WARRNAMBOOL teenager Liam Keegan capitalised on a home-court advantage to win gold at the Australian Indoor Bias Bowls Championships.
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Keegan, 15, went through the tournament undefeated, collecting his medal when the five-day competition wrapped up on Saturday.
The Brauer College student finished runner-up at the nationals in Mount Gambier 12 months earlier.
He was rapt to go one step better this time around.
“It was pretty special,” Keegan said.
“I played nine games and won nine games.
“I was down 10 shots with a couple of minutes to go in one game and came back and won by four.”
Keegan, who is a involved in the junior CFA, took up indoor bowls three years ago.
“My dad (Karl) needed me to fill in one day for his team and I got good at it,” he said.
Keegan was one of a host of south-west bowlers to claim medals at the championships as Victoria stormed to victory.
Victoria claimed the Jack Gore Trophy – awarded to the top senior team – for the 12th time in 13 years.
Its score of 301 was the best in the titles’ 46-year history.
Victoria also won the junior section, the Bill Newman Trophy, with 51 points.
Tasmania was runner-up in both sections.
The competition catered for players ranging from nine-years-old to over 90. Bacchus Marsh’s Emily Davis was the youngest entrant.
Victoria committee organiser Rex Harris said the host state shone.
“Club 300 has never been reached before,” he said.
“Generally a win averages between 230 and 250. (Our score) was poles apart from normal outcomes.”
Harris said Warrnambool, which hosted for the first time, impressed the 350-strong contingent of bowlers.
“The venue rated as the best venue that has hosted the event,” he said.
“We have set the model for the next one – we set a new standard of preparation and catering.
“The catering was done by over 80 volunteers from around the Warrnambool district.”
South-west medals: Gold: Liam Keegan, juniors boys’ singles; Harvey Robbins, men’s fours; Nicole Collins, Jeanette Robbins, women’s fours; Maria Van Someren, women’s triples; silver: Maureen Drennan, women’s singles; Brett Mungean, men’s fours; Debra Linton, women’s fours; Brendan Keane, men’s triples; Jacinta Marney, Gillian Phillips, women’s triples; Shane Cashill, Chris Price, men’s pairs; bronze: George Draffen, mixed pairs.
