Young star White downs Evans to win singles title

Local star Paul White has written his name in the bowls headlines following his singles triumph at the National Championships at Stella Park Bowls Club.

White did it the hard way too …

On a dramatic final day in Durban, White beat two Proteas bowlers to win the biggest title that bowls has to offer.

First, he tussled with Nic Rusling in the semi-finals first up in the morning. And that’s not forgetting he beat one of the best ever players in the discipline, Gerry Baker, 21-20 in the quarter-finals.

White wins it in style

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Against Rusling, White was in control of the game – which is played as a “first to 21 shots” showdown – before the experienced Rusling came back midway through the game. Both players were aggressive with several ends needing to be replayed following drives at the head. Rusling reduced the margin to a couple of shots before White powered.

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Ultimately, the youngster was able to prevail 21-11 to advance to the gold medal match against current Proteas No 1 Jason Evans.

Evans, last year’s runner-up, had blasted his way into the finals with several convincing wins – including a 21-10 win over fellow Johannesburg bowler James Galloway – before meeting White.

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Evans downed again at the final hurdle

The underdog White kept his nerves at bay to win the singles title – and a spot at the prestigious Bowls South Africa Masters in 2024 – with a 21-14 win over Evans.

It will be a win that will long be remembered by the talent star, who has his name engraved on the trophy alongside the best the game as ever seen.

Evans was due to play the pairs final later in the day.

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