By Brent Stubbins
The Johnsonville Junior Men's Pairs was decided over the weekend at the Indoor stadium at Naenae. Three teams fought their way through the round robin games to emerge into post section and sudden death. Earning their place in the semi final was Paul Anquetil and Adam Ryan who faced off against another strong combination of Craig Walker and Craig Hepetema.
Play started at 10am on Sunday and after a long tussle over 18 ends, Paul and Adam just got home winning 16-14. The game was played with great sportsmanship and excellent bowls played by both sides.
The other finalist were Travis and Jason Anquetil who received the bye into the final as only three teams had won through to post section play.
This was always going to be an exciting game with the younger Anquetil brothers (Travis and Jason) facing off against their Uncle Paul Anquetil, family bragging rights were definitely at stake.
It has to be said the standard of play was incredible throughout the entire game. Almost every end was decided by 1 shot and the jack was moved regularly by all players. The lead swapped around as each Pairs team tried to assert their dominance on the game and win this prestigious Men's Junior Pairs title.
The final went down to the wire with Paul and Adam holding a 15-12 lead (the biggest margin of the game) on the 17th end. Jason under all sorts of pressure came up with two scintillating drives to kill the final end twice to save the match. His second drive took out all three bowls of the opposition and that would have drawn them level to tie the match however his own bowl splashed into the jack killing the end. On the third replay of the final end Jason again tried valiantly to reproduce his magic drive to save the match but just missed and the Men's Junior Pairs title was won by Paul Anquetil and Adam Ryan 17-12.
Congratulations to all three Pairs teams who fronted to complete the Championship, they were a credit to the Johnsonville Bowling Club.
Spectator award to Leon Anquetil, father of Jason and Travis and brother to Paul, who must have been so proud of his family, their successes and the manner in which they all played.