RACECOURSE Bowls Club duo Graeme Bennett and Norm Smith have created history, becoming the first Murray Mallee players to win a 60-and-over state title.
The pair won the state pairs competition at the finals in Bendigo, defeating some of the best senior bowlers in the state along the way.
Smith told The Guardian they were thrilled with their unexpected victory.
“We’re pretty happy – Graeme doesn’t say much, but even he was ecstatic,” Smith said.
“I’ve played in state events where I haven’t won a game. We were a bit surprised we went all the way and won it.”
It didn’t come easy for Smith and Bennett.
The pair had to come from behind in their first-round and quarter-final contests, including an 8-2 comeback against Goulburn Valley representatives Graeme King and John McKenzie.
It was a thriller in the final, with the game going down to the last end.
Bennett was calm under pressure, executing his final two bowls brilliantly to snatch the title away from Yarraville/Footscray duo Michael Galakos and Andrew Myers.
“The very last end, he put down two excellent bowls, which won it for us and saved my neck not having to bowl my last bowl,” Smith said.
After attempting for five years to even get through the regional level for this division, the journey is a culmination of hard work for the pair.
“We’ve been trying for years to win this event, even at the regional level, and this was the first time we did it,” Smith said.
It all finally came together, and we beat quality pairs on the way, so we were stoked to get through.
“We’ve had a good year, Graeme and I – everything’s worked well, and we’ve had a bit of luck, so it’s a nice way to finish a quality season with a success.”
