Murphy on the cusp of sixth Indoor crown
The pointy end of the Australian Indoor Championships are taking shape Reigning world singles champion and queen of the indoor green Karen Murphy is within striking distance of a sixth Australian Indoor Championships crown in seven years after after booking a semi-final berth at Tweed Heads Bowls Club today.
Standing in the world number two’s way however is her Glasgow-bound Australian Jackaroos teammate Carla Odgers, with the Eight Nations Commonwealth Games Invitational squad teammates set on a collision course for the coveted silverware and prize purse.
Murphy booked her ticket to tomorrow’s semis with a comprehensive 12-0, 12-4 win over former Queensland representative Jane Bush, while Odgers progressed courtesy of a hard-fought 2-10, 9-4, 2-1 victory against Bev Baker in her quarter-final encounter.
“I’ve got a bit of a niche playing on the carpet,” Murphy said after cementing her spot in the semis.
“I just feel so at home here, it’s a tournament that I relish playing in.
“Carla is obviously a really great player, she’s on the plane to Glasgow with us and is thoroughly deserving, I know it is going to be a really hard game.”
On the opposite side of the draw, Cabramatta’s Lisa Mitchell and Manly’s Maria Rigby will face off for the chance to contend against one of the Jackaroo pair in the gold medal decider, staged on Thursday.
The pointy end of the men’s side of the $30,000 tournament is also taking shape, with Australian Super 6 singles winner Andrew Howie, from Tuggeranong Valley, progressing to the final eight, as has recent Aero Bowls Tasmanian Invitational singles winner Mark Nitz, from Burnie, with the duo set clash on in their semi-final match on Thursday morning.
Tomorrow’s men’s semi-final will be a battle of the Victorians, featuring Clayton young gun Tony Wood up against Victorian Under-25 representative Mathew Rennix, from Altona.
2013 Australian Indoor Championships semi-final draw:
Women’s singles semi-final 1
Wednesday 9am
Maria Rigby (Manly, Qld)
Lisa Mitchell (Cabramatta, NSW)
Women’s singles semi-final 2
Wednesday 2pm
Karen Murphy (Cabramatta, NSW)
Carla Odgers (Laylor, VIC)
Men’s singles semi-final 1
Wednesday 11am
Tony Wood (Clayton, Vic)
Mathew Rennix (Altona, Vic)
Men’s singles semi-final 2
Thursday 9am
Andrew Howie (Tuggeranong Valley)
Mark Nitz (Burnie, Tas)
