SHE’S been called the “Lady Killer” since she bowled over the men at Clovelly Bowling Club’s annual open singles championships.

On December 18, Maroubra octogenarian Joan Cooper made history as the first woman to win the competition in its nine years.

“The girls were absolutely ecstatic,” Ms Cooper, who has lived at Maroubra for more than 45 years, said.

“It was the most exciting day of my life. There was a big crowd, I’d say about 80. We had a big lunch and all the girls were there, I had to make a speech.”

The 83-year-old, who’s bowled at Clovelly for 30 years, said it felt great to have her name carved on the trophy.

“One of the fellows, Bruce, who does the trophies, is going to give me a cup for myself,” Ms Cooper said.

She faced off against a former club champion in the final. “He was the last to get my wrath, and he can’t forget it. The men are all the same, ‘how can you let a woman beat you?’ It’s a very competitive game and it’s lovely to win.”

Since first playing lawn bowls, Ms Cooper has seen the game change for women, including a uniform update from traditional whites with pantyhose to comfortable attire.

“Women had to wear stockings, but all that’s gone now,” she said. “I carried a doctor’s note around for nearly two years to say I couldn’t wear the stockings. We have coloured uniforms now,” she said.

Clovelly men’s bowling club vice-president, Daniel Broad, said no women ever made the semi-finals before Ms Cooper’s outright victory. “The crowd were definitely on their feet. She had a little mini grandstand going,” Mr Broad said.