The Indian Women’s Lawn Bowls team scripted history on Tuesday as they beat South Africa in the Women’s Four Final to bring the first-ever medal for India in the sport. India beat South Africa 17-10 to bring the laurel to the country. The quartet of Lovely Choubey, Pinky, Rupa Rani Tirkey, and Nayanmoni Saikia played some sensible games to clinch a high-pressure match.
The game started with South Africa gaining a lead after End 1. But India were quick to bounce back as they earned two crucial points in End 2. The game progressed with both teams going for a neck-to-neck battle. Both India and South Africa played cautiously to remain in the hunt for the gold medal. After End 3, Africa leveled the score but after that, it was India that gained a back-to-back lead. India quickly moved to 8-2.
However, South Africa slowly started gaining an upper hand as they won points in back-to-back ends. They shortly leveled the score and also leaped ahead of India. But the Indian quartet of Lovely, Pinki, Rupa, and Nayanmoni slowly crawled back into the game and never allowed South Africa to make a comeback.
We had goosebumps: Rupa Rani
The first-ever team to win a CWG medal in Lawn Bowls reacted to the historic win. Rupa Rani Tirkey said that the team members had goosebumps when the national anthem was played. "I feel very proud. We had goosebumps (when we took to the podium & National Anthem was played). We had never thought of it but it became possible today," Rupa Rani Tirkey told ANI.
Nayanmoni Saikia the other member of the historic gold-winning team, said that throughout the game they did not lose hope and that the communication between the team help them to secure the points against South Africa. "Our morale went a little down when they levelled 1-1. But we didn't lose hope. We talked to each other and understood that we can do it. We will secure one point at a time and cover it," Nayanmoni Saikia said.