WHITEFIELD bowler Jo Smith won the Ighten Mount Ladies Open Singles sponsored by Althams Travel, when she won all the final day rounds in impressive style.

In fact, Jo was the solitary out-of-town finals day qualifier, yet in contrast to her opponents, looked at home on the big expansive green.

After winning her quarter-final with points to spare, Jo followed up with a brilliant display in the semi final against Mavis Hancock.

All her lead bowls were extremely accurate and in nearly every instance, she made a brace with her second bowl.

From a level 3-3 start, Jo put together a remarkable 15 that left her luckless opponent with an impossible task.

The Whitefield wizard followed up with another excellent performance against Joan Sidebottom in the final.

There was nothing between them in the early stages but from 5-5, Jo swept 15-8 in front which virtually sealed the outcome.

To her credit, Joan never gave up but never got into the game, and eventually conceded 21-14.

Certainly Joan had her task made that much more difficult after a long, semi final battle with Burnley team-mate Ann Crossley. Joan played some of her best bowls as she built a commanding 19-12 and looked home and dry.

However, Ann had other ideas and when she got into her stride cut back the deficit, and even went in front at 20-19.

In a thrilling last end Joan scored the vital points to win her place in the final by the narrowest of margins 21-20.

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