Anderson on track in the Singles

MICHAEL ANDERSON

LOCAL hope Mick Anderson has found his touch at the right time, crushing Summerland Pairs winner Chris Herdon 21-7 to book his spot in the quarter-finals of the Summerland Singles at the Ballina Bowling Club.

Anderson was a surprise early casualty in the pairs last week but cruised through to the final day of the singles with his confidence sky high.

The Ballina club greenkeeper opened up an early lead in his post-sectional match and had 19-year-old Herdon chasing him all the way.

“I just had him under pressure early and he started trying different things,” Anderson said.

“The name of the game is to put them under pressure; he kept trying short ends, but I love short ends.

“Singles is definitely my go, I get to play my own game and it’s all about finding a rhythm.”

Anderson is confident he has found his groove just in time, with a big match today against Clay Parker (Raymond Terrace) for a spot in the final four.

“I would definitely back myself now,” Anderson said.

“I have played Parker a few times in the past and done pretty well against him.”

Parker, who is playing in his first Summerland tournament, was runner-up to Steve Glasson in the 2004 Australian championships but maintains a fairly relaxed approach to the occasion.

“I have made it this far so my form must be all right,” he said.

“But I just worry about the game when the time comes; anything can happen.

“I have beaten heaps of Australian reps and I have been beaten by mugs.”

In other quarter-final action today, Michael Petrove (Brunswick Heads) faces Jamie Eichorn (Yamba); Brendan Baker (Armidale City) takes on Kris Lehfeldt (Pottsville); and Ballina youngster Reece Wilson comes up against former Australian representative Ian Taylor.

Former Summerland Singles champion Neil Burgess had a remarkable day on Saturday.

Burgess lost 21-0 to former State pairs champion Craig Scott (Kensington) in the first round of sectional play but hit back strongly.

Burgess won his next two games and Scott lost the next two, and Burgess went within just two shots of progressing from his section.

State singles champ Michael Anderson, who is through to the quarter-finals, lost 21-0 in sectional play last year.