Patterson upsets Price
Co-operative Funeralcare International Open played at Newton Hall, Blackpool Bassendean’s Daniel Patterson won 11 out of 16 ends on his way to a comprehensive victory over John Price (Wales), currently 11 in the world rankings, in the first round of the Co-operative Funeralcare International Open played at Newton Hall, Blackpool.
After a couple of loose ends, Patterson, 25, was the quickest settle and seemed the more comfortable playing at least 28 ½ metres to the maximum 30 ½ metres in length. The vastly experienced Price, a World Indoor Singles Champion and Commonwealth Games silver-medallist, was struggling to find his range which allowed the WA youngster to skip to a 9-1 lead after seven ends.
The Welshmen final applied some pressure with two close bowls but when his third bowl fell short, Patterson knew he had wrapped up the first set with an end to spare.
Known affectionately as ‘Pup’, the 2013 National Champion of Champions runner-up was back in control of the mat for the second set and with some good fortune again made the steadier start, leading 4-0 after four ends. Frustration was now telling as Price missed with two drives; Patterson almost taking full advantage with three close counters. Had he nudged the jack with last, it may well have been four.
Completely in control, Patterson was able to restrict his opponent to just singles over the following two ends and though he was three down on what may have been the penultimate end, Patterson opted for controlled weight on the backhand rather than a forehand drive to once again limit the count and knockout his more fancied rival.
Price was frank in his assessment after the game.
“I didn’t play well enough. From the first end I didn’t feel them; Dan was always a bit more consistent than me. I think he would probably say even he struggled on some ends as well. It was a scrappy old game but he was better than me and full credit to him. Hopefully he’ll go on and do well.”
Patterson agreed that it wasn’t a high standard game but was happy he did just enough to advance.
“The first end was a bit scrappy and to get away with one was a bit fortunate. It was completely different to when we rolled up.
When asked about the prospect of facing World Number 2 Robert Paxton in the next round, Patterson remarked, “[There is] certainly a long way to go yet and a hard game next whoever it is; I’ve got to play a lot better than that.”
