Long regarded as one of Illawarra Zone 16s best lower grade bowlers Nabbe beat Currarong’s David Badger in a thrilling final 31-30.

 The decider on Thursday night  was one of the matches of the tournament, with Nabbe fighting back from 15-10 down after the Zone 7 bowler won three straight ends.

Badger continued to hold a small advantage and was within two shots of the title, leading 29-26 before Nabbe launched one last rally.

  Nabbe picked up a single, then a three to lead 30-29 and had one hand on the trophy when holding two shots on the next end.

  Badger made a great bowl to drive the jack into the ditch and pick up a shot to tie the match 30-30.

  Nabbe held his nerve and played some superb draw shots just short of and past the jack to clinch the title and the biggest win of his career.

 Nabbe beat Portland’s Robert Luland 31-25 in the semi-finals after a 31-14 win over Taren Point’s Shane Allard in the quarter-finals and 31-23 victory over Canterbury’s Jason Courtin in round one.

 The NSW President’s Reserve Singles was open to pennant bowlers in grades five  to seven and featured the champions from the 16 zones in NSW.

  Last Tuesday  Nabbe’s Warilla clubmate Geoff McGillivray won his second state title after claiming the over 60s Senior Singles.

 Geoff McGillivray, who was part of Warilla’s state championship winning triples team in 2009  outlasted Beresfield’s Michael Beesley 31-28 in a tight final.

The eight-day State Championships Finals finish on Saturday.