Gail Fraser defeated Jim Neely 31-28 to take out the McGrath senior singles title, rejecting the saying the ladies can not match the men on the bowling green.
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Marker Glen Giese had to call for an extra scorecard as the match went to 45 ends which further placed the odds against Fraser.
In the last three days Fraser has played 152 ends of bowls to take out the title not to mention the earlier round matches before reaching the final stages
If she has not offered the title of Iron Lady, I don't know how else we can describe her.
This turned out to be a great final, Fraser wanted a good start and got it leading, 17-8 after 19 ends.
She then turned on a display of draw shot bowls that still had Fraser in a comfortable position after 25 ends leading 21-10.
Jim Neely, who has represented Zone Five, tried hard to get back into the match and gradually started to claw his way back. A scorecard has 40 ends marked on it and marker Glen Giese had to call for a new card to complete the match.
At the 40 end mark Fraser had a 28-26 lead and finally the match was on a knife's edge.
After having a fair share of the match and completely in control, Fraser suddenly found that the match was all square 28-all after 42 ends.
On what proved to be the last three ends, Fraser pulled out some big shots with draw and on shots to come away with the title with a three-shot win.
After such a long match the spectators gave both players a standing ovation. It was a great final with spells of brilliant play and endurance.
After this the pennant season cannot come quick enough.
Congratulations to Gail Fraser who, after a career at tennis, took up the game of lawn bowls and found with dedication and training that anything is possible.
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