New Zealand’s Shannon McIlroy is the only remaining obstacle standing in the way of Leif Selby and the world number one’s quest for a second Australian Open crown in Melbourne tomorrow (19/2).
Having prevailed at the Southern Hemisphere’s marquee lawn bowls tournament in 2008, having lost the 2006 final to Kiwi Russell Meyer, Selby returns for a third shot at glory and will once again face a Trans Tasman foe in the championship decider.
In the women’s final, reigning under-25 world champion Sam Shannahan will start as a slight favourite over fellow Victorian Lisa Phillips, but it was the Gippsland teenager who stole the show earlier today.
The 17-year-old needed little more than an hour to destroy the Gold Coast’s Charlie Harkness 15-1, 11-7, while Shannahan’s match went down to the wire against Gail Waitai before escaping with an 8-9, 10-7, 2-1 victory.
During today’s men’s semi-finals, Selby was pushed to the limit by NSW’s John Green before registering an 8-1, 6-8, 3-1 triumph, while McIlroy edged past Victoria’s Aaron Wilson 6-9, 8-4, 2-1.
“I’m very happy with that,” Selby said following his win.
“Unfortunately I played a good friend of mine...but that’s the way it is at times.
“To make three (Australian Open finals) is something I never imagined I would do, but I’m there now and I’m very happy with it.”
