In a final that few would have predicted, Everett (58), an IT project manager at the University of Otago, overcame PBA rookie Jeff Cantwell's first set 13-3 thumping to scrap his way to victory in the second set and force a tie-break, which he won 2-0.
Cantwell's path to the final was nothing short of impressive, as he claimed the scalps of more-fancied and higher-ranked players such as Ray Webster (St Clair) and Elliot Mason (Forbury Park).
Only in his semifinal match with Travis Cook (Kia Toa) was he placed under any pressure.
His path to the final appeared plain sailing as he took the first set of his semifinal against Cook 10-3, only to falter and lose the second and deciding set 14-7.
Cantwell won the tie-break 2-0.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the draw, Everett notched up a series of impressive victories with some magical draw shots on his way to the final, none more so than in his epic semifinal with tournament favourite Andrew Kelly (Canterbury Blowing Club).
Kelly cleaned Everett out in the first set of the semifinal, winning 12-0, but in the second set it all went pear-shaped for the young Cantab, who succumbed to Everett's ability to draw shot, going down 14-5. Everett continued with his superb line and length to win the tie break 2-0 and send Kelly packing, to clinch his place in the final.
Cantwell (52), a retail marketer, and representative of the Morning Bowling Club, dominated the first set to win 13-3.
The second set proved an intense affair and Everett rebounded, leaping out to a 5-0 lead after the first three ends.
Cantwell answered back by bagging four shots on the fourth end to close the game up.
From them on, the two went shot for shot, with both displaying some impressive draw shots.
With the final all locked up at 7-all and one end to play, Cantwell needed the win to take the title while Everett needed it to force a tie-break.
Everett handled the pressure-cooker situation best to draw two shots and force a tie-break with a 9-7 victory.
Showing coolness under pressure, Everett drew shot with each bowl to win the tie-break 2-0 and win what had proved to be an epic final, taking his first PBA title and his first outside club competition.
For both Everett and Cantwell, reaching the Dunedin Region final will propel them up the national rankings, but just how far will depend on results from matches played in other centres over the weekend.
Cantwell, in his first year of PBA bowls, has a junior classification until he has been registered in PBA for five years, so is in the running for national honours as Rookie of the Year .
``Paul was playing long ends and he managed to find his track quite nicely,'' Cantwell said of Everett's victory.
``I was struggling to get my bowl up to the head and he took advantage of that.''
But for Everett it was a matter of trying to stay close in the second set after Cantwell got away to a flyer.
`I managed to get off to a bit of a start,'' Everett said of overcoming a nightmare first set and getting away to a positive start in the second.
``I managed to keep my nose in it,'' he added, referring to maintaining his momentum to win the tie break
