Murphy conquers Tweed again for number six
Cabramatta’s Karen Murphy has moved to within three wins of the record of Australian Indoor Championship victories after claiming her sixth title in seven years on the indoor carpet at Tweed Heads Bowls Club today.
While Murphy claimed her sixth crown, young Victorian bowler Tony Wood from the Clayton Bowls Club in Melbourne won his first men’s crown in a gripping final over Tasmania’s Mark Nitz.
National Coach Steve Glasson owns nine Australian Indoor titles which is regarded by many as one of the most revered championships on the Australian bowls calendar annually and Glasson’s record is one Murphy clearly has in her sights now.
In today’s women’s final, Murphy took on former Australian Commonwealth Games representative, 51-year-old Maria Rigby and prevailed 10-4, 10-4 in a highly entertaining finale to the championships.
A relieved Murphy was quick to praise her opponent indicating the match, despite the apparent one-sided score line, was a much tighter affair than the score suggested.
“I knew it was going to be a tough match and it was. Maria is such a great player and she played really well today and the match was a lot tougher than 10-4, 10-4 suggests,” Murphy said.
“We know each other’s games really well and we are good friends so it was really nice to play Maria and I enjoyed the match out there today.”
Today’s victory was extra sweet and satisfying for Murphy as it was the first of six indoor titles her parents Frank and Lorraine were on hand to see her play.
“It was so great to have Mum and Dad here for today and to share this with them.”
Murphy, who also boasts five Golden Nugget trophies from the same venue, en-route to the final defeated Kim Saunders in the opening round, ace Queensland junior Natasha Jones in the second round before proving too strong for Jane Bush and fellow Jackaroo squad member Carla Odgers in the quarter final and semi-final respectively before today’s entertaining final.
Wood, a 25-year-old from Clayton had a week to remember at Tweed Heads with a maiden victory in the Indoor Championship.
With club coach and good friend Graeme Archer rink side for support, Wood showed nerves of steel in his five matches which included gripping victories over Lee Stinson, Paul O’Brien, Archer and Mathew Rennex in the semi-final to earn a spot in the final which he claimed 9-6, 9-3 over Burnie’s Mark Nitz.
“I’m lost for words, this result is just amazing and a great thrill to win a prestigious event like the Australian Indoors,” an emotional Wood said.
“This is just incredible.”
Tweed Heads Bowls Club Chairman, Peter Howell, surprised the capacity crowd with the exciting announcement that an agreement had been struck between the Club and Bowls Australia to extend staging the event at the iconic venue for a further three years.
“It’s a great, great thing for Tweed Heads to be able to hold this event here each year and we look forward to the next three years.