Goulburn Valley Playing Area crowns 2023 singles champion of champions

Beginning with the men’s tournament, which ran on Sunday, February 12 and 19, Hancock produced a dominant five matches to come away with what he described as the best achievement of his career

“It is an unreal feeling (to be the Champion of Champions),” Hancock said.

“I never thought I would ever be able to achieve, this that’s for sure. There are a lot of quality players in the Goulburn Valley, so to have got up and won... words can’t describe it.

“This is my best achievement in bowls by a lot, I always want club success with Stanhope, but on a personal note, there is no topping this.”

Heading into the first day’s competition at Shepparton Golf Bowls Club, Hancock was considered somewhat of an outsider.

So much so, that he was one of just six players who had to play a round one match, with the top fancies all given a bye.

But that did not worry Hancock, as he easily accounted for Alexandra’s Larry Scott 25—12.

He then finished the first day with a thumping 25—8 round two win over Violet Town’s Harry Daley and a crushing 25—9 quarter-final triumph against Seymour’s Ian Eichfuss to advance to the final four.

“I am very much a one-game-at-a-time person, so I didn’t look too much into the draw,” Hancock said.

“That first Sunday was very windy and everyone was struggling with it, so it was a little bit of a luck-of-the-draw to be honest, they were drawing really wide and running on long, so there was certainly a lot of havoc out on the green.

“Playing the first round probably worked out well for me in the end because I got a better feel for the green, so I just got on a bit of a roll and played some great bowls.”

Now with a one-in-four chance of taking the title, Hancock arrived at Shepparton the following Sunday unsure how his game would stack up against the best the region had to offer.

But in the early stages of his semi-final against Tatura’s Darryn Carpenter, any questions he had were quickly answered, as he continued his hot form and dominated from start to finish to come away a handsome 25—4 victor.

“I was pretty switched on for that game, Darryn is a very good bowler, so I knew I had to be at my best to have a chance,” Hancock said.

“It was a bit unfortunate for Darryn because his bowling arm broke three-quarters of the way through, so that might have played a role, but I kept to the task and played some good bowls.

“That win left me about 20 minutes until the final started and the nerves certainly kicked in coming up against Kristoffer Ferguson on his green.”

Coming into the final in ripping form, Hancock was initially thwarted by a quick start by Ferguson, as the home-town bowler skipped away to an early 6—1 lead.

However, the slow start did not faze Hancock as he quickly levelled up before the two players traded blows to have the match tied at 17.

Set up for a grandstand finish, Hancock seized the moment and produced his absolute best, as he seized the moment and surged to an eventual 25—18 triumph.

Officially crowned the Champion of Champions, he described his emotions at the end of the final.

“It was an incredible moment and one that brought a tear to my eye,” he said.

“It’s something I wanted to achieve, but never thought it was possible, so to do it in front of mates and for the Stanhope Bowls Club, it was unbelievable.”

Sprague, who is a legend in the GVPA Hall of Fame, added to her illustrious list of accolades with the Champion of Champions title.

Sitting out the first round, Sprague began her quest in the round of 16 where she easily accounted for Hill Top’s Dianne Downie 25—11.

She was then far too good for Colbinabbin’s Rosemary McIntosh in the quarter-final, coming away with a 25—5 win, before a tight 25—19 win over Mooroopna’s Berna Nichols in the final four put her through to the final.

The final obstacle came in the form of Seymour’s Jan Wesselman and, in a tight clash, Sprague came through with the goods, winning 25—17 to be dubbed the champion.