Holt hits hot form in Singles win
Men’s State Singles wrap Warren Holt is the first country bowler in over three decades to be State Singles champion claiming his maiden state title at Manning on Monday.
His 25-21 victory over Mitch Cranswick made the Wagin product his clubs first ever winner and the first country player since Bunbury’s Bill Upton in 1987 to win the event.
It would have been history either way with Cranswick being first finalist from Claremont since 1939 and the first winner for the club since 1920. Cranswick was unheralded coming into the event having only played a handful of Premier League games for his previous club Doubleview.
Holt was very impressive in his semi final against Peter Madigan winning 25-11 and would have been the favourite based both on previous results and the morning form, Cranswick just getting the better of Doubleview’s Charlie Slavich in a marathon 3 hour match 25-21.
In the final Cranswick was the better starter though getting out to an 8-4 lead to start the game. He held that lead until Holt equalised at 11-11 and the lead went back and forth until a three gave Holt an 18-14 buffer.
However seven shots in three ends by Cranswick, including the game’s only four, gave him back the lead and put him an end away from victory at 21-18. A three for Holt was important as he equalised straight away before digging deep to find a way to score four ones in row.
Although slow it got him to the magical 25 and gave him his first title having made numerous semi-finals in country week and open events.
It clearly meant a lot for Holt to have finally got over the line as he received his award in front of his support.
“It’s just incredible to win this,” he said.
“I’m humbled, I’ll cherish this for the rest of my life.”
Results from the State Singles Championships
