More success
AUCKLAND: Third gold for Jo Edwards.
This one, though, needed all her years of class to escape a major upset.
Edwards defended her Commonwealth Games women’s singles title at the Broadbeach club, pulling off an unlikely comeback victory over Welsh counterpart Laura Daniels.
Down 127 and 1510, Edwards absorbed considerable pressure throughout this tense final.
The turning point came in the 20th end when Edwards stepped up to pull three bowls back.
She drew level, nabbed three more back in the next game for a 2017 lead and remarkable sevenbowl swing.
What a comeback this was, Edwards digging her way out what seemed an insurmountable hole.
Daniels looked unshakeable, responding on several occasions by taking, or snuggling alongside, the jack. At 32, her future is bright but, this time, she could not quite knock off the wily veteran.
Edwards, attending her fourth Games, appeared relaxed as she strolled around the bowls complex bouncing a tennis ball before the roll off for gold.
But come the main event, she summoned every bit of her vast experience to claim her third Games gold.
Edwards endured other moments of difficulty this week but her comfort in these surroundings, having spent time here adjusting to the greens before the Games began, helped her survive significant pressure.
The 48yearold increased her gold haul to three, after claiming the pair’s title in Manchester in 2002, and triumphing in the singles in Glasgow four years ago.
Edwards added a 13th gold to New Zealand’s rich history on the greens at the Commonwealth Games.
Edwards said her drive on the 19th end, which was worth three points, was the turning point.
Daniels did not add to her tally and Edwards won the match 2117.
‘‘The drive when I killed it, she drew the shot and I drew inside of it. That was a mini turning point by getting a good three,’’ Edwards said.
The second singles gold medal had not sunk in yet, she said.
‘‘It’s been a lot of hard work. I’ve got such great support, not just the New Zealand team but all the support staff.’’
Edwards, who now lives on the Gold Coast and plays at Broadbeach, did have many supporters in the crowd.
‘‘I love it, my friends and family in the crowd. It’s not just me doing it, a lot of people have put in a lot of work for today and [the gold medal is] just a bit of a payback.
‘‘There were coaches, husbands, best friends, mates and my family at home.’’ — Additional reporting NZN