Congratulations to Stephen Zino for winning the Professional Bowls Association qualifier in Hastings for the Welsh International Open Singles. In a gripping final, Stephen overcame Gisborne-East Coast’s Robin Jefferson sharing one set each and snatching victory in a best of three end tiebreak. Stephen was four down in the second end when he dragged the jack to the back of the rink, and then again lying shot down with his last bowl of the third end, drew the shot. It was sweet revenge for Victoria after Robin had earlier accounted for both Hayley May and Richard Corry.
Stephen now gets to play at PBA Finals Weekend in Dunedin September 3-5th and will play Jamie Hill (Auckland) and Peter Wilson (Dunedin) for a place in Wales next February. It was a welcome breakthrough for Stephen who had previously lost PBA tournament finals in 2004 and 2006.