Published: 02/09/2010 14:06 -
Updated: 02/09/2010 14:15
A DREAM came true for bowls player Steve Mitchinson when he won the Jolliman English National Singles Championship.
The 35-year-old, from Church Langley in Harlow, clinched the much coveted title when he beat Sussex's Scott Edwards on Friday to win the final 20-8.
The win in Worthing, West Sussex, came after he had won five earlier rounds over two days of fierce competition at Beach House Park, the home of the national finals.
Mitchinson said: "It's one of those competitions you dream about winning but never winning it. I lost by 21-20 to Lee Williamson in the semi-finals a few years back.
"Winning the English singles is the pinnacle of any bowls player. It's the thing everyone aims for."
Mitchinson, who plays indoor bowls at Bush Fair's Tye Green but outdoor bowls for Romford, looked down and out when he was 7-0 down after two ends in his semi-final against Hampshire's Barry Starks.
Mitchinson then had a run of 20 shots without reply, steering him to the verge of victory. He eventually won this tie with a single shot on the 15th end, giving him a 20-14 win.
"I started to play better after he went 7-0 up and the pressure told on him a bit," admitted Mitchinson.
"I played three games on Thursday and then three on the Friday. Each match lasts for two hours and it's quite tiring. Everything just clicked and fell into place."
Mitchinson's other wins included one against current England international Neil Hope in the last 16 and a 21-17 triumph over Steve Bailey from Nottinghamshire in the last eight.
"The odds shortened when I beat Neil Hope. They were quite long before!" joked Mitchinson.
Mitchinson is now targeting an England appearance next year.
He attributed part of his success to his family life.
His girlfriend Angela and 10-month son Hayden were among his supporters in West Sussex.
"I am more relaxed than I used to be and do not get as worked up as I used to," he said.
"Being a father I see it in more perspective. At the end of the day if I lose I can go back to my family. I am able to relax more in games."
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