Warilla hosted the 2012 Junior South Pacific Carnival from 16-20 January. The weather looked very threatening over the weekend prior to the commencement of play, however it cleared with much relief, offering only 2 or 3 heavy downpours but not enough to disrupt play. All competitors’ skills were put to the test, competing on 4 different surfaces (Tiff dwarf Grass, Shellharbour’s Couch green -Synthetic and the Indoor green). With 88 Singles players and 47 Pairs teams this event is as tough as they come for the best NSW and Australia has to offer. Day one of the Singles event saw a mix of results with most favourites advancing to the knockout stage. But not all the favourites got there as this year the standard was much stronger. The Pairs event eventually matched Tom Hull and Sean Mawdsley against Josh Annetts and Jack Bowsher in a see-sawing final. Tom and Sean jumped the gun and looked to run away with convincing 18-12 lead, however Josh and Jack fought their way back and levelled the score at 19 all and forced and extra end. With Sean down on the head and one bowl left to play a fortunate result saw Tom and Sean take the Title with a grand stand finish. The Under 16 Singles Final was contested by Dubbo Railway’s pocket rocket Jono Davis against Goulburn Railway’s star Ellen Ryan. Ellen gained the upper hand early in the match
but could not shake Jono who never surrendered his spirit and made Ellen earn every shot in a quality match. Ellen won the Championship 31 – 20 and both players showed the crowd how entertaining and intense Junior Bowls can get. The Open Singles or the blue ribbon event was contested by the in form and rapidly rising Ben Glasson against Warilla’s Natalie Noronha. Ben Glasson, coming off his South pacific pairs win partnering his father Steve, had his eye on the prize from the first end, but Natalie also had plans, already becoming the first Junior to contest both Singles Finals in successive years. Natalie was defeated in the Under 16 Singles Final last year giving her an opportunity to show her skills and gain the approval from selectors, but Ben Glasson on the day was almost unbeatable. Producing an outstanding performance with precision and class Ben raced away with a commanding lead and although Natalie played with courage and tried everything in her power the day belonged to Ben, taking the Title 31-13.
