders (Osborne Park).

Kerrie Hudson (Morley) was a new face to the competition having secured a singles win at her club, Morley, last year. Flying under the radar Kerrie had three good wins against Karen Weir (Wanneroo), Sue Haley (Gosnells) and then an upset win over Renate Coote (Mosman Park).

Coote had just come off an impressive win against Laura Butler (Manning), a previous winner of the event, but Hudson secured the upper hand with a close win 21-17.

Day 2 also saw some great match ups and some close outcomes. The final four included Linda Warburton (Mosman Park) who had a close call against both Jo Lancaster (Beacon) 21-17 and then a marathon game against Jenny Parker (Mosman Park) 21-17 and then overcame Marg Peck (Beverley) to get into the quarters.

Kristina Krstic (Manning) was chasing a threepeat, having won the event in the previous two years and with a tough run into the quarters, posted comfortable scores against Irene Leahy (Kalgoorlie) 21-9, Therese Hastings (Manning) 21-6 and the current State Singles winner Irene Arndt 21-12.

This certainly put Krstic in the frame as a favourite to win the event again. Lisa Smith (Perth and Tatts) had a close call in her third game against Julie Watson (Gingin), having a good lead early only to see Watson claw her way back into a winnable situation. In the end a close win to Smith 21-19. The final contender for the quarters was Izzy Davies (Mosman Park) with two comfortable wins and a hard fought third game against Bev Duff (Mundaring) 21-14.

Finals day saw the wind a bit kinder than the qualifying days. Warburton and Smith had a long struggle, with Smith’s conversions certainly doing damage when Warburton was close to the jack, often holding multiple shots.

A tight Warburton win 21-19 proves it could have gone either way. Andersen and Krstic made relatively light work of their opponents while Hudson and McLaughlin also had a close one. Hudson jumped out of the blocks early but a change in momentum saw Mclaughlin challenge to draw even.

Hudson then steadied and was the eventual winner 21-18.

The semi-finals were all class with two cracking games. Warburton against Krstic was close all the way, both showing their skills and never say die attitude. A close one at 25-22 in favour of Krstic. Hudson and Anderson matched up and, as the newer player, Hudson showed complete resolve to take the fight up to her more experienced opponent.

Neither showed much emotion, staying focused on the task at hand, with Andersen having the goods to get over the line 25-19. All credit to Hudson making the semis in her first attempt at this event.

The final was set. Krstic, Commonwealth games gold medallist and three times winner of the event, versus Andersen, a multiple State/Masters title holder but someone who had not won the event previously.

In front of an enthralled audience the two did battle with Andersen coming out on fire. The home town hero had all the answers when Krstic was holding shot and withstood the various tactics her younger but very experienced opponent used to try to shift momentum (jack length, mat position etc).

Krstic was all class in defeat with Andersen winning 25-12.

Andersen is known for her consistent bowls and a cool head and, in the final, was unstoppable – just good quality bowls. Always good to have a new winner on the trophy but both players are true champions on and off the green.

The Mosman Park Bowling club and its many volunteer members, with Lisa Featherby as the main driver of this tournament, provides a fantastic venue to host this prestigious event and did a great job with the organisation, provision of quality greens and the 'Million Dollar View'.