LBIOM

With both singles finals being contested by this season’s pairs champions it was inevitable that the winners would be dual title holders for 2023.

The ladies final was a rerun of the 2021 contest between the in form Karen Slack and experienced Bernice McGreal playing in her 10th singles final. The match started with both players feeling their way into the game with tight ends and little to choose between either player in the keenly fought contest. However, once Bernice settled into her rhythm and lengthened the jack Karen soon found the match slipping away as she struggled to match the consistency of Bernice and despite keeping her to a series of a single shot on each end it was not enough to stop Bernice going on to a convincing win and claiming her 6th National Singles title.

The Men’s Final was another repeat contest between father and son, this being the 6th occasion in the last 7 years that these 2 have met in the title decider. Mark has been in fine form this season since having a year away from bowls in 2022, and was unbeaten in any match coming into the final. Clive featuring in his 9th successive singles final, having won 6 of the previous 8, was always likely to test Mark to the limit in this encounter in keeping his 100% record. Clive started with 5 shots into the first 2 ends only for Mark to claim a 4 in the 3rd end and soon make headway towards a healthy 17-9 lead. However, not to be outdone Clive dug deep to produce some significant turnovers and draw shots to claw back the deficit and take a 19-18 lead. With the match evenly poised allowing either player to take victory in a single end it was Mark who timed his delivery of 3 virtually perfect bowls to within inches of the jack to force a running bowl from his opponent which drifted just agonisingly wide of the target to leave Mark with the match winning position and deservedly pick up his 2nd National Singles title with a scoreline of 21-19.

Congratulations to both Bernice and Mark who have now earned their right to represent the Island at next year’s World Champion of Champions event in Australia.