DEFENDING champion Aaron Teys and six-time winner Karen Murphy, a Shoalhaven Heads product, were denied a brilliant double triumph for the South Coast in the Australian Indoor Bowls Singles following thrilling finals at Tweed Heads BC.
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Robert Briglia came from a set and 3-0 down against Teys to win in a tiebreak 2-10, 15-9 (3-1), while Murphy also took the first set against reigning Australian Open Pairs champion Genevieve Delves 10-0 but lost the second set 10-3, with Delves taking a tense tiebreak 5-0.
It was the first Australian Indoor Singles title for Victorian Briglia and Raymond Terrace-based Delves, who will now represent Australia in the revamped World Cup in England next year.
Teys showed great sportsmanship after missing narrowly with his final bowl to congratulate Briglia with a spontaneous embrace and then raising his rival's arm to salute his triumph.
The classy image was even more striking given Teys came within the whisker of taking the match to a fourth extra end, with a measure needed to confirm Briglia's victory.
Related content: Final shot triumph for Shoalhaven Heads in champions pairs
It was a great tournament for South Coast bowlers who qualified in the elite 32 draw.
Warilla's Pam Willetts won three games to make the semi-finals before bowing out to Karen Murphy, who also beat Fairy Meadow junior Dawn Hayman.
Warilla junior Samantha Noronha, who now plays for Engadine also made the semi-finals, while Oak Flats' Gary Sampson lost a tough first round match against Australian star Barry Lester in a tie-break.
The big names at the 2019 Australian Indoor Singles included Aron Sherriff, Dane McKinnon and Ben Twist in the men's field and Natasha Scott, Kristina Krstic and Carla Krizanic in the women's draw.
