Elgar claims back-to-back Taranaki singles titles
West End’s Dean Elgar successfully defended his Taranaki men’s bowls singles title on his home green on Monday in a perfect dress rehearsal for the world champion-of-champions event next week.
Elgar leaves for Sydney on Friday, with the world event commencing Monday October 30, and should he exhibit the same form he did over the long weekend, he has every chance of going deep into the competition.
Elgar’s excellence as a singles player was clearly evident in the final as he ran out a comfortable 21-10 victor over John Roberts, who was representing Alton.
In winning the first four ends, Elgar opened up a 6-0 lead, and while Roberts closed 8-6 behind, that was as good as it got for him.
‘‘I’m no singles player,’’ Roberts said afterwards. ‘‘I need others to carry me.’’
Elgar dominated the next four ends clinching 10 points to make it 18-6. Roberts hung in for a while, but Elgar was too good. ‘‘I’d love to take this green over to Sydney with me,’’ Elgar said. It was his fifth win in the tournament and his 11th Taranaki title in total.
Both finalists came from behind in two quality semifinals.
Elgar trailed Paritutu’s Darren Goodin 18-13 before a four brought him back into contention. At 20-all, Goodin drew right behind jack with his first bowl, before Elgar, after getting a slide, sat it through. Goodin in turn killed the end and, on the replay, Elgar lodged a front toucher to advance.
Roberts was 19-14 down to West End’s Dave Wilson. But he sat through Wilson’s shot bowl for a full house and backed that up with a brace and a single to win 21-19.