Kruger stamps her class in Pretoria

Esme Kruger won the BSA Women’s Open title on Sunday.

Esme Kruger showed why she is still one of the best players in the game as she claimed the Women’s Open BSA Masters title on Sunday.

Now playing out of Eden, the experienced campaigner took out of a lot of the guesswork happening during the final round of sectional play.

Kruger wrapped up her sectional play with six wins from seven matches - she lost her first to Fran Baleri before finding fifth gear to breeze past her challengers in the section.

A Sunday morning 21-17 win over Western Province’s Maggie van Zyl saw her safely into the final.

Last year’s winner Esme Haley finished second to earn a bronze medal.

Kruger’s opponent from Section 2 took some time to be determined with Colleen Piketh playing Bridget Herselman and Marizelle Rousseau up against Jax van Rensburg.

Van Rensburg turned on the style as she cruised to a convincing 21-14 win over the previously undefeated Rousseau, who was playing in front of a passionate home crowd.

That defeat meant Piketh would advance with a win over Herselman. In a thrilling match, Herselman showed why she is a regular player at the highest level as she produced an outstanding performance.

Piketh was forced to settle for a second consecutive bronze after missing with her last bowl to go down 19-21.

Into the final and it was a high-quality bowls contest as both players produced an array of shot-making.

The home-town favourite initially grabbed the ascendency although she was unable to pull too far in front of Kruger. The game turned on its head when Kruger went ahead for the first time in the match as she moved 15-14 in front after the 18th end.

Kruger powered home moving 17-14 in front before putting herself 20-16 ahead after 21 ends.

The drama wasn’t done yet as Rousseau played a drive being two down. Lady luck shone on Kruger, though, as the jack didn’t stay with the bowl and instead deflected to where she had the best back on the green.

The emotions poured out as she claimed one of the most sought after titles in bowls.

In the Women’s Veterans, Cherry-Ann Mills claimed the title after defeating Heather Pembroke.

In the Men’s Veterans, debutant Kevin Smith denied Neil Burkett the only title missing from his mantle place. Smith won an entertaining battle 21-20 with Burkett’s final bowl narrowly falling away from forcing Smith to draw for the game.

In the Men’s Juniors, Cecil Bornman claimed gold with Ernst Wagner forced to settle for silver while Thabelo Muvhango once against finished as runner-up after losing to Leila Snyman.

Marizelle Rousseau finished with silver in the Women’s Open.