Kerry Morris fought back to claim the £1080 Zenon Transfers Men Singles championship at the Athena Beach Hotel in Cyprus.
It was an excellent days bowling under the hot Cyprus sun and Kerry kept his cool to claim the £300 first prize. The last 16 started on the top green next to the Athena Royal Hotel and this smaller quicker green provided a tough test for the bowlers.
The day started with a marathon of a game between Harry Singleton, with years of experience on the green, against first-time visitor Paul Hemming and it was this experience that proved vital at the end. Harry was involved in another marathon in the last 8 against Barry Booth. Barry did well to win this with some subtle edge play proving decisive. This wasn’t the game of the round as the Fitzpatrick brothers were involved in their own family battle.
The semi’s and final were played on the main green so they could be streamed on the LiveBowls YouTube channel. This proved decisive in the first semi-final as Richie Goddard narrowly beat Jamie Fitzpatrick. The other saw Kerry dominate his game against his old friend Barry Booth.
The final was dominated in the early stage by Richie as his excellent corner play took him into a big lead. Kerry looked like he had no answer to Richie’s bowls and it looked like it was a decisive lead.
Kerry used his extra experience on the green to slow the game down and move Richie to areas of the green that Richie had not played before.
It proved to be a decisive tactic from Kerry as he finally edged ahead of Richie when it matters most at the end of the game. It was clearly delighted and relieved Kerry who claimed the win and retained the title he won last year.
Results
Last 16: Robbie Fitzpatrick 21 Peter Iddon 08, James Fitzpatrick 21 Tony Chesters 16, Richie Goddard 21 Bob Walmsley 08, Ian Nicholson 21 Eddie Lonergan 10, Kerry Morris 21 Eric Whitehead 13, Martin Gilpin 21 Phil Owen 18, Barry Booth 21 Ken Powrie 13, Harry Singleton 21 Paul Hemming 20
Last 8: Robbie Fitzpatrick 18 James Fitzpatrick 21, Richie Goddard 21 Ian Nicholson 19, Kerry Morris 21 Martin Gilpin 18, Barry Booth 21 Harry Singleton 20
Semi Final : Richie Goddard 21 James Fitzpatrick 17, Kerry Morris 21 Barry Booth 14
Final : Kerry Morris 21 Richie Goddard 19