Jason Banks, 26, from the Garioch club in the North of Scotland, who battled through from the Scottish qualifying event at Abbeyview late last year, had to overcome another Scot earlier today (Saturday 14th January) when he ended the hopes of Ardrossan’s Darren Weir, 23 – the winner of the Glasgow qualifier 8-3, 9-9.
The two Scots went head-to-head to take the last of the preliminary round qualifying spots and bag a place in the @Imagine Cruising World Indoor Bowls Singles Championship event proper with the winner then earning the right to play world number 16 Simon Skelton in the 1st Round on Monday 16th January.
In a match of pinpoint accuracy from both players, Jason took the set 8-3.
He raced into an 8-0 six end lead. Darren though did get on the card, and although he didn’t do much wrong over the set, his late charge was too little too late, rolling in a double and single, which wasn’t enough to take the set to a 9th end
Jason was like a man on a mission, continuing his exacting form in the second set, opening with a double and treble to stand at 5-0.
Darren though dug deep and countered with a single and double to cut the deficit to 5-3.
Jason however, once again asserted his authority to stretch his lead to 8-3 but was very nearly caught on the finishing line after Darren scored doubles on three of the remaining four ends.
He required a treble on the last to force an extra end but fell short with his second delivery and then overplayed his last bowl, so had to settle for a double, share the set at 9-9 to give Jason a win by one and a half sets to a half.
Match Result -
Jason Banks (Abbeyview Qualifier) bt Darren Weir (Glasgow Qualifier) 8-3, 9-9.