Walding claims Under 18 titles
Under 18 Championships Wrap The future of bowls looks to be in good hands with some exceptional talent taking to the Osborne Park Bowling Club greens over the last three days.
Fifteen competitors played in Triples, Pairs and Singles over the Saturday and Sunday April 8 and 9 with the Singles final taking place on Monday morning all in glorious conditions and on terrific greens hosted by Osborne Park Bowling Club.
Karratha’s Kaleb Walding continued on his sensational form after winning the country week singles to add another two titles to his ever expanding bowls resume winning the singles and pairs however he didn’t get it all his own way finishing runner-up in the triples.
The triples final saw promising junior and premier league player Patrick Quinlan (Osborne Park) teamed up with Marcus Simpson (Rockingham) and Cory Day (Carnarvon) who defeated Walding, Sam Gibbings (Carnarvon) and Jack East (Rossmoyne) 19-9. Quinlan’s team started the final with an opening score of four but when Walding returned a five just a few ends later and the score at 7-6 it looked like a close match was going to unfold. However Quinlan’s team proved a bit too consistent and a run of four winning ends saw them take a commanding 16-6 lead with four ends to play which ultimately proved the difference.
In the Pairs Walding teaming with Jack East snuck through a very competitive sectional play with two narrow wins. They where then pitted against Marcus Simpson and Samuel Gibbings who had upset pre-event favourites Quinlan and Day in sectional play 11-9 to progress to the final. Walding and East produced their best bowls together in the final going on to win without needing to play the last end 19-7.
The singles gave all players the opportunity to show their skill and hey didn’t let the supporters and onlookers down with some great bowls played. Sectional winners were Patrick Quinlan, Justin MacKay (Armadale), Jay D’Cruz (Osborne Park), Kaleb Walding and Cory Day.
Event favourites Quinlan and Walding progressed via knock out rounds to the much anticipated final where the first to score 21 shots would be crowned the champion. Both players produced a great game and displayed all the shots needed of an elite bowler and it was noticeable they nearly always played the right shot for the occasion. In the final Kaleb immediately found great line and length and took an early 8-0 lead. Quinlan however was able to win the next end and a tactic to shorten the length began to pay dividends as he started to make in-roads into the margin. With the score at 14-11 Walding picked up a very good three (shown left), all drawn close to the jack and another single when he drew shot with just inches of room available. On the next end Walding again had two very close bowls before an accurate drive saw then removed from the green to leave Quinlan with two and the score at 18-13. The next end Quinlan’s first two bowls where less than foot either side of the jack and looked an inviting target. Quinlan decided against trying to change the end and instead went for cover. Walding then resorted to just a yard of weight and played it perfectly to sit off the shot bowl and fall in behind the jack. Quinlan made perhaps the only rash decision of the game and decided to drive in the hope of killing the end. He was only a fraction off target but collected a short bowl which then took out his other close bowl giving Walding two counters and ample room to add another. Walding easily drew the counter needed and victory was his. Full credit to both players who have shown they have plenty of talent and a big future in the game.
Thank you to all the players and their families who participated and attended this event.
To see all the results of the Under 18 Championships click on the following links
Under 18 Championships Triples Results
Under 18 Championships Pairs Results
Under 18 Championships Singles Sectional Results
Under 18 Championships Singles Knockout Results
