Finals of the State Pairs 2007/8

December 30, 2007
MANY THANKS TO BRUCE CHALLEN FROM BOWLS WA FOR GETTING THESE RESULTS TO ME
BOWLS WA MEN’S STATE PAIRS FINALS 2007-08

Richard CoxBEFORE WE SAY ANYTHING, TAKE A BOW RICHARD COX WHO IS THE OSBORNE PARK GREENKEEPER FOR PRODUCING SUCH HIGH QUALITY GREENS FOR THE PLAYERS TO COMPETE ON, WELL DONE RICHARD !! THEY WERE JUST FANTASTIC




----L/R: Peter Ker and James Jaworski great pals in a magnificent win

--------------------------Peter Ker and James Jaworski


The final score was 23 - 18

What a fantastic day at the bowls today when we saw James Jaworski and Peter Ker win the State Pairs defeating Jon Sharp and Kyle McIlroy in an amazing game.
James, who is aged 28 started playing Lawn Bowls at the age of 12 in Toodyay. He missed 4 years then came back to play for Gosnells for two years then a stint at Manning for another 2 years. Peter Ker is in his 4th season of bowls started at Gosnells and followed James to Manning
It was a day of high drama if you were a James Jaworski and Peter Ker fan and hoping they might win the title. It started in the first game this morning when they were 3 -13 down against Rhett Butler who is definitely the King of swing and Shane Knott. They picked up 5 on the second last end and got across the line to win 18 - 16
Yesterday they were 9 - 11 down on the last end against Tony Skoric and John Morgan picking up 5 brilliant shots to win 14 - 11
Against Roger Barns they needed 5 on the last end to win the section and did so with a minus 1. There was another game they came from behind to win that also.

This final had all the ingredients for a great game. Jon Sharp and Kyle McIlroy had been playing like machines and were in sensational touch in the earlier game against Stein Davies and Phil Potts. The standard they set in that game made them almost unbackable to win the title. Brilliant with a capitol B is the only word to describe their play..

James Jaworski and Peter Ker refused to be beaten in the games they played so it was a classic case of :

The immovable rock VERSUS the Irresistible force

In very windy conditions and a quick track the final started very well for Jon Sharp and Kyle McIlroy who were 7 -0 up after 2 ends had been played. James and Peter started to settle down and winning the next three ends with James doing a great job trying to combat Kyle McIlroy who was leading a treat. Peter Ker was struggling a little to counter the conditions while Jon Sharp was in great touch.
The score was 17 -8 after 13 ends had been played, 7 ends to Jon 6 ends to James --the 7 lost in opening two ends was killing James on the scoreboard, Kyle was playing fantastic bowls up to this point of time, but from here on Peter Ker started to have an influence on the game getting close often with both bowls and James was still playing a great game. Jon Sharp was also playing a ripper of a game.
The standard of the game was enormous with the shot changing quite regularly on any end.
The wind had picked even more to make it all that much harder for both sides
James and Peter had to dig deep and dig they did to slowly whittle the lead away while the standard of the game was still so high. On the 16th end James picked up a three to make it 13 - 17 down and on the 17th end played a great drive to take out Jon and Kyle's two ultra close counters to make it 17 -17.
Peter Ker was now playing a huge role in this comeback and answered all the challenges presented to him with some huge bowls that made the difference. They ran out winners in this game and for most of it they were never going to win the game

-----------------------John Sharp in fine form today

--------------------Jon Sharp

--------------Kyle McIlroy enjoying the moment after the game

--------------------Kyle McIlroy

James Jaworski showed coolness, calm and leadership throughout the entire State Pairs. The "Rooee" as he is called has all the shots and a great temperament

Peter Ker was beaten by Kyle for the first 14 ends then played a major role to help win the game. On display was his never beaten attitude and bigger things await Peter Ker

Kyle McIlroy was sensational for most of the day with his sheer consistency with both bowls and it is easy to see why he is a State Leader. He could be excused for wondering how he has lost when he played the game he did.

Jon Sharp was so good off the back and he is a great player and very hard to beat in a game, his draw drive game is one of the best in town but he does have all the shots when he has to use them. All in all it was only a couple of ends that cost this great pair the game


SEMI FINALS
Jon Sharp/Kyle McIlroy V Stein Davies/Phil Potts
This game was far better than the scores indicate with the final scoreline showing 15- 5. The standard was unbelievably high with both Jon and Kyle playing sooooo good that on many occasions they could not have played better than if they had walked down the other end and placed the bowls in the head by hand.

L/R:Stein Davies and Phil Potts great performance in the State Pairs

-------------------Stein Davies and Phil Potts
Stein Davies has had a great couple of days and would be proud of his efforts and after this display it confirms how good he is in playing against any bowler. He was very good and just ran into a side that would find it hard to play better than they did in this game
Phil Potts would haven't lost any friends for the game he played and he has put his hand up for State selection. The heads on many occasions were so tight that Stein and Phil would be scratching their head and wondering what ever else they could do. After the game Phil said that Kyle and Jon were awesome in this game and played with unbelievable pinpoint accuracy .

SEMI-FINAL TWO score 18 /16

James Jaworski / Peter Ker VERSUS Rhett Butler / Shane Knott
Well what a game this was. It was the king of swing Rhett Butler who got away to a great start with Shane Knott doing a great job for the cause. Rhett Butler has the best controlled weighted shot into the head and his accuracy is uncanny, Rhett has broken many a bowlers heart with this particular shot.

---------L/R: Rhett "THE KING OF SWING" Butler and Shane Knott

------------------ Rhett Butler and Sahne Knott

Rhett and Shane led 13 /3 and had the game by the scruff of the neck but were unaware that it was the beginning of the end for them.
Peter Ker was having a horrible time of it and it was hard to beleive he was the player that was so sensational the day before. Well Peter did decide enough was enough and got going to help turn the tide and he and James surged to lead the game 17 - 16 after picking up a five ( yes another five when they needed it) . It was so uncharacteristic to see Rhett Butler miss with his two running shots to allow that 5. The last end saw James draw shot and Rhett ran at the head twice and missed. He hadn't missed a running shot for three days. Shane Knott did a very good job and this experience will see him improve even further. Well done to both players on their mighty effort.