Emu Point bowls star Matt Mitchell wins second Bowls WA Men’s Country Week Championship singles title

After dubbing the past bowls campaign an “almost season”, Albany’s Matt Mitchell took out his second singles title at the Bowls WA men’s country week tournament earlier this month. The Emu Point star triumphed over York’s determined two-time winner Justin Smith in a thrilling final at Osborne Park Bowling Club on Friday, March 8, securing his second plate with a 21-16 victory. Mitchell admitted this season has not been his best but was overjoyed with lifting his second singles title since his maiden Bill Matthews Memorial Trophy back in 2020. “It’s very pleasing because I’ve had one of those seasons where it’s a lot of almosts, so it’s just nice to get to get the reward coming to the end of the season,” the 33-year-old said. “I think anytime you go to country week you’re after the title and for me personally, I love singles and every singles event I play in I target - I set myself for them. “I managed to jump out the blocks, I think I was 12-2 up or something and then he fought back and got back to go back to level pegging. “I then snuck away again and I won 21-16 so it was very pleasing to get the win. “The conditions had changed and so I just had to resettle and go again. “Even when he was fighting back and I missed a couple of shots I should have got, I always felt I was still in control.” Mitchell progressed through to the decider after smashing Bunbury’s Michael Spadaccini 21-6 in the semifinal after cruising to a 21-15 quarterfinal triumph over Carnamah’s Wayne Counsel. Mitchell made it to the quarterfinals of the doubles tournament alongside partner Jon Sharp but bowed out after going down to Pinjarra pair Leon Birch and John McCooke 19-14. Mitchell conceded it was disappointing to lose the eventual grand finalists and not complete the country week double. “We just had one of them games where you just get beaten, it was unfortunate,” he said. “It was disappointing. We were sort of gunning for the double and it was just a result we didn’t get.” Mitchell said he was aiming for the Lindsay Rosenthal Medal for most outstanding State bowler of the year and is eyeing the Champion of Club Champions competition next month. Albany quartet Johnathon Davidson, Clive Bahr, Craig Hitchcock and Dean Offer made it to the semifinal of the fours at country week but lost to eventual champions Brad Ball, Peter Retallack, Leon Birch and John McCooke of Pinjarra in a 18-17 nailbiter.