MIKE Yearsley has had to wait to savour a first success in a major final.
He lifted the Roberts Bakery Cup at Crosstown on Friday after resisting a comeback from Castle clubmate Jason Cornes in the final, and is now eager to repeat the trick.
“Now I’ve won one, it won’t be the last,” he said after a 21-15 victory.
“Over the past few years, I’ve been getting close.
“I’ve felt a big win was coming, and I’ve always backed myself to do it. I’m confident like that.
“It does feel good to finally get there, and it wasn’t easy.”
The 28-year-old deserved to celebrate after navigating the toughest course to a £300 first prize.
He had beaten five-time champion Tom Vickers (Wharton Cons) in the last eight, a contest during which he sent the bowl of the night long into a corner at 18-16 to prevent the Winsford star keeping hold of the block.
That clinched a semi-final date with best friend Andy Hamman, Yearsley had to be patient against the Guardian Cup holder, who had given him a lift to the venue.
Mike Roberts, from sponsors Roberts Bakery, with the eight bowlers attempting to get their hands on the Roberts Bakery Cup on Friday. Picture: Tommy Ratcliffe
After trailing 11-2, he soon recovered to 13-across before taking the lead for the first time.
He did not let it slip, eventually moving through 21-16.
“Andy built up such a big lead I was worried I wouldn’t score,” admitted Yearsley.
“I was imagining how much stick I’d get off my mates, but luckily I managed to find a way back.”
He was a clear favourite in the final after establishing a 14-7 lead, an advantage he maintained at 16-9 with a strike when his opponent expected to score.
However his celebrations were delayed when a break of five from Cornes, started with Yearsley on the verge of a victory at 20-10, suggested an unlikely comeback might be on.
The 52-year-old will have certainly thought so when his two woods lay closest to the jack at the next end, only for his teammate to thread the bowl that followed between them.
“That was a good way to win it!” laughed Yearsley.
“It was hard, because I know how good Jase when he gets you chasing into a corner. That’s not me, I’m not a reacher.
“Instead I tried to put them close and apply pressure – it’s something I’ve picked up from watching the top county guys.
“I go after every bowl, and it gets into my opponents’ faces. It unsettles them.”
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