In a nail-biting competition Burnett Bowls Club’s Hannah Ogden has been crowned the U18 Girls Junior State Singles Champion.
Seven local junior bowlers and three coaches travelled to the 2022 Bowls Queensland Junior State Championships in Toowoomba for six days of competition.
The final match between Hannah and her rival, Chloe Runge (Glasshouse), was a spectacular end to the competition as family, fellow bowlers and their coaches watched on in suspense.
Junior development officer for Burnett Bowls Club and Bundaberg District Des Kemp said it was fantastic to watch such a competitive game.
“It was very close all the way through – a quality game that was shot-for-shot all the way,” Des said.
Hannah Ogden takes win in nail-biter
During the enthralling match, Chloe took the lead early before Hannah clawed her way back to level the green.
It was then shot-for-shot until Hannah pulled through, with her last bowl in hand she remained calm, and just after her bowl collided with another of her own drawing fear inside the 17-year-old, she nudged in front and took the win with a final score of 21-19.
“This match definitely meant a lot to me as it’s my last year of junior competition,” Hannah said.
“It took a lot of concentration, with the conditions I had to remember the wind, and also worry about what Chloe’s next move would be,” Hannah said.
“I was tired by the end of the match.
“I was hoping to draw-in with my last bowl and the breeze took it, but it wasn’t until I approached the end that I realised and thought ‘oh, wow! I did it – it was so good’.”
Hannah said playing bowls was in the family, with her sister and cousins all playing and it was nice to have them on the sideline with her mum and aunt watching her in her final match.
“There are a lot of emotions, especially when you realise how hard you’ve worked to get there,” she said.
“I’d definitely recommend bowls to other young people.
“I think sometimes it’s a bit underestimated but when you go to the carnivals and have new experiences and meet new people from all around, they are definitely experiences you don’t forget.”
Des said the Bowls Queensland Junior State Championships continued to get better year after year, with strong juniors making their way up the ranks from all over Queensland.
“All our kids performed really well,” he said.
“It was a great competition, where we got to see the up-and-coming talent from all over Queensland.
“Some players and their families travelled from as far as Weipa and Cooktown, that’s 29 hours travelling in the car, so it shows the dedication to the sport.
“The games are livestreamed, and they receive a lot of views, and this really helps.”
Des said next week the Wide Bay Challenge for senior players would start, with the first game held at Burnett Bowls Club, and as Hannah Ogden turns 18 this year they looked forward to her joining in.
