THE lawn bowls fraternity has another star on the rise with Dunkeld local, Darren “Cat” Gordon winning through to the grand final of the Australian Indoor Championships at Tweed Heads Bowls Club on Thursday where he finished runner-up.

After winning his way through the four rounds of qualifying in Warrnambool earlier in the year, Gordon found himself in the top 32 bowlers in Australia, gaining entry into the biggest tournament to date in his career.

To be one of the last 32 players from across Australia is a huge accomplishment, and Gordon was humble when asked how he felt about it.

“Lucky in the first instance, but I have really looked forward to the challenge, but didn’t expect to get any further than the first round on Monday,” he said.

Having grown up playing football and cricket for his beloved hometown, Gordon gravitated to lawn bowls 12 years ago after finishing playing cricket, where he was an A grade premiership winner for Dunkeld.

“A fairly big group of us migrated from the cricket ground to the bowls green at the one time and we were taught by the best, both in etiquette and how to play, with John Overall, Ivan Field, Brian Matthews and Frank Raymond to name the very best of teachers.”

“My teammates from Dunkeld; Stephen Field, Angus Jackson and the people we have recruited over time- Ken Prewitt was great for the club- he is just a fierce competitor, while David Clement from Warrnambool has shown us how the big teams go about it- Troy Greed has been sensational if you ever want to see a pure bowls delivery have a look at “Greedy”, he is one of the true gentlemen on the bowling green as well,” Gordon said

His expectations were not high entering the week in Queensland, expecting a short period on the green early in the week.

“I thought I’d be eliminated on Monday in the first round, then have a couple of days watching the other rounds and enjoying the sights before heading home,” he said.

That first round saw Gordon defeat Peter Davies (NSW) two sets to none, 17 shots to 10; second round on Tuesday saw him down Barry Mungovern two sets to none, 19 shots to eight, and also Shane Evans (NSW) two sets to none, 17-12 in his quarter-final, while Wednesday’s semi-final was a tense affair against Greg Brown (Vic) with Gordon winning in tie break to win through to the final.

Thursday rolled around and Gordon watched on as Ray Pearse (NSW) won the second semi-final who came into the final having studied Gordon via YouTube overnight after defeating Arron Sherrif, the defending champion, in his semi-final.

No doubt Gordon likewise studied his opponent during the early play on Thursday morning before the afternoon match.

“My strength is playing ends that are either short or two-thirds in length, as long ends are not my best,” Gordon said.

“I needed to be aggressive from the outset.

Pearse came into the final with a game plan that didn’t suit the style of game that Gordon liked as he set up long ends which tested our local.

The first set was not to plan for Gordon, as Pearse slammed home the advantage with a set victory 14-1 in only seven ends, as Gordon struggled to get into the game.

Despite drawing level in the second set three-three, Gordon was unable to match the vastly experienced Pearse - who has represented Australia - who drew away to win the set, 8-3 to claim the match honours.

Pearse will now head to Guernsey in the English Channel next April for the World titles, while Gordon is straight back to work with a tournament in Warrnambool today and another in Bendigo next weekend, as he works towards another tilt at the championship next year.

THE lawn bowls fraternity has another star on the rise with Dunkeld local, Darren “Cat” Gordon winning through to the grand final of the Australian Indoor Championships at Tweed Heads Bowls Club on Thursday where he finished runner-up.

After winning his way through the four rounds of qualifying in Warrnambool earlier in the year, Gordon found himself in the top 32 bowlers in Australia, gaining entry into the biggest tournament to date in his career.

To be one of the last 32 players from across Australia is a huge accomplishment, and Gordon was humble when asked how he felt about it.

“Lucky in the first instance, but I have really looked forward to the challenge, but didn’t expect to get any further than the first round on Monday,” he said.

Having grown up playing football and cricket for his beloved hometown, Gordon gravitated to lawn bowls 12 years ago after finishing playing cricket, where he was an A grade premiership winner for Dunkeld.

“A fairly big group of us migrated from the cricket ground to the bowls green at the one time and we were taught by the best, both in etiquette and how to play, with John Overall, Ivan Field, Brian Matthews and Frank Raymond to name the very best of teachers.”

“My teammates from Dunkeld; Stephen Field, Angus Jackson and the people we have recruited over time- Ken Prewitt was great for the club- he is just a fierce competitor, while David Clement from Warrnambool has shown us how the big teams go about it- Troy Greed has been sensational if you ever want to see a pure bowls delivery have a look at “Greedy”, he is one of the true gentlemen on the bowling green as well,” Gordon said

His expectations were not high entering the week in Queensland, expecting a short period on the green early in the week.

“I thought I’d be eliminated on Monday in the first round, then have a couple of days watching the other rounds and enjoying the sights before heading home,” he said.

That first round saw Gordon defeat Peter Davies (NSW) two sets to none, 17 shots to 10; second round on Tuesday saw him down Barry Mungovern two sets to none, 19 shots to eight, and also Shane Evans (NSW) two sets to none, 17-12 in his quarter-final, while Wednesday’s semi-final was a tense affair against Greg Brown (Vic) with Gordon winning in tie break to win through to the final.

Thursday rolled around and Gordon watched on as Ray Pearse (NSW) won the second semi-final who came into the final having studied Gordon via YouTube overnight after defeating Arron Sherrif, the defending champion, in his semi-final.

No doubt Gordon likewise studied his opponent during the early play on Thursday morning before the afternoon match.

“My strength is playing ends that are either short or two-thirds in length, as long ends are not my best,” Gordon said.

“I needed to be aggressive from the outset.

Pearse came into the final with a game plan that didn’t suit the style of game that Gordon liked as he set up long ends which tested our local.

The first set was not to plan for Gordon, as Pearse slammed home the advantage with a set victory 14-1 in only seven ends, as Gordon struggled to get into the game.

Despite drawing level in the second set three-three, Gordon was unable to match the vastly experienced Pearse - who has represented Australia - who drew away to win the set, 8-3 to claim the match honours.

Pearse will now head to Guernsey in the English Channel next April for the World titles, while Gordon is straight back to work with a tournament in Warrnambool today and another in Bendigo next weekend, as he works towards another tilt at the championship next year.