Collie’s Gary Keep Men’s Over 60’s Singles Champ
Played Monday 5th, Tuesday 6th and Wednesday 7th February Collie’s Gary Keep is the first country winner of the State Men’s Over 60’s Singles championship winning the final 21-15 at Sorrento Bowling Club on Wednesday.
The historic moment was guaranteed when his opponent Peter Nicolay (Halls Head) defeated Steve O’Neill, the last remaining metro player, 21-15 in the semi-final.
It continues the country’s most successful year in decades following Warren Holt’s open singles win as well as Aaron Smith’s pairs title with brother Nathan.
Keep was on fire early in the match and completely dominated the early part of the game.
He shot out to 12-2 lead in some style, consistently nailing the jack.
Nicolay on the other hand struggled under the pressure put on him by his opponent, having a number of loose heads in the opening stanza.
It looked like the final could be over quickly with Keep consistently holding numbers.
But in a game where the first bowl was key Nicolay started getting on it first more often to rally.
He evened up the heads and got to 16-5 to stop the haemorrhaging.
The end that was to follow was Nicolay’s best of the match yet as he held good shots before a good result got Keep the shot.
A bomb of a reply from Nicolay however earnt him four shots which he followed up with a two and three to get the score back to 16-14.
With the game back on Keep got back to nailing it to score three and Nicolay answered with a single.
With the score at 19-15 Keep held one and drew inside Nicolay’s closest beautifully for game and tournament.
Keep wasn’t content though and wanted to keep going before being reminded the match was only 21 up.
Keep was humble when accepting the trophy pointing out he entered to “have a hit out”.
“It’s a privilege and an honour to be champion,” he said.
“When you enter these events, I think you just think ‘oh well, I’ll come and have a hit out’.
“But it turned out really well and there were some really good bowls played.”
Last 16 Knockout Results
Full Knockout Results
Full Sectional Results
Full Knockout Schedule
