Well decorated Hong Kong international Angela Chau from the United Service Recreation Club won her fourth Women’s National Knock-out Singles title after a long day of hard work last Sunday Jan 19.
This season’s event was originally scheduled for Dec 15 last year, but was postponed due to poor weather. As a result, the number of entrants also dropped from the original 146 to 119.
Chau, who has won more than 20 national titles in her 28-year bowling career, won the KO Singles title in 1999, 2004 and 2007. She was a defeated finalist two years ago.
“I made some silly mistakes when I was leading in that Final, so I have vowed to make amends for what happened,” said Chau.
Chau’s journey began with a game against China International May Poon.
“This is probably the most difficult game I have in the whole competition because she played really well,” said Chau. “Fortunately I adjusted well to the green conditions and got away with a result.”
Chau won the game 13:9 and moved on to defeat five more players to reach the Final.
She faced ex-USRC team-mate Candy Ng, who has only played bowls for 4 years and now plays for Club de Recreio, in the Final.
“I know Candy’s bowling style quite well because we had been playing together as a team for quite some time,” said Chau.
Chau began the game with the head at a short distance because she thought it better fit her tired body. She got the results desired and opened up a lead of 8:0 after just five ends.
Ng crawled back slowly to 9:5 after winning two shots in the ninth end. She tried to play a long end and set the jack at the maximum distance, however Chau showed a better adaptability to the distance change and claimed four in this end.
From then on it was all downhill for Ng and the game soon finished at 17:6. Ng won her second title runners-up this season. Her other narrow miss was in the National Indoor Singles a few months back.
A delighted Chau said that she enjoyed the competition very much.
“I played well on different greens today.
“I won the Final because I concentrated throughout and did not underestimate my opponent, despite her having much less experience than me.”
“At first I think that it will be good to play short because I am a bit tired and I did get results from them. Then Candy played a long end and I just adjusted to it and got even better results,” concluded Chau.
Meanwhile, Ng was not too disappointed about the result
“I performed quite well today despite the fact that all of the opponents are very strong,” said Ng. “In the Final I think it is my lack of experience that cost me the game.
“I think I have over-achieved with the two runners-up this year. I will be growing stronger with more experience and keep challenging for more honours,” vowed a confident Ng.
The National Knock-out Singles has a tradition of playing all games within one day, representing a tough test on physical fitness, mental toughness and stamina of the competitors. This year the competition was played at eight different venues throughout Hong Kong.
Claudius Lam is an Officer with the Hong Kong Lawn Bowls Association.
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