BOWLS
CLASSIC SINGLES
By LIAM DURKIN
TWO time.
Corey Wedlock won his second Newborough Bowling Club Classic Singles, after defeating six-time champion Barrie Lester in a hotly competitive final 25-23.
Hot also accurately described much of the tournament, which was one of the warmest on record.
Day 3 (Wednesday, January 7) saw temperatures top 40 degrees. Play started early to allow games to go ahead, before the decision was made to stop around midday.
Wedlock seemed to have last Thursday’s final under control for the most part. He led by as much as 10 shots, before Lester staged a mighty comeback.
Lester had never lost a Newborough Singles, and gave Wedlock a huge scare late in the piece.
With the score reading 18-24, Lester got the equation back to 21-24, and then further to 23-24, closer and closer to the magical 25 shots needed.
Wedlock was clearly frustrated at letting the opportunity slip, but held his nerve enough to take victory.
The winner admitted that while there was a few heart-in-mouth moments, he was never fearing the worst.
“To be 24-16 up and feel in total control and then to face game wasn’t a nice feeling,” he said.
“Got a bit lucky, I was probably a little bit heavy but I was lucky enough to land the bowl, I didn’t want to be short, to be in that position was a bit rough to face game, but that’s how it goes sometimes.”
Needing to mow down such a huge deficit, Wedlock noticed a shift in momentum from Lester.
“As soon as he got that three to go 24-21, as soon as anyone is on the springboard to victory you never know what can happen,” he said.
“He was playing a pretty aggressive style of game. I don’t think too much changed, just sometimes a little bit of shift in momentum in sport is hard to get back
“Barrie has been around for a long time, very experienced, always hard to sometimes get that last one (shot) in singles.
“Credit to him, I thought I outplayed him on the draw but he kept hitting, kept killing and starting again, forcing me to keep doing it.”
Wedlock was greeted by well-wishes on the edge of the green, including from best mate Gary Kelly, who he lost to in last year’s final.
Kelly lost to Lester 25-15 in this year’s semi-final, while Wedlock held off 2023 champion Colin Veenendaal in an equally pulsating semi to the final, 25-24.
As they say, getting there is often the hardest part, and Wedlock showed just how cutthroat knockout tournaments can be.
Just one extra false draw in either match may have been enough to see the eventual champion eliminated.
The history books however will say he won the 2026 classic, adding to his triumph from two years ago.
Wedlock wished to pay tribute to Newborough Bowling Club for organising another fantastic event.
“I absolutely love coming here. It’s my third time, all the people here, the volunteers, the bar staff, catering staff, everyone that marks, it’s a great little country club,” he said.
“The greenkeepers put a lot of work in. With these hot days, making sure they are in good knick, overall very good.
“Battled through the first two games (in the heat), I wouldn’t have liked to have played that third game, it nearly got up to 41 degrees. I think it was the right decision by Newborough to postpone and make three games today (on Thursday).”
Wedlock, Kelly and Lester gave back to the club, marking games featuring local players testing themselves against some of the best.
Such is the regard of the Newborough Classic Singles, a waiting list exists for players wanting to get on.
That list is only set to increase next year when the tournament celebrates its 30 anniversary.
The MCC waiting list might be easier to get through at this rate.
Presentations were made in the clubrooms. Speeches were had from Latrobe City Mayor Sharon Gibson, and Energy Australia representative Nicholas King.
Council and the energy company have committed to backing the event for the foreseeable future.
The Newborough Classic Singles is a world (yes world) recognised bowls event.
Speaking of world, Wedlock will now turn his attention to hopefully getting a guernsey to represent Australia at this year’s Commonwealth Games.
The Queenslander won’t have to travel far for the Commonwealth Games … oh wait.
