On the Mats

GREAT RUN: John Harvey’s purple patch of form continued when he won the Alchemy Beverages Centre Open Singles indoor bowls tournament. Picture by Paul Rickard

JOHN Harvey is having a great run of form. He won the Alchemy Beverages Centre Open Singles, defeating David Lynn 8-7 on an extra end.

The event attracted more entries than had been experienced for a singles event in a while.

Harvey won his first three games to qualify for the quarterfinals, where he defeated Ian Greeks 7-6.

Harvey played superbly to defeat Arnold Hutchins 9-5 in one semifinal, while Lynn defeated Lois Lamont 11-6 in the other.

In the nine-end final, Harvey took charge and led 6-1 after six ends. Lynn started a fightback, picking up three points on End 7, then three more on End 8 to go ahead 7-6.

On the final end, both players had a chance to win, but it was Harvey who held the point from his very first bowl of four. By taking the point he forced the game to go to a deciding end.

The deciding end was tight, with Harvey holding the point. Lynn’s third bowl came close to getting shot, finishing just short of the kitty.

Harvey went narrow with his last bowl, giving Lynn a chance to play an upshot to push Harvey’s shot bowl off the head, but he went too narrow and Harvey celebrated victory.

This was Harvey’s 42nd centre title.