Krizanic moves in on Scott, Bester shoots clear
The race to be crowned Australian Bowler of the Year is heating up after a busy month see’s plenty of movement at the top of the ladder Australian Jackaroos and recent Asia Pacific Championship gold medallists Natasha Scott and Carla Krizanic are staging a close finish in the race to be crowned 2015/16 Australian Bowler of the Year.
Natasha Scott was in many people’s eyes a hot favourite after establishing a huge lead over the rest of the field; however team mate Carla Krizanic has wrestled back into contention after claiming the Victorian State Singles, the Victorian State Fours and most recently the prestigious South Tweed Ladies Singles tournament.
Krizanic (330.2 points) now only trails Scott (334 points) by 3.8 points; however Krizanic is not the only person staging a late run to the finish.
Another bowler to rocket into the frame is Ester Regan (QLD) after winning the Queensland State Singles, Queensland State Fours and making the semi-final of the State Triples.
Regan, one of the biggest movers for the month, jumps from 10th to 3rd spot on 248.9, some 45 points ahead of Victorian representative Lisa Phillips.
Chloe Stewart (VIC/QLD), Melissa Larcombe (QLD), Lynsey Clarke (QLD), Renata Callisto (SA) and Cassandra Harvey (SA) have all improved their positions with solid performances in their respective State Championships.
Queensland’s Millerick twins have moved into the top 20 after capturing the Queensland State Pairs and Queensland State Triples titles; Bolivia sits in 12th and Cassandra in 14th spot.
With the Australian Open on our doorstep, results will have a huge bearing on the Ladies’ Australian Bowler of the year.
Scott and Krizanic are playing together in the pairs and fours during the 14 day festival of bowls; therefore the outcome could well be decided by who performs better in the coveted singles event, one of few titles that eludes both their trophy cabinets.
Ester Regan, Lisa Phillips and Chloe Stewart have a chance to steal the honours if results pan out favourably for them during the $250,000 Australian Open.
Meanwhile, Canadian representative and member of the Broadbeach Bowls Club Ryan Bester (336.6 points) has all but secured back-to-back Male Bowler of the Year awards with a huge 120.6 lead over Chris Herden (NSW).
Bester won his third consecutive Queensland State Singles title and also joined forces with Australian representative Brett Wikie to claim the Queensland State Pairs title.
Chris Herden picked up good points from placings in the Dubbo Railway Pairs and the Nelson Bay Bluewater Pairs, allowing him to relegate Lee Schraner (TAS) to 3rd spot with 204.6 points.
Three time International Bowler of the Year Aron Sherriff has quietly moved into 5th place on 183 after winning the lucrative Dubbo Railway Pairs and will certainly be a player to watch out for during this year’s Australian Open.
Once again the Australian Open will have the final say and results could well see some further shuffling in the men’s top 20.
Other events prior to the Australian Open are:
• June 4th and 5th Musgrave Hill (QLD) $5,000 Men’s Open Pairs (Tier 4)
• June 4th and 5th Burleigh Heads (QLD) $10,000 Men’s Classic Fours (Tier 4)
• June 5th to 8th Tweed Heads (NSW) $15,000 Open Premier Singles (Tier 3)
• June 11th and 12th Hastings (VIC) Queen’s Birthday Classic Men’s Fours (Tier 4)
To view the current standings for both men and women click here
