Aussies singled out in Hong Kong

by admin on November 10, 2013

After the singles event at the Hong Kong International, the Australian team will now focus their attention on the pairs event commencing Tuesday, Carla Odgers, Australia’s last hope in the singles draw of the 2013 Hong Kong International, has been beaten in the semi final.
The 23-year-old from the Lalor Bowling Club in Victoria progressed impressively through the draw on the opening two days of competition only dropping one set in her round one encounter 4-9, 7-2, 4-1 with Flora Wong from Hong Kong.
Odger’s semi final opponent, Scotland’s Lorraine Malloy, defeated the Victorian 5-5, 12-2 to advance to the final that she subsequently won over Maila Witheridge of the Philippines 4-10, 9-4, 7-0.
Australia’s other entrant in the women’s singles was St Johns Park’s Kelsey Cottrell who was unable to overcome Emmie Wong in the opening round of competition on Saturday, losing 3-6, 7-3, 1-3.
Odgers and Cottrell will team up in the prestigious pairs event and their campaign begins at 1pm (Aust time) on Tuesday.
In the men’s singles, like 2012, Australia were again represented by Barrie Lester and Matthew Baus.
Lester returned to Hong Kong to defend his singles title from 2012 but fell just desperately short in his opening round match against Chau Wing Hon losing the first set 8-9 and levelling the 2nd set 5-5.
Australian assistant coach and Hall of Fame inductee Robbie Dobbins reports that despite Lester losing the first set, he had his chance in the second and explains how the last end of the second set unfolded.
“Barrie lost the first set and led 5-3 on the last end of the second set. He drew a resting front toucher with his first bowl then the opposition fell a foot short with his first bowl so Barrie had to pass the shot bowl by any amount to hold a huge advantage, but unfortunately he bumped the opposition bowl up to rest on the shot bowl. The opposition then ran Barrie’s bowl out and laid two shots which he held onto and won the game with a set and a draw.”
Baus’s campaign ended shortly after winning his opening round,  against Andy Woo, when he met Andrew Hopkins from Wales and was defeated 5-9, 5-4, 3-4 in the second round.
Baus and Lester will defend their pairs title they captured 12 months ago when the pairs competition begins on Tuesday.
For all the latest results and images from the Hong Kong International, click here