Lorraine Malloy from Scotland, a Quarter Finalist in last year’s Hong Kong International Bowls Classic Women’s Singles competition, took a giant step forward by winning the singles title on her second attempt.
Her success was all the more sweeter as she took revenge over Sonia Bruce from the Philippines, who dumped her out of the competition in the last 16 last year.
After defeating Bruce in the third round, Malloy went on to beat local player Candy Leung from Kowloon Bowling Green Club and Australian youngster Carla Odgers to reach the Final, where she faced Maila Witheridge from the Philippines.
Witheridge, who bowled superbly in the earlier rounds and ousted World No.4 Val Smith from New Zealand in their Semi-final, dominated the first set and finished it comfortably with a scoreline of 10:4.
In the second set, Witheridge suddenly lost the touch after leading briefly at the first three ends. Malloy took the chance to get two shots in each from the next four ends to force the game into a three-end tie-breaker.
During the tie-breaker Witheridge failed to re-group and lost all three ends, conceding seven shots on the way.
Malloy became the second Scottish woman to win the trophy since it was introduced in 2008.
Malloy, who operates a coffee shop in Bathgate, is exceptionally delighted at winning the title.
“I can’t believe I won it because I played so bad in the first set,” said Malloy. “The green was really heavy and I roll the bowl short.
“In the second set I managed my weight better and it also helped me to take the tie-breaker.
“The changing pace of the green during the day also made it more difficult to play. It was the rain in the morning, then the wind dried up the green, forced us keep adapting to the green situation.
“And the fact that my opponent played very well, so this is definitely a good win for me,” said Malloy.
Malloy has won a number of indoor and outdoor singles titles in England and Scotland, and has represented Scotland in the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Claudius Lam is an Officer with the Hong Kong Lawn Bowls Association.
