Smith brothers win it with last bowl
Men’s State Pairs Wrap Brothers Aaron (York) and Nathan Smith (Bassendean) caused a major upset when they took out the 2017 Bowls WA Men’s State Pairs championship winning the final at Doubleview Bowling Club on Friday. They combined as one of the youngest pairings to have claimed the title being just 22 and 26 years old respectively and in doing so showed nerves of steel winning all their knock out matches by less than three shots.
They defeated defending champions Shane Knott and Anthony Williams (Manning) who endured a tough run throughout their campaign to make the final.
It was a high quality final in difficult conditions with a blustering wind around for most of the game that went right down to the last bowl of an extra end.
The match didn’t start well for the Smith’s as they trailed early after dropping a five on the second end but took the lead via a false shot from Knott a few ends later. Trying to remove a bowl to make a number he narrowly missed and back cut the jack to drop three shots.
This gave the Smith’s the momentum which they used to go on an unanswered run to build a 15-5 lead at the halfway point of the 18 end fixture.
The Manning boys began to rally, Knott in particular starting to draw very well as they stormed back to put the brothers under pressure.
As a consequence the Smith boys went away from the game style that built them their lead and began to use more weight than they had been. In the ends 10-17 Smith was outscored 1-14 to be behind by three shots going into the last end.
Holding two Aaron Smith played his final bowl looking to remove an opposition bowl and stay for four and the win, on target he managed to clip half the bowl turning it out but causing his bowl to run out of the head for three.
The draw meant an extra end which Williams started well with two good shots. Knott trailed the jack with his second, keeping shot but putting the jack into a dangerous area.
By Aaron Smith’s last bowl he had two seconds and a two bowl wide target. Playing a runner he looked close to pick up the jack but a collision with one of his second shots caused him to get out the shot bowl to hold game. Knott had a chance to run the now shot bowl out of the head but missed tight, giving the Smiths the title.
The win is the first open division title for either of the brothers and adds to the honours they gained in Under 18 competition. They were warmly congratulated by family and friends present.
To view photos and live streaming replays of the Finals visit Bowls WA Facebook Page
All results from the Men’s State Pairs click here
