BOWLS
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Ben Glasson's biggest career win in knocking out defending South Pacific singles champion John Green has left him with his greatest challenge - beating his bowls legend father Steve in Friday's quarter-final.
The Glassons won three matches each yesterday with Ben's stunning 25-19 triumph over Green at Windang BC the upset of the tournament.
Now Ben has to beat his Australian coach father for a semi-final spot against either Jeff Smith (Cabramatta) or Towradgi's Jamie Johanson.
"It's probably my biggest open win getting past Johnny Green, whose had such a tremendous year," Ben Glasson said.
"I've only played dad once before in singles in club singles (Mt Lewis) in early 2013 and he got past me that day, but I'm looking forward to playing him again.
With his father next to him in the car on the way home, Ben Glasson joked: "I've been carrying him (dad) in the pairs and fours so now it's time to beat him in the singles."
Steve Glasson fired back that Friday's quarter-final gave the pair plenty of time for sledging.
"It'll be on for the next two days. I only hope he holds up his end in the pairs," Steve joked.
In 2012 the Glassons became the only father-son combination in more than half a century to win the South Pacific pairs and they face a tough clash tomorrow against their in-form Mt Lewis clubmate Dylan Skinner and his partner Chris Green.
The father-son Glasson match-up is a huge positive for the carnival.
The singles quarter-finals also features four-time champion Shane Garvey against Warilla evergreen Geoff McGillivray, with the winner to meet either Aaron Teys (Warilla) or Dylan Skinner.
The Teys vs Skinner clash should be one of the matches of the carnival with both impressive in their three wins yesterday.
Teys said not returning home to Ballina to defend a title at Christmas had given him extra motivation to chase the South Pacific singles crown.
Teys is in great touch and before beating Matthew Searle 25-17, knocked out Warilla clubmate and World No 2 Jeremy Henry 25-20 in round two.
"I elected to play here rather than defend the Summerland Singles back at home so there's some extra motivation for sure," Teys said.
Teys admitted feeling "pretty nervous" after seeing his 17-8 lead against Henry quickly turn into a 20-19 deficit.
"I was on top and the momentum just changed. I thought, 'I'm playing a world champion here, he's got back the lead and I'm about to blow it'.
"Luckily I played some good bowls and got through."
From 20-19 down Teys won four straight ends with superb draw bowls.
Meanwhile, Garvey and Skinner are the only players still alive in singles, pairs and fours.
Both won three singles matches yesterday with Garvey beating Paul Sweeny 25-21, then Mathew McIntyre 25-17 and Peter Grubb 25-4.
Skinner accounted for Peter Carter 25-14, then Geoff Stuart 25-15 and Jason Cheadle 25-23 in a great contest.
Johanson beat Thirroul youngster James Jones 25-12 and Towradgi's Rod Busst 25-13 to set up a clash with Cabramatta's Jeff Smith.