World Singles Championship progress for Garioch bowler Jason Banks
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Garioch Bowler Jason Banks could meet World No1 and current champion Les Gillett of England later in the week if he continues to hold form at the World Singles Championship at Potters Resort.
In his opening game on Saturday, Jason almost threw away the match, when he was coasting in the second set 9-5 with two ends to play, after winning the 1st set easily 8-3.
He was drawing and scoring well, bowl after bowl in the second set, up to the 6th end with the score 9-5.
Whether he relaxed, knowing there were only two ends to go, or mentally switched off feeling the match was won, he lost his superb drawing against Darren Weir (Ardrossan Club/Scotland).
At the 7th end he lost two shots to leave the score 9-7.
The last end Darren was lying a further two shots, and with his last bowl just failed to draw a third which would have won the set 9-10, with extra ends to come.
It finished 9-9 and Jason was now up against Simon Skelton (England) on Monday morning.
From the start he hit form, drawing to the jack regularly.
In Set 1, Jason was lying with his first or second bowl in seven ends forcing Skelton to strike, but seldom did this work.
He tried with two bowls in the fifth end but failed with both.
Even when he was down Jason was able to tap out Skelton and the Englishman had no answer to the drawing of Jason.
Set 2 saw Banks take 4 shots at the first end.
In the second end he was again up 4 but Skelton smashed the head, and with the re-spot he had one shot.
Skelton took the third but again by 1 shot.
Was there to be fight back like Jason’s first match.?
He went up a gear forcing Skelton to strike regularly and the fourth end saw brilliant drawing again, and Simon took the end by 1 shot.
The score was then 5-2.
Skelton was now trying everything to upset Jason’s drawing and took the 6th with a superb draw, touching the jack with Jason being 1 foot past the jack.
The seventh end killed the game with Banks having two bowls within 6ins of the jack.
Being 3 shots up at the seventh end he took another 2 shots.
Skelton had to get a score at the eighth and he did by taking 1 shot
The final score 8-4.
He now awaits the outcome of Les Gillett vs Stuart Irwin to find out his next opponent before his upcoming match which is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.
