Crystal, 20, snares title

Fast start and a big finish

GLENORCHY Rodman’s Crystal Brooks, 20, is the toast of bowls after defeating more-experienced players to take out Bowls Tasmania South’s D.L. Reid’s Women’s Singles Championship at St John’s Park on Friday.

In a high standard grand final, Brooks took control early against Sandy Bay’s Laura Best and raced to an eight-shot lead before Best fought back to first level the scores and lead by two, needing four more shots for the win.

Brooks dug deep to win four of the next five ends to record a four-shot win.

In the semi-finals, Brooks defeated Claremont’s Wendy Gray and Best beat New Norfolk’s Lyn Triffitt by five. THE first two rounds of Bowls Tasmania’s Open State-Wide Challenge involving men’s and women’s teams from Launceston, the North West Coast and Hobart were played at Burnie last weekend with Bowls North West finishing on top.

In the morning, Bowls South women were defeated by Bowls North West 2, Bowls North West 1 beat Bowls North. In the men’s, Bowls South defeated Bowls North West 2 and Bowls North accounted for Bowls North West 1.

In the afternoon, Bowls South women trounced Bowls North West 1 with Bowls North beating Bowls North West 2. In the men’s, Bowls South had a win over Bowls North West 1, while Bowls North West 2 won against Bowls North.

Points after two rounds — Women: Bowls North West 24, Bowls North 12, Bowls South 12. Men: Bowls South 18, Bowls North West 18, Bowls North 12.

Next rounds are on February 21 at Launceston.