Evans makes history with fifth BSA Masters title win

Jason Evans joined elite men’s company in the Bowls South Africa Masters history books with a fifth title in the Open division on Sunday at Wingate Park Country Club.

Evans had it all to do during the final day with his place in the gold medal match far from secure following two days of intense sectional play.

The current Proteas No 1, though, started his final sectional match against defending champion Niksa Benguric with the kind of intensity that few bowlers could ever try to emulate.

While keeping to his normal self as a funny, jovial character before the game and at times during it, his demeanour on the green soon showed that he was there to do the business.

Evans never relented in the match against Benguric as he knew he needed to win and do so well if he was to stand any chance of playing for gold.

In the end, he finished the match well to ensure that his side of the bargain had been kept.

Evans was then an onlooker, one of many that visited Wingate Park CC this weekend, for the match between Port Natal’s Wayne Rittmuller and Sables star Wilson Malobolo. If Rittmuller did indeed lose the fixture then it would be likely that Evans would advance with perhaps some interest in the shot aggregates between Rittmuller and Evans.

Ironically, this decisive match featured the only two players to have toppled Evans in roughly 25 matches at Wingate Park in the event. It was a tense encounter with neither player giving way before Malobolo struck the blows with his expert and precise drawing game.

Rittmuller never gave up but the pressure from Malobolo told as he ran out the winner which meant Evans would indeed get his shot at another gold medal.

He would face the challenge of Proteas teammate Wayne Roberts, fresh off the back of a gold medal in the singles at the African States and a potential pretender to the throne that Evans currently holds possession of.

Again, the match was evenly poised as Evans and Roberts struggled to take control of proceedings.

Eventually it was Evans, who has never lost a final in the event, who hammered home the advantage picking up a four to move clear down the business end.

He then forced Roberts to play a great shot to save the match but that only seemed to spur Evans on to even better shot-making.

One of the shots of the entire tournament saw Evans play with some weight to push his opponent’s bowl out of the head as he stayed for the shots he needed to get to 21.

Evans let out a roar of approval and quickly turned to signal to his wife, Louise, in the stands with five fingers outstretched.

It was a remarkable showing of grit and determination as he forced his way into the gold medal match before showing why he remains the player to beat.

His reward? A trip to the World Indoor Bowls Championships in Guernsey as well as a place in the history books.

Evans joins Gerry Baker and Doug Watson as the only men with five titles in this showpiece event.

“It does feel good … I’m a bit exhausted to be honest but I’m feeling on top of the world,” said Evans shortly after the final win.

“This is a tough competition and you are on the greens against the best all weekend. I’m just so happy that I managed to get over the line.”

In getting over the line, he relegated Wayne Roberts to a silver medal.

“Wayne is a top, top guy and a great player. Certainly one of the best six players in the country. He has an excellent future ahead of him and will definitely play in a lot more finals,” said Evans about his opponent.

Speaking about his match-winning shot, he said: “I needed to play with weight, the correct weight because if it went wrong then I’ve could’ve dropped a three. I was looking for the split and I thought it was good when it left my hand. Got the maximum result … which of course, was great.

“To win five ... to join Gerry, a good friend, it’s special.”

Evans might have No 6 in sights but he knows it will be tough.

“The fields are getting better and there’s no easy game. Hopefully I can get there one day but for now, I’m going to just enjoy this victory.”

Evans with his iconic pre-delivery routine on Sunday at Wingate Park Country Club.

Evans was joined in the medals by Kenny Kyriacou (Men’s Veterans bronze), Wayne Roberts (Men’s Open silver), Emma Murphy (U30 Women’s bronze), Brad Robinson (Men’s Open bronze) and Esme Kruger (Women’s Open bronze)!