Jesse Noronha ticked off one of his bucket list goals and delivered the perfect farewell to his playing days at Warilla with a stirring comeback victory in the South Pacific Singles final at Kiama BC.
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The Jackaroos star has agreed to join Wiseman Park for the upcoming 2020 pennants season and could not script a better finale in Warilla colours than a 31-27 victory over 2018 Singles champion Dylan Skinner.
A former South Pacific Singles finalist and contender on numerous occasions, Noronha produced an absolute bomb at 27-27 - with Skinner holding two shots - to pick up a four and win the title.
Noronha grew up playing in the South Pacific from age 15 and now the 28-year-old saved his greatest Carnival moment for his final day as a Warilla bowler.
''The South Pacific is something I have always hoped to win,'' said Noronha who won the Fours in 2015.
''You grow up watching this event, seeing the top players compete in it and for a local it's a very prestigious title and something that means a lot to me.''
With a baby on the way in April and an offer of improved work opportunities with a move to Wiseman Park, Noronha elected to switch clubs.
''It's a life decision. I've been at Warilla for 12 years and loved it but I have to look after my family and this opportunity has come up and it will give my family more security.''
Noronha says Warilla's Grade 1 State pennant triumph in 2016 is still his fondest moment in bowls, while he is proud to have made his Australian debut in Hong Kong in 2018 before a few months later earning his capped Jackaroo No 146 debut while touring the United Kingdom in the Welsh 10 Nations Series.
Meanwhile, Dylan Skinner has begun the new year with a different bowls uniform having just joined Cabramatta from Dapto Citizens.
The 21-year-old has had a difficult 12 months but says he is more mature and ready to focus on bowls.
''I haven't played for 10 months coming into this event and I've had to learn a lot of life lessons along the way,'' Skinner said.
''I've let people down but now I'm officially a Cabra player I'm totally devoted to my game. I want to say how thankful I am to Dapto Citizens for all they have done for me over the past couple of years.
''Cabramatta have so many top bowlers I can't wait to get around them and start learning from them.''
Skinner plans to live in Huskisson and travel to Cabramatta for bowls. He is looking forward to the new pennants season and playing third in a rink skipped by Australian squad member Ray Pearse.
Meanwhile, Shane Garvey again showed he is without peer at the South Pacific after winning his sixth Player of the Carnival award following the closest of countbacks with clubmate Mick Thorne.
Garvey and Thorne won the Pairs and Fours double together and Thorne went one step further in Singles having won his section.
But both players finished on two singles wins and Garvey had the better margin overall; giving him the top carnival honour by the tightest of margins.
Garvey also won Player of the Carnival in 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2013 with the top individual award introduced in 1986.
Finally, Kiama BC deserve special credit for hosting an excellent Carnival, while South Pacific officials and volunteers did a great job over the nine days which featured 800-plus bowlers.
