Johannes Eager To Keep Title

Illawarra Mercury

Saturday December 27, 2008

By JOEL RITCHIE

WINNING the singles at the 49th South Pacific Bowls Carnival sparked a golden year for Warilla's Eric Johannes, who hopes to repeat the dose in the event's golden anniversary edition, which starts today.

Earlier this year, Johannes defeated Towradgi's Brian Harriott 31-18 in the singles final to kick-start a season littered with individual and team success.

After his maiden South Pacific victory, Johannes won the Warilla club triples, fours, Zone 16 major pairs, Zone 16 triples and played in the Gorillas' team that won the Illawarra pennants and the Zone 16 team that won the RNSWBA Inter-Zone Championship.

"I have had a good year, every big tournament I played in I made at least the quarter-finals," Johannes said.

However, Johannes' success has been a double-edge sword, as he has been battling heel spurs and an achilles tendon problem in the lead-up to his defence of the South Pacific singles title.

"I've been carrying the injury for eight weeks, but because of all the bowls I have been playing I haven't had a chance to rest it," Johannes said. "I'm just going to have to play more conservative bowls."

That won't be easy in arguably the strongest South Pacific singles field in history.

Johannes will start his campaign on Monday at Bulli, the same venue as the section including major tournament drawcard Steve Glasson, who for years was regarded as Australia's best bowler.

"Shane Garvey, Tom Ellem, John Green and all my boys at Warilla are all big threats," Johannes said.

Johannes is also primed for pairs play, which starts tomorrow.

For the first time, the South African will team with his 14-year-old son, Kyle, to contest the pairs.

Johannes conceded winning the pairs with his son would eclipse singles' glory.

"It would be a highlight of my career," Johannes said.

"It will be interesting to play with Kyle. He's going to be watching what I'm doing very closely."

A field of 240 bowlers - divided into 60 four-man sections - will contest the singles draw, which will be played at 15 venues around the Illawarra.

Post-sectional play in the singles will start at host club Albion Park next Friday.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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