The final four competitors were were determined on the Taieri and Forbury Park greens yesterday.
The two were in action on the Forbury Park greens, with Edwards, who last won the women’s singles title in 2011, accounting for Tessa Hocking in the fourth round 21-11.
Results were all at sea at the bottom end of the Forbury Park draw, where defending pairs champion Dale Rayner (Johnsonville) took an early exit at the hands of Amy McIlroy (Stoke), who in turn was eliminated by Hocking.
Hocking then succumbed to the skill of Edwards in the fourth round 21-1.The top end of the draw was dominated by defending singles champion Selina Goddard (Carlton Cornwall) and Smith (Merrylands), who faced off in the fourth round to decide who progressed through to meet Edwards in the one of the semifinals. Smith defeated Goddard in a tight encounter 21-19.
Preparation rituals were key to Ashleigh Jeffcoat (Frankton Junction) and Katelyn Inch (Broadbeach).
Jeffcoat’s ritual involved toast spread with butter and Marmite with a side serving of meringue.
After finding herself down 12-6 in the first round to Gill Swale (Te Rangi), she recovered to win 21-17 and rediscover her mojo, which carried her through undefeated in the remaining rounds. With Jeffcoat playing off the top of the draw, Inch’s pre-play ritual of accounting for nerves also paid dividends.
She skips breakfast but has a superstitious approach with tidying up, making the bed and being sure she has properly prepared the same clothes to wear, should she have had success the previous day, to avoid jinxing herself.
This process paid off with convincing wins over fellow Blackjacks Serena Matthews 21-7 and Tayla Bruce 21-7, but it was a close call against Natarsha Grimshaw (Papakura).
At 18-18, Grimshaw erred while Inch pounced on the head drawing three shots to clinch the match 21-18.
