Sport
10 February, 2026
Vernon and Wright win champions tournament
Talbot’s Matthew Vernon and Highland’s Deborah Wright were crowned 2025/26 Goldfields Champion of Champions after two gripping finals on Sunday.
Vernon entered his Grand Final searching for his third title in four years after avenging his semi-final defeat to last season’s winner Chris Williams in the first round before following that up by conquering Tony Chambers 25-13 to make the finale.
There, he faced 2021 champion Greg Shay, who is currently in the midst of another superb season for Highland in both weekend and midweek pennants and bested Jim Brookshaw and Bill Burnett in the preliminary rounds the week prior.
Shay played some great bowls throughout the match, but he could do nothing to stop the stunning vein of form Vernon found himself in, winning the trophy 25-16.
Aided by his enjoyment and experience in singles events, Vernon said he remained deadly focused on maintaining his momentum, ensuring Shay had no openings to mount a comeback.
“It was good to get back, last year I didn’t have it, this year I had it,” he said.
“Last year, Chris just had the better of me. No one can beat Chris on his day. This year, a different story, as soon as I got over Chris, I knew that I could go on if I played my best.
“In team events, you are playing for the team, in single events you are playing for yourself, so you have got to decide what shots you are going to play without your skipper calling what shots you have to play.”
On the neighbouring rink, Avoca’s Allyson Hearnden was hoping to follow Vernon’s footsteps and rectify a nail-biting semi-final loss to eventual 2024/25 champion Leanne Wallis against Wright, who didn’t participate in last season’s tournament.
Hearnden looked poised to do just that after building a noticeable lead midway through the contest. However, Wright eventually clawed her way out of the deficit, drawing level at 20-20 to set the stage for a blockbuster finish.
After trading single-shot ends, Wright delivered a decisive blow with a three-shot end to place herself on the precipice of victory.
Hearnden managed to save two match ends to bring it back to 24-23, but her attempts to save a third failed to roll her way, handing Wright the trophy after a thrilling 25-23 finale.
Wright was all praise for her Grand Final opponent in her reflection on the match, identifying her ability to remain stoic while behind as a key reason for her victory.
“To make it all the way through in a year where I’ve sort of gone off bowls a bit is quite amazing, maybe I’ve just been a bit more relaxed,” she said.
“I’m proud for my parents also, they have been along the bowling journey with me, so I’m happy to win it for them also.
“Well done to Allyson, it could’ve gone either way — I just tried to keep the momentum going and just concentrate on the bowls. I didn’t get too nervous actually, I tried to settle down and just tried to get it close.”