By Jack Rollings
Jim Bras Edges Out Jack Pater in Thrilling Monbulk Men’s Singles Final
The Monbulk Men’s Singles Championship final delivered a gripping contest as two familiar foes and mates, Jack Pater and Jim Bras, battled for club supremacy. Fresh off their victory in the Men’s Pairs Championship, the duo turned from teammates to rivals in a showdown that kept spectators enthralled until the very last bowl.
Both players brought championship pedigree to the rink—Pater, the 2008 titleholder, and Bras, the 2011 champion, proving that success in this event is hard-earned. Their road to the final had been anything but easy, each eliminating some of the club’s biggest names to earn their place in the decider.
The match itself was a tactical affair, with neither player able to establish a commanding lead. Ends were low-scoring, and every shot was a calculated effort in the tense, strategic battle. As the game neared its climax, both men found themselves in the “checkout zone,” each just one end away from victory. With the title hanging in the balance, it was Jim Bras who held his nerve when it mattered most.
Delivering under pressure, he secured the final shots needed to claim the championship and etch his name onto the honour board once again. While Pater fell agonisingly short of a second title, his performance showcased the skill and determination that had taken him to the final. The match was a testament to the fierce competition at Monbulk, where championship victories don’t come easy.
For Jim Bras, the wait is over. Thirteen years after his first singles title, he now stands once again as the Men’s Singles Champion of Monbulk.
Karen Rice Claims Fifth Monbulk Women’s Singles Title in Nail-Biting Final
The Monbulk Women’s Singles Championship final delivered a thrilling spectacle this week as four-time champion Karen Rice overcame a valiant challenge from first-time finalist Kylie Bailey in front of an enthusiastic crowd of club members and families.
Rice, a seasoned competitor with an impressive championship pedigree, came out firing, racing to an early lead before Bailey managed to get on the scoreboard. With Rice in full control and the finish line in sight, she surged to 24 shots in record time, needing just one more to claim a fifth title.
But in lawn bowls, that final shot can be the hardest to get. Bailey, with nothing to lose and a newfound confidence, staged a remarkable comeback. A stunning three followed by a four saw her suddenly break into double figures, turning the match into a tense battle. With every bowl, the pressure mounted on Rice, who had seemed untouchable just moments before.
Sensing the shift in momentum, the crowd rallied behind both players as Bailey continued to claw her way back. Meanwhile, Rice, just one shot from victory, fought to keep her composure. Nerves crept in, and for a moment, it looked as though the championship might slip from her grasp.
But champions rise when it matters most. Digging deep, Rice refocused, steadied her hand, and executed the shot she needed to finally secure the title. It was a moment of both relief and triumph as she sealed her fifth Monbulk Women’s Singles Championship in dramatic fashion.
The match was played in fantastic spirit, with both competitors embracing at the finish, earning the admiration of the sizeable crowd. While Bailey’s remarkable late charge fell short, she proved she is a force to be reckoned with in future championships.
Rice will now turn her attention to the region’s Champion of Champions event, where she will represent Monbulk in a knockout competition against other club champions. If her performance in this final is anything to go by, she will be a formidable contender.
