North Albury bowler Stephen Broad claimed his second Albury and District Champion of Champion singles title with a hard-fought eight-shot victory against Commercial's Neville Aylmore at the Commercial Club last Sunday.
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The victory came 23 years after Broad first won the event for clubs singles champions across the district in 1997 as an 18-year-old.
Broad was required to get through three matches to take the title, defeating Lavington's Bill Pantling 31-11 in the quarter-finals and seeing off Howlong's Phil Slater, 31-16, in the semis, before holding off a determined Aylmore, 31-23, after three hours and 36 ends.
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Aylmore produced a major upset by eliminating defending champion Peter Forck, of Henty, in convincing fashion, 31-11, in the semi-finals.
The reigning A and D grade four Bowler of the Year proved it wasn't a one-off by taking it up to Broad on his home green, with the pair exchanging shots throughout.
Aylmore led 9-5 after eleven ends thanks to some brilliant draw shots when Broad was holding multiples.
However, Broad wrestled back the momentum by shortening up the length, winning 12 of the next 15 ends to lead 24-13.
But Aylmore wasn't going away, picking up a maximum four shots on the 28th end, narrowing the gap to 27-23, after 34, before Broad steadied and picked up a one and a three to close it out.
"I thought Nev might have played his grand final against 'Forky' (Peter Forck), but he certainly didn't. It was the longest game of singles I have played," Broad said.
"There were at least a dozen ends where all eight bowls were within two foot of the jack."
I thought Nev might have played his grand final against 'Forky' (Peter Forck), but he certainly didn't. It was the longest game of singles I have played.
- Stephen Broad
Broad thanked the host of North Albury Bowling Club supporters who came along.
He will represent Albury and District at the Zone 8 Champion of Champions singles at Narrandera on November 28 and 29.
Broad backs up for the Champion of Champion pairs at North Albury this weekend with Norm Honey.
They take on Lavington's Darcy Burge in the semi-finals, while Kerry Boyle (Henty) faces Terry Hensel (Culcairn) and Grant Brazier (Commercial) meets Phil Slater (Howlong) in quarter-final match-ups.
Play starts at 9.30am on Saturday and Sunday.