Easy victories mark semi-final encounters

“I am quite happy with my game,” said Nonita, five-time winner of the National title, returning to the game after a two-year break because of her marriage and the baby. “I was sinking long and difficult putts for birdies, and was three up after four holes,” added Nonita. At the far-5 372-yard 15th, Nonita fired an eagle and it was virtually all over after that.

Nonita, who finished level par after the 16th, fired four birdies inall and she had no trouble with a three-foot putt for an eagle. On the two previous occasions they met, Nonita prevailed and in the final on both occasions.

“I feel I played fairly well. I was just one over at the turn. Of course I missed some putts I should not have and Nonita brought off some difficult ones. It is all part of the game,” was Vandana’s comments. Three down at the turn and two down after the 12th — that was the closest Vandana came to catching up with Nonita.

In the clash of teens, Parnita and Anjali halved the first three holes before Parnita struck a purple patch which saw her birdie the 4th, par the 5th and fired another par with a chip. This must have been very disconcerting for Anjali, who was never really in the match. Anjali missed a par putt on the 13th, and the chance of being only one down.

Parnita was content to play well within herself and at no stage stretched herself. This is reflected in her one-over after 16 holes with just two birdies. She followed the regulationpattern and her second birdie on the 15th virtually brought the match to an end.The last time the two met was three years back in the All-India when Parnita, making her debut, lost to Anjali in the second round. “I missed too many small putts. I did not mind losing to a birdie but I should have got my pars” was Anjali’s explanation.

The tussle for the Vikramaditya trophy (Bronze Division) will be all-Mumbai affair. Mohini Chaudhury scored a comfortable victory over Nobusko soft, of Japan, 6 and 5, and the Peetam Valy got the better of 1995 champion Situ Puri of Pune, 2 and one. Situ Puri, who was three down at the turn fought valiantly to be just one down after the 14th, thereafter Peetam Valy came into her own.