THE entry of 20 juniors in the Northern junior singles titles was an encouraging sign for the future of Northern bowls, tournament director Brenda Jones said yesterday.
The Launceston Bowls Club hosted the titles, with players from most of the Northern clubs aged from nine to 18 years.
The 25-up knockout competition started at 9.30 with a high standard of bowls on display.
Michael Sims and Joey Thomas had the crowd enthralled with constant changes to the head throughout, and Sims was the eventual winner by four shots.
Scottsdale's Chris Cartledge took an early lead against Ben Perotti that he held with consistent bowling to take the game by 15 shots.
Trace Stewart, of the Launceston Bowls Club, took an early lead, keeping his opponent scoreless for the first four ends while posting a seven-shot lead.
Mitch Walker opened his account on the next end but struggled to maintain the momentum, with Stewart being an easy winner.
Longford's Matt Jackson grabbed an early lead over Lachie Sims and powered away to a comfortable score to continue into the next round.
Round two games saw Hayden Zasandy and Lachlan Blackberry playing 27 ends to establish the winner.
Blackberry drew level with his older opponent on the tenth end and a seesawing battle kept them neck-and-neck until the 28th end, where a single shot gave him the victory by three.
Josh Walker-Davis moved into round three with a three-shot victory over Ryan Thomas in the 27th end after a close-fought battle.
Brett Avent jumped to an early lead that he surrendered just once on his way to victory over Jordan Partridge to continue to round three.
Josh Appleyard continued to round three when he defeated Kyron Riley in a game that he led all the way.
Grady Murnane held a solid advantage all the way to the 26th end in his victory over Rhys McDougal.
Trevallyn's Michael Sims and Scottsdale's Chris Cartledge put on a seasoned display of bowls in a close encounter that saw Sims through to the third round.
Trace Stewart started well in his game against Matt Jackson but was unable to maintain the pressure and was defeated in the 25th end.
Bridport's Kane Walker was too strong for Ashley Barnett, moving to the third round with a solid victory.
Round 1: M. Sims d J Thomas 25/21, C. Cartledge d B Perotti 26/11, T. Stewart d M Walker 25/7, M. Jackson d L Sims25/6.
Round 2: L. Blackberry d H. Zasandy 25/22, J. Walker-Davis d R Thomas 25/20, Brett Avent d J Partridge 18/25.
J. Appleyard d K Riley 25/20, G. Murnane d R.McDougal 26/20, M.Sims d C Cartledge 25/17, M. Jackson d T. Stewart 25/17, K Walker d A Barnett 25/9.
Round 3: J. Walker-Davis d J. Appleyard 25/24, M.Sims d L.Blackberry 27/9, M.Jackson d B.Avent, 25/6.
G. Murnane d K Walker 25/21.
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