2022 Commonwealth Games: Day 9 wrap
The ninth and final day of the 2022 Commonwealth Games bowls action served up a golden finish for the Australian Jackaroos, producing one of the most memorable days in Australian bowls history.
Heading into the day, the women’s pairs side were set to take on England in a final in the first session of the day, with Aaron Wilson battling it out in a semi final shortly afterwards, aiming to reach back-to-back singles finals.
Things could not have panned out any better for Team Australia, coming away with two gold medals on the day.
The victories took Australia to the top of the bowls medal table, with three gold medals and three silvers from 11 disciplines.
Wilson’s victory marks the first occasion one nation has claimed both men’s and women’s singles titles at a Commonwealth Games, with Ellen Ryan successful earlier in the week.
Check out how the men’s singles and women’s pairs wrapped up.
Women’s Pairs
In a Commonwealth Games final for the ages, Australia claimed its second gold medal on the Leamington Spa greens courtesy of Ellen Ryan and Kristina Krstic.
Taking on English duo Sophie Tolchard and Amy Pharaoh, a close contest could be predicted right from the outset, with all four players on the money from the very start.
It was the English pair who made the early break in the contest however, breaking away to an 11-2 lead after six ends to put the Australians on the back foot.
Pharaoh was immense throughout the contest, often converting shots up while down numbers.
With Australia holding three on the fifth end, Pharaoh trailed the jack to go one up and keep the momentum England’s way.
The momentum turned after the sixth end, with the Aussies working their way back into the match.
A little luck began going Australia’s way, and Ryan began to match Pharaoh’s level to bring the Jackaroos back within one shot after 10 ends.
The 13th end could have proved a game-breaking one, with England putting together their most wayward bowls as Australia capitalised to score four and go ahead 16-12.
“Krissy was playing so well, nailing it up front, giving me the confidence to play the shots where I needed to,” Ryan said.
Just as it looked like Australia could have pulled away, England bounced right back with a four of their own to level the scores once again.
“When we picked up that four at no point did I think ‘we’ve got this’. I knew they were going to fight back harder,” Krstic said.
“We never really spoke about it, we didn’t worry about being behind. We just kept fighting.”
Heading into the 18th end, England led by one shot with last bowl in their hands.
The Australians held two, match and the gold medal with one bowl to play, but Pharaoh was clutch being able to knock one of the shot bowls out to force an extra end.
A crucial coin toss went the way of Australia, giving the mat away to give themselves last bowl, a decision that would prove crucial later.
Ryan and Pharaoh played the end of their lives, as the jack was moved sideways. Pharaoh drew the shot, leaving Ryan one opportunity to win gold for Australia.
Just as she had done all week, Ryan stepped up to the occasion to collect Pharaoh’s bowl, leaving Australia with shot and running away with the gold.
Krstic said the feeling of winning gold with her best friend was hard to describe.
“The feeling is indescribable. For it to actually come true is amazing. I’m so proud of us and our efforts. We stuck by each other very step of the way,” she said.
“It’s a dream come true for us. I think it will just bring us closer as friends.”
Krstic and Ryan join Lynsey Clarke and Karen Murphy as Australian Commonwealth Games women’s pairs champions, with Clarke and Murphy triumphant at Melbourne in 2006.
Final: def England 19-18 (on extra end)
Men’s Singles
Aaron Wilson is a two-time Commonwealth Games singles gold medal after a clinical display on the final day of play at Leamington Spa.
Facing pre-Games favourite Iain McLean (Scotland) in the semi final, Wilson was dominant from the outset, running away with a 12-shot win.
The victory set him up with a final against Northern Ireland’s Gary Kelly, who is based out of Warilla in Australia.
Wilson’s experience shone through in the final, racing away to a 12-0 lead, and allowing Kelly to score just three shots in a crushing gold medal victory.
Wilson brought pressure from the start, putting Kelly under the pump from the outset.
‘Disco’ was near robotic at times as hew drew shots with ease and played runners with perfection.
“I bowled pretty good today, performed really good this morning and to redo it again this afternoon and get the job done, I’m over the moon,” he said.
“I just go through the process, process is key, trust the process.”
He becomes just the second man to win back-to-back Commonwealth Games singles gold medals, having won gold four years ago on the Gold Coast.
Wilson thanked the support he has received back home, as well as his ‘Jackaroos family’.
“I’m just lost for words at the moment. Obviously as a group we haven’t done that good over here before. The whole squad with the Jackaroos has been unbelievable. Pretty proud to be the most successful team here, certainly pretty special,” he said.
“Family and friends are everything. It is pretty special, can’t wait to share the moment with my partner, little bubba and my family.”
Semi final: def by Iain McLean (Scotland) 21-9
Final: def Gary Kelly (Northern Ireland) 21-3
