The Bowls Australia grand prix circuit’s pre-eminent player, Karen Murphy, has captured a 15th title today after leading Kay Moran and Julie Keegan to victory in the women’s triples final at the $30,000 Queensland Open.
Having suffered a rare blemish at the hands of world number four Kelsey Cottrell and Keegan during this morning’s pairs final, Murphy answered in the best possible fashion as she converted with the final bowl of the tie-break to clinch a memorable win.
The victory caps off a red-letter day for Keegan following her earlier success, while Moran, who is also through to tomorrow’s singles final against Tasmania’s Bec Quail, continues to reaffirm her reputation as one of the GP circuits most reliable leads.
“We’re really happy to have won the triples,” Murphy said.
“Sometimes you get those last bowls and sometimes you don’t.
“On this occasion, it was great to be able to get it.”
Leading 11-6 with just two ends to play in the opening set, the all-NSW line-up dropped a four and a three to close out proceedings and suddenly the momentum was with Renshaw, Odgers and Duke.
Needing to re-group, Moran, Keegan and Murphy rattled off six of the opening seven ends of the second set, but with the scoreboard ticking over in singles only, the chance of a late fight back was always on the cards.
Nonetheless, they held their nerve as the forced a tie-break which came down to the wire.
Despite claiming a single on the opening end, Duke, who along with Renshaw, was hoping to defend the title they won 12 months ago with Keegan, would not be denied as she claimed a double to snatch the advantage.
But with the title on the line, enter Murphy who penned another chapter in her incredible career.
Down match with her penultimate bowl, Murphy gutsed Duke’s counter to snatch the shot before her Australian teammate replied just moments later.
With the sun rapidly setting in Ipswich, Murphy would not be denied as she made it victory number 15 from final number 20.
“I’ve been really fortunate to have the girls with me this week,” Murphy said.
“Kay’s been on fire, she’s in three finals, and Julie won the pairs, so as a triple we couldn’t ask for a better week.
“It wasn’t looking like 15 for a while, but I’m stoked and I gave myself two chances to win one today, so to win one of them I’m rapt.”
