In the first of the quarter final matches at Potters Resort here today on quarter finals day of the Ladies World Indoor Matchplay defending champion Ellen Falkner safely negotiated the opening hurdle as she bids to retain the ‘Just.’ Ladies Matchplay singles title, overcoming Scotland’s Claire Johnston.
After being narrowly knocked out of the Mixed Pairs with partner Rob Paxton yesterday, she once again had to dig deep in the opening set against the Scot. The scoreline was tied at 4-4 and despite scoring on only one of the remaining three ends, the set finished all square at 7-7.
She broke away over the first half of the second set, scoring on four of the first five ends to open up a 5-1 lead, and although both players scored on two each of the last four ends, Falkner had done enough in the early stages to maintain her advantage and win the set 7-3. Falkner goes through to the semi finals on the 25th ( Wednesday) in the afternoon where she plays the winner of the Janice Gower (E) v Katy Smith (E) match from later today.