New Zealand's women's singles specialist Val Smith fulfilled a pact made more than 20 years ago to her late parents, Daisy and Charlie, by striking gold in the world bowls championships in Christchurch yesterday.
Smith followed the men's pairs success of Gary Lawson and Russell Meyer on Fridayby overcoming the talented England representative, and a close personal friend, Ellen Falkner, 21-13 in the final.
An emotional Smith said afterwards she had lost both parents within 12 months 20-odd years ago and made a promise then that she would honour their memory by doing something major in sport.
"I always knew something big was going to happen in my life and I knew it would be in sport though whatever it was and in which one, I didn't know," she said.
Smith trailed Falkner early in yesterday's match 8-3, but even though she had lost to Falkner in the section match, Smith had remained calm, which team coach Dave Edwards says is one of her greatest qualities.
"What got me through was patience," Smith said. "I just kept saying to myself that I've just got to keep getting them close."
From 8-3 down, Smith had a purple patch over the middle ends to take a 15-8 lead. Though Falkner whittled that lead back, including a marvellous draw bowl to save when she was three down on one end, Smith remained in control. She showed her quality on the last end when she took the mat and immediately gained a toucher.
Smith shares a lawn-mowing business in Nelson with her partner Charlie Edgarton and said the six months taken off to prepare for these championships had been worthwhile.
The final was played in fine spirit, with Falkner gracious in defeat. "Val's a lovely person as well being a great bowler," she said.
Much as she relished her singles success yesterday, Smith was now looking forward to adding a second gold in the pairs with her close Nelson friend, Jo Edwards. "That would be the icing on the cake," she said.
Smith had been something of a surprise choice to fill the singles berth, but Dave Edwards said she was selected because of her mental toughness and tenacity.
