Marquee match-up to kick off finals week
Bowls SA’s 2022/23 finals week at the Lockleys Bowling Club is set to provide plenty of exciting action, including one particular match-up on day one.
The men’s and women’s state pairs final 16 and quarter-final matches will be held on Saturday, April 15, with one match-up set to attract plenty of eyeballs.
The men’s round of 16 will see Adelaide’s Brett Davis and Corey Hicks take on the Grange duo of Tyson Wilson and Ben Bowman in a hotly anticipated contest.
Tyson said he is looking forward to finals week with a partner he has full confidence in.
“I haven’t made it to the final 16 in the pairs for a few years now, so I’m really looking forward to it and hopefully we can go all the way,” he said.
“Ben plays third for me on Saturdays, so we work pretty well together.”
Tyson knows he and Ben will have their work cut out for them against a tough pair.
“Their strengths are that they get plenty of bowls close, which will make life harder for us,” he said.
“I have played against them a fair bit, so it is good to know how they go about their games.”
Tyson said he “loves” the finals week concept and is looking forward to a big week of bowls.
“I love having a week for all the finals, it brings a bit more atmosphere playing them all together rather than just playing them on a weekend.”
Ben highlighted why he believes his partnership with Tyson has been successful so far.
“We both play the same sort of game, we are both chilled, relaxed types of guys,” he said.
“We don’t stress out about things, we just play our bowls and whoever wins, wins.”
Ben is looking forward to taking on two bowlers he has plenty of respect for in the round of 16.
“Brett is a very experienced and extremely confident lawn bowler, so you have to be on your best game,” he said.
“Corey is a young up-and-comer, he is a friend of mine, so we should have some good banter going back and forth while we are playing.”
Ben echoed Tyson’s sentiments regarding finals week.
“I think it is a good idea to have everything in the same place so spectators can come down and watch, and players can train for the event,” he said.
“If you get through to the last 16 you can start training and by the time it comes around you should be really on your best game.”
Brett said he is looking forward to a big week of bowls.
“I haven’t really entered many state events over the past few years, so it is all pretty new to me again,” he said.
“10 years ago I was up and about in everything, but circumstances have changed, so this is the first time I have really entered a state event in quite a few years.”
Brett was full of praise for his pairs partner and Adelaide Bowling Club teammate.
“Corey is a good, young kid, with a huge future and potential,” he said.
“It was a bit of a last-minute thing, I think we entered about three minutes before closing time.
“He has been given a crack to skipper in the Premier League halfway through this season and he has grabbed it with both hands.
“He is a great kid, he is humble and definitely not arrogant and he is a pleasure to play with.
“I’m 20 years his senior and at times he has been the calming influence, which I think says a lot about him as an 18-year-old.”
Brett believes the round of 16 match-up is like a “mini final” against one of the most well-credentialed teams in the draw.
“They are two members of the best team in pennants for the last however many years,” he said.
“I only played against them two weeks ago and they were playing in the same rink.
“Prior to that, I can’t remember having played them before.
“I don’t know heaps about Ben, he is obviously a handy player.
“I have probably come across Tyson a bit more over the years.
“Having looked at the draw, Corey and I agreed that this game is like a mini-final in a way, they are one of the toughest teams to beat.
“We are looking forward to the challenge.
“We aren’t going in with huge expectations, it is just another game.
“I have played enough over the years to know it is about playing your own game, but obviously there is huge respect there for them.”
The state pairs semis and finals will be held the following day, before champion of champion singles and pairs action during the week, with state singles final 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals to wrap up the action. More information on the upcoming Bowls SA finals week, including the final 16 draws for the state pairs and singles.
