WBT @ West Lothian Indoor Bowling Club
FINAL
Jason Banks claimed his maiden WBT win as he won the Scottish International Open at West Lothian Indoor BC. The Garioch man ended the fairytale run of qualifier Aaron Johnson in the showpiece final.
Both players had a nervy start to proceedings with a scrappy first end resulting in Banks drawing the winner with his last bowl. He quickly found his rhythm and added a full count of four at end 2 to lead 5-0. Johnson looked to have given Banks too much room when his reaching bowl opened up the head to give his opponent room all around the jack, to the crowd and Johnson’s surprise Banks failed and the qualifier was off and running with a gift of a treble. Banks continued his dominating of the early bowls, rarely failing with his first delivery. To Johnson credit he stayed with the world number 7 throughout the set, adding a great double at the second last to trail by just 2 shots. An opening jack high bowl by Johnson proved too tempting for Banks as he ran the jack to the ditch. He did leave space on the green which Johnson greatly accepted before Banks replied to secure the second shot and with it the first set.
Banks looked in control of everything about the rink and forced the game on Johnson, the qualifier with an unbelievable minimum result from a runner at end 2 leaving Banks five foot to add for a full count. Johnson composed himself and saved a set and match defining moment to draw the set level 1-1 rather than a 5-1 deficit. Banks did punish with a three the next end and took full control with singles at ends four and five. With Johnson lying one, Banks produced the shot of the match and perhaps the week. Opting to arrive at the head and alter rather than look for back position, Banks landed the front plant perfectly to remove the Johnson bowl with precision to lie a maximum of four shots for the third time in the match. This time Johnson could not find the answer, running at the head and finding nothing on the way to the ditch. Banks wrapped up his first WBT title at end 7 with a single.
Jason remarked after, “I’m really chuffed, I don’t know what to say! I'm quite happy to get over the line in the final. Happy the way I dug in some of the games after not playing my best at times throughout the week.I have lost a couple of finals in recent times so happy to get my hands on the trophy here at West Lothian”
Jason Banks beats Aaron Johnson sets 2-0 (9-8, 11-1)
(Matt Osborne)
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