MARIE Russell of the Avenue Bowling Club has won the Ballarat District Bowls Division’s women’s state singles final, overcoming Central Wendouree’s Elizabeth Kierce at Central Wendouree yesterday.
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Russell opened up a comfortable lead in the opening few ends and held strong throughout the match to run out a 25-18 shot victor in the first to 25 shots format match.
In the process she has booked herself a spot in the regional titles set to play out in February.
Russell, now a three-time winner of the BDBD state title (also in 2010 and 2012), has set her sights beyond the regionals and towards making Victoria’s final 16 squad, a feat she has achieved once before.
“Elizabeth is a tough competitor and as always she put up a terrific fight,” Russell said of the win.
“It was a bit tricky in the wind, but I was confident heading into the match.”
Marilyn Blake, the chair of the BDBD, presented the duo with their prizes, and Russell was quick to send out her praise to the organisers of one of the BDBD’s most important events.
“The BDBD and ladies committee did a brilliant job organising this event,” Russell said.
Russell is heavily involved in Avenue’s home and away pennant teams, playing as skipper for the club’s division one midweek side, and bowling as a leader in the premier division side.
“My rink is 115 shots up overall at the moment in midweek pennant, but I also love leading in premier division because it means I get to see the best of both positions,” she said.