Jack McShane & Shawn Thompson (Merrylands) win State Open Pairs in Ettalong
Magic Finish as Merrylands Beat Warilla
The State Open Pairs final had everything – quality bowls, incredible shot making, huge scores and a tight finish. Merrylands and Warilla exchanged shots in the early stages of the match, with the Gorillas holding a slight 7-5 lead about a third of the way through. From there, Jack McShane and Shawn Thompson went on an epic run, picking up scores of 4, 2 & 6 to jump away to a 17-7 lead. Not to be outdone, Brendan Aquilina and Lee Stinson hit right back picking up a 7 to trail 17-14.
From Aquilina and McShane’s impeccable drawing to Stinson’s conversions and Thompson’s trademark forehand drive, all four players were putting on a show for the strong Ettalong crowd. Heading into the final end, Warilla led 22-21 leaving Merrylands needing two to win and one to force an extra end. Some brilliance from the Merrylands duo to manufacture shot ensured that the final would go to a decisive extra-end.
Buoyed by the previous end, Merrylands continued to pepper the jack, with Thompson drawing two shots within inches of the jack from the second position. Despite their best efforts, neither Aquilina nor Stinson could wrestle back shot, allowing McShane and Thompson to take the match and the State title with a 23-22 win.
Still a junior, Jack McShane becomes one of the youngest ever State Championship winners, and is the first male junior bowler since 2013 to win an Open State Championship and Junior State Championship in the same year after he won the State Junior Singles title only a month ago. For Thompson, this is his second State Championship after winning the State Fours with Birrong back in 2001.
Courtesy BowlsNSW