Slavich & Opie Masters Pairs Champions
Doubleview’s John Slavich has combined with South Perth’s Justin Opie to win the Nexus Doubleview Masters Pairs yesterday defeating Osborne Park’s Blake Nairn and Robbie Lawrence 21-14 in the final. It was certainly a class final with all four players having won a State Singles or Pairs championship.
A full field of 64 quality sides began the popular event looking to take home a share of the $5,000 prize money but as the tournament went on these two teams emerged from the rest as the stand outs. The Osborne Park duo of Blake Nairn and Robbie Lawrence dominated the bottom half of the draw with a comprehensive run to the final with wins 22-5 versus Trewhella/Rochford, 22-11 over Margin/McKay and 24-8 against Rollnik and Vandersluys however they found the class of Slavich and Opie too hot to handle in the final. Likewise Slavich and Opie had cut a swathe through the top half with strong wins, 20-12 over Walker/Pauling, 27-14 against Griffin/Reagan and 18-8 over Gryta/Morgan before winning the final.
Like they had done all tournament Slavich and Opie who were teaming up for the first time as a pairing started well to lead 2-0, they then built on that to lead 9-3 after six ends to open up a handy advantage. As the game progressed Nairn and Lawrence were able to win ends but could never seriously breach the margin with them always around 6-8 shots behind on the scoreboard. Slavich and Opie just too consistent with great drawing and solid conversions when needed in a class display.
For Slavich this win in his second in the Dyenamic Masters Series and he takes a big lead in the Champion bowler of the series with just the Mixed Pairs to come. It was also perfect preparation for the upcoming Bowls Premier League BPL09 in New Zealand starting February 25th.
The next event on the Masters Series Calendar is the Key Choice Mosman Park Ladies Masters Singles which begins this Friday.
