Toomey breaks through for first national title

BOWLS

WELLINGTON: Nicole Toomey has broken through for her first New Zealand title, edging seventime national champion Mandy Boyd in a thrilling women's singles final at the national championships in Auckland yesterday.

Toomey came back from 1814 down to score the next seven shots and win the race to 21.

‘‘It's pretty amazing. It's been a goal of mine for a long, long time so it's nice to finally get one in the books,’’ she said.

‘‘First big national title so hopefully onwards and upwards and a great start to 2021.’’

Toomey earlier beat Connie Mathieson (Takapuna) 2110 in the semifinals after edging Karen Hema (Carlton Cornwall) 2116 in the quarters.

But it was in the final where she had to dig deepest. ‘‘The nerves were there the whole game. Even before the game but you just have to keep on top of it, keep drawing the shots and slowly get there.

‘‘Just remembering how I've been playing and having that determination and motivation to keep going and plodding along and it's first to 21 so you've got a whole game to keep going and keep finding those shots.’’