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Underdogs from the outset, few gave Gunnedah duo Scott Thorning and Nathan Wise a glimmer of hope to take out the recent 2014 NSW State Pairs Championship.
Indeed the scepticism was warranted, given they faced formidable opposition from a wealth of Australian and international representatives.
Not even Scott himself considered them a chance in the knockout competition played on the Central Coast.
“We went down there not expecting to win,” Thorning said.
“We thought we would be competitive but didn’t think we could win.”
To their own surprise, the local pair not only won their maiden title in just their second appearance, they blew their opposition off the green to win the final in convincing fashion, 23-13.
“There is no better feeling than winning a state title,” he said.
“It’s the ultimate, it’s what we all play for.
“You can win more prizemoney in some tournaments locally but you don’t get the same honour.
“To win this and say you’ve beaten all those blokes, internationals included, and you’re the best two in the state at this time, it’s a big honour.”
There were a few nervous moments at the start of the final but after a quick stop at the bar, the country pair was back to winning form.
“We were down 7-2 after six ends, so we both got together and said we’ve got to have a beer,” Scott explained.
“I mean, we were a bit nervous.
“All Nath said was ‘go and get yourself a beer and do what we’ve been doing’.
“Then the game turned and we won the next couple by about 12 or 13 to one.
“Then we got to a six or seven gap lead and built on that.
“They were never going to catch us after that.”
The refreshments might have calmed the big-game nerves but Scott was wise to not push his luck.
“It’s like snooker at the pub, it goes alright for a little while but if you over-do it, it’s no good,” he said.
“We were probably the only ones who enjoyed a couple of beers while we were playing.”
Both Thorning and Wise have been playing bowls for decades and are good mates on and off the green.
“We’re like family,” Thorning said, adding that it comes in handy during competition knowing what the other is thinking before a shot is played.
“We very rarely speak, we just do our own thing,” he said.
Wise plays premier league for Dubbo – a tournament featuring some of the best bowlers around.
“It’s full of internationals... full of talent,” Thorning said.
So good was Wise’s performance at the state meet, he was selected in the Country side which will play City at Cabramatta next week.
Unfortunately the state title is the end of the line for the Gunnedah winners, as no Australian pairs championships exists presently.
“You used to play for an Australian title but can’t do that anymore which is a bit disappointing,” Thorning said.
In any event, both were content to savour the spoils of a remarkable victory in their bowling careers.
“We both played very well and I know myself I couldn’t have played any better,” he added.