Nicole Toomey has broken through for her first New Zealand title, edging seven-time national champion Mandy Boyd in a thrilling women’s singles final at the Summerset Nationals in Auckland.

Toomey has come back from 18-14 down to score the next seven shots and win the race to 21.

“It’s pretty amazing. It’s been a goal of mine for a long, long time so it’s nice to finally get one in the books,” Toomey said.

“First big national title so hopefully onwards and upwards and a great start to 2021.”

And it’s another national title for her Victoria club in Wellington.

“I think that’s maybe eight or nine years in a row that we’ve managed to get a national title so they’re pretty stoked and already in there celebrating.

“It’s quite an achievement and there’ll be lots more celebrating when we’re back home later.”

Toomey earlier beat Connie Mathieson (Takapuna) 21-10 in the semi-finals after edging Karen Hema (Carlton Cornwall) 21-16 in the quarters.

But it was in the final where she had to dig the deepest.

“The nerves were there the whole game, even before the game but you just have to keep on top of it, keep drawing the shots and slowly get there.

“Just remembering how I’ve been playing and having that determination and motivation to keep going and plodding along and it’s first to 21 so you’ve got a whole game to keep going and keep finding those shots.”

It continues a golden summer for Nicole Toomey, who won the Bowls3Five title with the Stokes Valley Vipers last month.

And she plans to “keep plodding along” in the women’s pairs, starting tomorrow (January 5), playing with her good friend Tannith Potgieter.

Boyd will join forces with sister Angela as she renews her pursuit for an eighth national title.

Women’s singles results:

Quarter-finals: Mandy Boyd (Elmwood Park) beat Tayla Bruce (Burnside) 21-13, Linda Ralph (Carlton Cornwall) beat Rima Strickland (Grey Lynn) 21-10, Nicole Toomey (Victoria) beat Karen Hema (Carlton Cornwall) 21-16, Connie Mathieson (Takapuna) beat Patricia Murray (Kensington) 21-15

Semi-finals: Mandy Boyd beat Linda Ralph 21-11, Nicole Toomey beat Connie Mathieson 21-10

Final: Nicole Toomey beat Mandy Boyd 21-18