Experience proved to be the deciding factor in the Final of the Youth Novice Singles when, incidentally, the most experienced participant met the least experienced player.
The Final between 24-year-old Max Fung and 12-year-old schoolgirl Pang Sze Hang was played at the Ap Lei Chau Sports Complex last Sunday March 17.
Fung has seven years of bowling experience, mostly from the time when he studied at the University of Sydney, Australia. Conversely, his opponent has only bowled for seven months, starting from last September.
In a Final between a university graduate and a junior school student, the gulf of quality was fully evident and the game was won on the seventh end—three short of the original schedule.
Fung, who works as a dietician at local pharmaceutical chain, believes it is his maturity and experience that made the difference throughout the competition.
“All my opponents are of a younger age, so I am stronger mentally and psychologically. This is very important in a mind-game such as lawn bowls,” said Fung.
“For example, in one of the earlier rounds I was losing 5:0 at one stage, but I stayed calm and came back from behind to win that game. It gave me a big boost psychologically and my confidence soared. Once you get that feeling, you know you are going to achieve something.”
He started bowling back in Australia under the influence of his father, a bowler with the Indian Recreation Club. Like a lot of people, he thought the sport is an old man’s game.
“After participating in the game, with a number of league appearances for Hornsby Club in Sydney, I think it is also suitable for teens because it really tests your mental ability and skill.”
The defeated finalist, Pang thinks that she is a bit too nervous in the Final.
“This is my first competition and I am very tense in the last game. This makes me lose control and I never get the touch back.”
Pang, a Form 1 student at the St Stephen’s Girls’ College, started lawn bowls at the school’s training program.
“At first I knew nothing about the sport, but now I find it interesting. I look forward to participating in the Inter-School competition later this year.”
The Youth Novice competition is open to bowlers under the age of 25 who have never won any national competitions or youth competitions. This year, 50 youngsters, including 37 boys and 13 girls, participated in the two-day competition. The number of entries represents a slight decrease from last year’s 56.
The competition format is a multiple level round-robin. Players are divided into 14 groups in the first round, with the winner, the second- and four best third-placed players qualifying for the next round. In the second round, the players are divided into eight groups, with the winner of each group qualifying for the knock-out stage.
Claudius Lam is an Officer with the Hong Kong Lawn Bowls Association.
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