Trophies and accolades continue to stack up for star Leeston bowler Sandra Keith as she added her second national title to already full coffers today at the national club championships in Invercargill.
Skipping the winning women's pairs team alongside clubmate Valmai Hantz, the national open singles champion rounded out a "pretty hard year to beat'' by clinching the final match against Riverside's Bobbie Beattie (skip) and Francie Adair, 19-10, at the Waverley Bowling Club.
Already leading the field going into the first round of the day, Keith and Hantz maintained their momentum with an initial win over Lindsay Grant (skip) and Dolly Welch (Coromandel), 26-7.
But nothing was certain until the Cantabrians picked up the pace in the final game, allowing themselves a few wide smiles and plenty of jokes as the coveted title drew near.
Two national titles in one year is no mean feat, but Keith has claimed further prizes in her stellar season of bowls and she will have a chance to make it a hat-trick in the triples that start tomorrow.
The 44-year-old Ashburton resident has also won three Canterbury centre titles - in the pairs, triples and fours - and a North East Valley pairs tournament with a healthy monetary prize.
Today's success trumps all others, however, especially since Keith and Hantz have never played as a pairs team before and it is Hantz's first national title.
"It's been a busy year and I'm looking forward to the off-season,'' Keith said.
"Valmai's good to play with, she's been a great lead the whole tournament and we get on well. I said `You just do what you want to do, and I'll change it if it doesn't seem right'. She let me do my own thing as well, so there was no arguing.''
When questioned about the secret to her stunning season, a look of wonder and delight came over her as she let out a hearty laugh.
"I don't put too much pressure on myself. I just relax and go out and play. If you start worrying about having to win, that's when it all turns to custard. You can only play your best; if it doesn't work, so be it.''
It's the approach many professional athletes take to towards their sport, and one which has made her something of a leading light at the small, rural Leeston club, which boasts less than 50 members.
Keith, who also plays at her old club Allenton (Ashburton), joined the Leeston women so that she could play in the Canterbury premier sevens competition, but the move has certainly proven to be an auspicious one.
"Well, we all get on well. That's the main thing,'' she said.
Keith will join former New Zealand representative Serena Matthews and Karolyn Boon as skip of the Leeston triples side tomorrow at the national club championships, giving her an opportunity to close the season in true style.
"It would be nice to pick that one up as well,'' Keith said with a hopeful chuckle. "We've got a good chance. It's hard work out there, but it's the same for everyone.''
Whether she earns yet another title or not, Keith has already grabbed the attention of national selectors and has been a part of the Black Jacks development squad since February.
The 23-year bowls veteran will also don the silver fern this October in Cyprus for the prestigious world champion of champions singles tournament.
