The victory was all the sweeter for the Englishman after disappointing early exits at previous competitions this season had left him focused and determined to secure his first ever major title at the club.
Another bumper field of 24 participants entered the final individual competition of the year at the hallowed greens of Kamala Lawn Bowls Club, with 8 leagues of 3 deployed, with the winners advancing to the quarter-finals.
Many were hoping to avoid being drawn against the reigning champion Sunee “Aon” Sriraska-Sampert, who created history last year by becoming the first ever female singles winner. However, a finger injury had hampered Aon in recent weeks, causing her to change her grip on the bowl, and proving her undoing as she fell early in the competition.
Advancing from their leagues unbeaten were Sureeton “Wan” Sirimuangjuan, Vorada “Nidnoi” Jarinki-Collins, “Dunking” Duncan Kennedy and Pat Alm, while Dorothy “Dot” Barker, Ulf “Ue” Egertstad, Ken “Sammy” Sampert and “The Mesh” progressed on points difference.
Wan beat Dot 7-5 in the first quarter-final, Pat edged past Duncan, while Nidnoi dispatched Sammy 10-5 and previous winner Ue’s title charge was ended by “The Mesh” who delivered a comprehensive score of 10-2.
The semi-finals saw a full 10 ends played in the searing heat, meaning the players really had to call on their energy reserves.
The Thai ladies Wan and Nidnoi faced off in the first encounter, with Wan eventually triumphing by a score of 9-6.
“The Mesh” led Pat 6-3 after 5 ends in the other semi-final, then increased the gap to 4 points with just 3 ends remaining before steady and conservative bowling saw him ease through by 11-6.
Awe-inspiring
Wan and “The Mesh” were both looking for their first singles title. Both had won doubles finals before, while “The Mesh” had previously won two plate finals for those defeated in the first round of competition. Wan had played a singles final previously and was hoping to go one better on this occasion.
“The Mesh” took an early 4-2 lead before a schoolboy error in end 5 where he knocked himself off shot saw the gap reduced to just 1 point.
That one mistake aside, the standard of bowling by both players was top-class, leaving onlooking spectators genuinely in awe and after 6 ends it was all square at 4-4 with 4 ends to go.
End 7 saw “The Mesh” take a 3 point lead before Wan clawed her way back to leave the score at 7-6 going into the final end.
With just one delivery left in the competition Wan was holding 2 and on course for victory, placing the pressure firmly on her opponent.
However, “The Mesh” proved to be as cool as a cucumber as he bowled an absolute ‘wordly’ to displace Wan’s seemingly championship winning bowls, to pick up another 3-pointer and emerge victorious by a final score of 10-6.
The final delivery by “The Mesh” epitomised the awe-inspiring standard of the final, with Wan winning 6 of the 10 ends and the eventual champion managing triple 3-pointer scores. It must be noted too that the final was contested in the most sporting and cheerful manner by both players.
It was commiserations to Wan but the perfect ending for “The Mesh”, who ironically had started the day off with a loss in his first league game. However, that would prove to be his only blemish as he held the lead at all times in the remainder of his games. A man on a mission, “The Mesh” proved he wasn’t messing around as he confidently progressed and ultimately claimed his first singles title at the Kamala Bowls Club.
Kamala Lawn Bowls club is open six days a week and all equipment is provided. Members days are Monday and Friday and beginners day Wednesday from 2:45pm onwards. For more information please contact: Tel 099-130-7255 or 097-173-0221; email: galations1402@gmail.com or Gordonjenkins1963@gmail.com.