Bribie Island’s Marilyn Peddell has played a bomb with her final bowl of the match to eliminate Commonwealth Games representative Maria Rigby from the main draw of the women’s singles at the $40,000 BCiB Queensland Open.
Trailing 1-2 playing the final end of the tie-break, Peddell was staring down the barrel of an early exit before engineering an engrossing come-from-behind victory in front of her home crowd.
Having made the early running against Rigby, Peddell narrowly claimed the first set by a solitary shot before the former Australian representative found her touch in the second.
Having recently reached the final of the Queensland state singles, as well as the semi-finals of the Ballina Wintersun Invitational Singles, Rigby looked in ominous form had momentum swinging her way after the first end of the tie-break as she secured a crucial double.
But with the chips down, Peddell kept herself in the match with a much needed single before the drama unfolded playing the last.
With Peddell holding one and a measure for a second, Rigby played with weight and looked on the money, but an unkind slice left the head in dispute, with the local unsure whether she should play her final bowl or go to the measuring tape to see if she had progressed.
After a lengthy wait, Peddell erred on the side of caution, delivering a sublime forehand which came to rest near the jack as she progressed through to the round of 16 with an 8-7, 4-10, 4-2 victory.
In other games, former Australian Open champion Katrina Wright also progressed into the second round with a tie-break victory over Wendy Ryan, as did Caloundra RSL firecracker Carly Griffiths.
The 15-year-old, who is currently being touted as one of the game’s future stars, proved too good for Broadbeach’s Gail Waitai, a former Australian Open pairs champion in her own right, prevailing 6-8, 13-3, 6-0 after a slow start.
Invermay’s Bec Quail also posted an impressive straight sets victory, while Mosman Park’s Therese Hastings reaffirmed her credentials with a crushing win.
