BRIAN Scott showed nerves of steel to win his first Victorian over 60s singles crown.
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The City Memorial lawn bowler, having progressed from club and division knockout rounds, played a stunning quartet of matches at Ocean Grove this week.
Three of his four games, including the final against Wodonga’s Ashley Bates, were one-shot thrillers.
“Three of them were 21-20 and I didn’t get to 20 before them,” Scott said.
“Each one I was behind. I was lucky enough in the semi-final. It was 21-15.”
Scott, 72, said the final against Bates was hard-fought.
But “a bit of Warrnambool weather halfway through” turned the game his way.
“He is a state selector for the over 60s,” Scott said.
“He was a gentleman and it’s terrific to play against those sort of people and to get the experience.
“We had a terrific game. We had easy games right through and I had the hard games.
“The wind got up and all those little things push it your way a little bit.”
Scott credited his determination for helping him overcome heavy deficits.
“I was down 2-13 in one game but it just didn’t seem to worry me, in a game first to 21,” he said.
“It didn’t seem to bother me.”
Scott, who is chasing an elusive club singles crown 17 years after taking up the sport, said his state title win “was a real feather in the cap”.
“I didn’t sleep too well last night — you are playing the games all over again,” he said.
“It’s a one-off thing.
“They don’t come very often, that’s for sure.
“I appreciate the (City Memorial) people who did come down for the finals because it’s a long way to go for what could have been a short stay and all the people who sent text messages through wishing me the best.
“You take it all in and store it away.”
Scott beat 15 other division finalists to win the state crown.
The City Memorial Gold skipper said the Ocean Grove greens suited his playing style.
“They have two grass greens. We don’t see grass greens (up here). We have all synthetics,” he said.
“We went down on Tuesday and stayed at a friend’s place at Waurn Ponds and went for a practice.
“It only runs 14 seconds whereas ours run 17 or 18.
“It felt really good ... which is a good start.
“If you feel comfortable it makes life a lot easier.
“I was looking forward to it after that practice.”