Masters Triples to Nairn, Adams and Alden
Last years runner-ups became the champions in the Bassendean Men’s Masters Triples as Blake Nairn (Cambridge), Clive Adams (Cambridge) and Simon Alden (Bassendean) came out on top on the final day of competition.
The competition began the Sunday prior when 30 teams took the very well prepared greens to fight it out in qualifying play. The new format was well received with teams needing to finish in the top 8 positions based on wins and shots up after three matches. At the end of the day the qualifying ladder saw exactly 8 teams undefeated which meant no shots up countbacks where required.
The ultimate winners skipped by Nairn survived a very tough opener against the local Bassendean team of Eugene O’Sullivan, John Holman and Scott Bermingham overcoming a slow start before scoring a 3 on the last end to win by 1 shot and finish seventh in qualifying. The other seven qualifying teams were all extremely strong combinations, all having a big chance of claiming the title.
On a hot Sunday the final 8 began battle and saw the following results with Matt Mitchell winning 22-13 over Stewart Gosstray, John Slavich 15-8 over Steve Novak, Shane Knott 18-10 over Nic Reagan and Narin 19-14 over Glenn Pauling.
The semi finals provided the match of the day. Shane Knott (Manning) and his team of Anthony Williams (Doubleview) and Warren Holt (Wagin) were first to make it into the final winning 16-11 over Mitchell (Emu Point), Corey Bessant (Mt Lawley) and Dale Marlsand (Mosman Park). Two time Masters Triples champion John Slavich (Doubleview) looked like his team of Brad White (Doubleview) and Justin Opie (South Perth) might progress when they held a three shot lead over Nairn’s team in what had been a cracking game. However Nairn played the magic bowl of the tournament when after some discussion it was decided a drive was the way to go and he removed the closest opposition bowl to score a 4, win the game by 1 shot and head into the final full of confidence.
The final promised to be a top affair with Knott versus Nairn and both teams in really hot form however with Simon Alden leading superbly along with Adams and Nairn contributing strongly it meant the Knott team was always under pressure. Before you knew it Nairn had raced to a 15-1 after just 6 ends which included three scores of 4 shots. Knott’s team was able to apply some pressure when they scored a 4 of their own followed by a 3 to close the margin to just seven shots in the middle stages however Nairn’s team still had plenty of good bowls left and again put the issue beyond doubt before claiming the title without having to play the last of the scheduled 18 ends. The final score being 22-11.
