Shane Garvey. Picture: ORLANDO CHIODO
SOUTH PACIFIC SINGLES FINAL
They've won a combined 15 carnival titles, been player of the carnival six times and tomorrow John Green and Shane Garvey will face off in a heavyweight South Pacific singles final.
Four-time singles defending champion Garvey outlasted 14-year-old Dylan Skinner 31-26 in his semi-final with Green beating former top Thirroul bowler James Webster 31-17 in the other semi.
Green and Garvey are also through to the pairs quarter-finals this morning, with Green tipping a tight singles decider.
"Hopefully we can play our best and if we do there won't be much in it," Green said.
"I'm playing well and that's all you can ask for ahead of a final."
For Garvey, his carnival will rank among the greats of the championship's 54 years after already winning 19 of 20 matches over seven days and reaching the singles and fours deciders; plus qualifying this morning for a pairs quarter-final against John Green.
No player has ever won a carnival clean sweep of singles, pairs and fours and though still two wins shy of making the pairs final, Garvey has already had an amazing carnival.
Called up to represent Australia in a pairs tournament in New Zealand this month, the 150-plus capped state representative is at the height of his powers; 12 years after winning his first South Pacific title in singles in 2001.
Garvey made it 17 carnival wins from 18 matches by beating Warilla's Jesse Noronha in their singles quarter-final to start day eight yesterday, then had to be at his best to see off Skinner - one of Australia's emerging stars - in their semi-final.
Just ahead of his third game for the day in the fours semi-final, Garvey said he was proud to be chasing a fifth singles title tomorrow.
"The singles is very special to me here," he said.
"I've been fortunate to hold my form. And I had to because Dylan played a great match."
Skinner, who is being coached by Garvey, was rapt to have made the semi-finals.
"Playing a world-class player like Shane is great experience," he said.
"He's already been a huge influence on my career and it's humbling to be coached by him."
The Green vs Garvey final is expected to start at 1pm tomorrow at Fairy Meadow Bowling Club.
