On the other side of the draw, his brother Matthew was steaming along, defeating Codie Tarei 9-8 before ousting hot favourite Nathan Trowell in the semifinal.
In the nine-end final, Dylan was three shots down on the first end but with his last delivery he played a perfect bowl to draw the kitty back to score three points. One shot to Dylan on End 2 made it 4-0, then one shot to Matthew on End 3 made it 4-1.
On End 4, Dylan “dead drew” the kitty with his first bowl, and Matthew couldn’t get the point . . . 5-1 to Dylan.
On End 5, down on the head, Dylan drew his bowl and got a deflection off a shot bowl to draw on to the kitty, taking the score to 6-1.
On End 6, Matthew held three shots, but little brother Dylan came in, drawing the kitty to hold the point. Matthew then played a fantastic bowl to pick the kitty up for three shots and close it to 6-4.
Both brothers played good bowls on End 7, Dylan picking up one point to lead 7-4 .
End 8 could have been the time to shake hands, but Matthew showed class by drawing three shots to level the score at 7-7 going into the last end.
It was bowl for bowl on the last end, and after both brothers had played three bowls, Dylan held the shot.
Matthew gave his all to try to get the shot with his last bowl but pushed it just an inch too far, meaning Dylan had the win without having to play his last bowl.
Dylan now represents Poverty Bay-East Coast in the New Zealand u18 finals at Titahi Bay, Wellington, in August.
Both brothers are very talented sportsmen . . . Matthew won this event last year.
