JOSH Thornton has fallen just short of becoming a three-time national champion, the Murray Downs bowler having finished with the silver medal in this year’s men’s singles B7/8 para national championships.
Thornton made his way to the final on Monday night after going through the tournament undefeated before falling to South Australia’s Christopher Flavel 21-16 in the decider.
The Murray Downs skipper started well, taking a four-shot lead after winning the first three ends, before Flavel responded in what proved to be a see-sawing encounter.
Thornton held the lead for all of the first 15 ends bar one, but Flavel gained three shots in the 16th end to turn the match on its head.
From there, the South Australian had all the momentum, winning five of the last six ends to record a five-shot win.
Thornton also competed in the national para 14-point pairs titles alongside fellow Victorian Greg Toy.
The pair recorded one win, one tie and a loss in the qualifying rounds.
Their opening match against New South Welshmen Michael Vassallo and Anthony Brown proved to be the deciding game of their tournament, with an 11-all tie being the factor in Thornton and Toy missing the semi-finals.
Thornton has remained in Perth, where he and Murray Downs teammates Garry McCaig, John Caldwell and Brian Lehmann will represent Victoria in the national fours championships next weekend.
