Sherriff adds a bronze medal to trophy cabinet
Aron Sherriff has won Australia’s fourth team medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and became the 12th individual Australian bowler to walk away with a medal from Glasgow by winning a bronze medal in the men’s singles overnight. Sherriff won his maiden Commonwealth Games medal when he defeated New Zealand’s Shannon McIlroy 21-8 in a one-sided showdown on the scoreboard but an entertaining one on the green. Both players have tremendous respect for each other which was evident when they embraced to wish each other luck at the start of the match. But that was where the pleasantries ended as both players fought hard in a tough encounter. Sherriff has made no secret of the fact that he was focussing on ensuring he delivered quality first bowls and throughout the match achieved that with a high percentage of first bowls close that kept applying pressure to McIlroy. Aside from the first end where McIlroy took a one shot advantage, Sherriff never looked under threat. It wasn’t until the 10th end that McIlroy gained another shot, but Sherriff had already ballooned out to 13 at the same stage. Sherriff just didn’t miss and quickly the match was virtually over at 16-2. McIlroy had other ideas and tried valiantly to get back into the match when from the thirteenth to the eighteenth end he outscored Sherriff six shots to two to have some in the crowd suggesting that a comeback was imminent – and somewhat desired – by the appreciative crowd who knew they were watching two fine craftsman at work. Again, as he so often is, Sherriff was up to the task and played controlled weight to sit the McIlroy bowl and it was all over. A jubilant Sherriff punched the air and raised an arm to the crowd which was met with cheers of delight. After the match, National Coach Steve Glasson was a very proud ‘Dad’ of Aron’s achievement today. “He played great bowls today Aron, he’s played really well all week and deserved to win today. “Take nothing away from Shannon (McIlroy) though, he played well too,” Glasson said. Fittingly both players embraced at the end of the match but it was clear this was to be Sherriff’s day. “I left my best performance to last, I really felt confident today,” Sherriff said post-match “The bowls were really coming out well and my first bowl was a strength today.” “I’ve been training hard and working on my fitness, and now it’s over I can’t wait to get home to my family,” Sherriff said who has expecting wife Amanda and daughter Zoe at home in Budgewoi. “Once I catch up with them, I’ll go to my club (Ettalong Memorial) and I’m sure we’ll celebrate.”
