Four days before overcoming East Launceston rival Robert McMullen in the final at Rosny Park, the Trevallyn bowler was fifteen minutes late to his round one match.

But having showed the poise to win that game and every other thereafter, the newly-crowned state fours champion had all the tools he needed to come back from a 12-7 deficit and claim victory.

“I’m absolutely over the moon,” Appleyard told Bowls Tasmania.

“I just took every game as it came didn’t take any game for granted, I gave it my best and came through.

“I think from now on I’m going to be a lot more organised.”

Gene Ayton was another Northerner to taste success, overcoming years of heartache and a loss in last year’s singles decider to claim the men’s open pairs alongside fellow first-time title winner Tristan Bakes.

After leading 17-13 with an end to play, Ayton and his North-West partner were forced to watch as Paul Williamson and Connor Munnings forced an extra end.

But Ayton's final bowl disturbed the head and secured the title.

“It’s going to take a while to sink in,” he said.

“My first title and it’s taken 33 years to break the duck after losing a dozen or so semi-finals over the years.

“Last end they piled the pressure on, but when I put mine about foot behind I was a lot happier because if Connor was slightly over, the kitty would pop. He played the right shot and was unlucky not to force the extra end.”

Ayton’s Invermay teammate Jeremy Bracken was successful in the bowling arm pairs, teaming up with Rosny Park’s Kevin Bowkett to defeat Brighton duo Geoff Munro and Kevin Booth in the final.

Meanwhile New Norfolk’s Lyn Triffitt was the hero of the open women’s competition, defending her singles title with a 25-10 win over Amity Booth, and then doing the same in the pairs with the help of Jenny Tirant.

The assortment of past and first-time winners led Bowls Tasmania’s Warren Groves to declare the state championships a success. 

“It went well - it was a busy week with trying to play the opens as well as the juniors and disabled,” Groves said.

“We only had one day of extreme heat on Friday, which dissipated by lunchtime so we got out of that one - and no rain which is even better - but it went well.”