Faulkner wins delayed Masters Singles
The rescheduled finals day of the Mount Lawley Mens Masters Singles was held Sunday 12th June delayed by three hours due to heavy rainfall flooding the greens twice. A strong field having previously competed in May when a big storm halted play at the quarter final stage.
Eight players were scheduled to resume in the quarter finals where rain again interrupted play however the event was able to be concluded. Unfortunately Wagin’s Warren Holt and Gingin’s Stephen Beckwith had withdrawn as they were on the Gold Coast at the Australian Open and Harvey’s David Goddard could not take his place due to contracting Covid. It was a bitter blow for Goddard who had proven to be the surprise packet of the tournament. The 32yo who has only been bowling for a few seasons looks to have a bright future. He claimed the scalps of Justin Opie and Blake Nairn before Covid ruined his chances.
The completion of the quarter finals saw Joondalup’s Jimmy Buchanan after a slow start get up to beat Eaton’s Robert Bowron 25-23. The second of the quarter finals that resumed between Doubleview’s Gavin Faulkner and Meadow Spring’s Mike Lee resulted in a win for Gavin 25-19 and direct entry into the final.
Doubleview’s John Slavich moved through as his opponent winning the only semi final played, John played a great game to beat Jimmy Buchanan 25-17.
The all Doubleview final saw Gavin and John locked at 5 all in the early stage of the game. Gavin then had a very productive run of ends and moved out to lead 18-8. When John won the mat he played a handful of ends tee to tee and in the very windy conditions drew within a couple of shots before Gavin played a great third bowl to win the end and get hold of the mat leading 18-16.
Gavin changed the length, back to his preferred short ends and went on to win 25-18.
The win obviously meant a lot to him as he was able to emulate his late father Neville Faulkner who had won the same event back in 1992.
The final finished under lights which was appropriate as the event was Sponsored by Stiles Electrical and B Green where the final was played did not have any lights until installed in March this year.
Mt Lawley Bowling Club thanks all the players who participated especially the finalists who battled some tough conditions and looks forward to hosting the event once again in 2023.
Full Men’s Masters Singles Results
