Shaun Scott (North East Valley) displayed determination and tenacity to win the Bowls Dunedin champion of champions singles title and gain his fifth title and gold star on Monday night.
Scott (44) looked beaten when he trailed Eion Willis (St Clair) 0-15 after nine ends but he fought back tenaciously to win 21-20.
Scott, who grew up in Bannockburn, had been the bridesmaid in major events until last season, when he won the New Zealand champion of champions club singles title at Rotorua.
He had reached two national finals and the semifinals in the singles over the last two years. He was the beaten finalist in the singles at Dunedin, in 2007.
Scott used this experience to make a dramatic comeback and narrowly beat Willis, who won his only Bowls Dunedin senior title in champion of champions triples in 1987 with Gary Andrews and Ross Brown.
Willis, a former Otago rugby representative and the coach of the Southern team that won the premier banner in 1989, is used to pressure.
He could have won the game on the 14th end when he led 17-6 and had four shots on the head. But Scott drew the shot with is last bowl.
Willis gained three more singles and led 20-15 after 22 ends.
Scott kept plugging away and drew level at 20-all after 26 ends, and won the game on the 27th end.
