The Hoppers’ combination accounted for Howlong’s Wally Bourne and Phil Slater in a highly-entertaining final, 22-18, at North Albury Bowling Club on Sunday. 

All players were to be congratulated for the way they quickly adapted to the difficult playing conditions. 

Broad and Ross faced Henty’s Peter Campbell and Bob Bowen on the Saturday to progress to the final and were always in control in the 24-17 victory. 

Bourne and Slater had a much more difficult run to the decider, defeating Ron Bonat on Saturday morning, before sneaking past Darryl Coventry 20-19 in the semi-final, which finished under lights.

It was Broad’s second Champion of Champions pairs titles after winning his first in 2015.

“It wasn’t a bad game, it actually poured down rain with one end to play and covered the green with water, so we had to wait 10 minutes to play the last end,” Broad said.

“We got a one on it to win the match.

“It was a tight game the whole way through, I think we were level about six times and the highest break we got out to was about a five-shot lead.”

The victory also allowed the North Albury stars to exact some revenge on Howlong after going down to the Spiders in this year’s grade three pennant final.

Broad and Ross will contest the zone pairs playoffs in Young later in the year.

North Albury will also host the Champion of Champions singles event this weekend.

Holbrook’s Duane Crow will meet Culcairn’s Jim Lee.

Oaklands’ club champion Ron Bonat takes on Walla’s Lee Churches.

Albury and District open singles and Henty champion Peter Forck clashes with Commercial’s Roger Dalitz, while Howlong’s representative Paul Baensch faces Lavington’s Bill Collins.

North Albury will be without a representative after club singles winner Norm Honey was forced to withdraw from the event.