Richard Bayliss still chasing elusive singles crown at Beechworth

Bayliss has been bowling almost 30 years and has been unable to claim the club’s singles title, despite reaching the final eight times.

His son, Mason, now a three-time club singles champion, has beaten him on two occasions, including a thrilling decider this year.

Mason led the contest 19-6, before Richard clawed his way back to 24-23 and came within millimetres of that illusive singles crown.

His record has been a talking point around the club and across the Ovens and Murray, but Bayliss has taken it all in his stride.

“It’s become a bit of a joke around the North East, I played over at Myrtleford a couple of weeks ago and they were asking if I would be going for 10 losses in a row,” Bayliss laughed.

“They call me the bridesmaid and that sort of thing, but it’s all good fun.

“I’ve been lucky to win some club pairs championships, it’s just the singles one that has eluded me.

“I’m actually secretary at the club this year and they made a joke that it was the only way I could get my name up on the board was by becoming secretary.

“It will be all the sweeter if I ever do get there.”

Bayliss hasn’t given up hope of breaking through for his maiden singles title, but knows he couldn’t get much closer than he did against Mason this time around.

“I’m only 53, so you never know, but we’ve got some good, young bowlers coming through so it’s getting harder and harder,” he said.

“Hopefully I get another chance.

“I was down well early, it was 19-6 and I must admit at that stage I just wanted to get to 10 or otherwise I was going to absolutely cop heaps from everyone.

“It got to 24-23 and Mason held a couple, but I had a chance to win the game and missed the shot bowl by a millimetre, so Mason beat me, 25-23.

“It was an enjoyable game and went for about three hours.”

He admitted Mason’s decision to start bowling again has kept him going.

“I was getting probably getting a bit stale five or six years ago, but Mason took up the sport again and it reinvigorated myself to keep going with it and I enjoy it as much now as I ever had,” Bayliss said.

“We’re pretty lucky up at Beechworth, we’ve got four fellas 25 and under, so we’d be one of the youngest clubs in the North East.

“They all love their bowls and are really involved in the club.”

Bayliss plays as a third in Beechworth’s A2 pennant side which is currently third in the competition. 

He’s won multiple pennant finals with Beechworth in A2 and A3 and has also taken out the Ovens and Murray East pairs with his father-in-law, Paul Carey, as well as reaching the Victorian Country fours final.

Bayliss has won the pairs championship at Beechworth three times.