Belfast bowler Rohan Ware rounded out the family collection when he claimed the singles honours at the Summerset National Bowls Championship in Christchurch today.

Ware claimed his first national bowls title when he proved too strong for impressive Australian Nathan Black 20-11 at the Burnside Bowling Club.

Both his late mother and his father have national titles to their credit, and Ware was thrilled to add to the family haul.

“I haven’t got any words. It’s a bit surreal and I am glad to get it over the line and get a gold medal,” Ware said. “I’ve got a silver and a bronze so I can now add this to the collection.”

While it was expected to be a close-fought affair against the impressive Australian visitor, Ware proved in command.

Black scored two on the opening end but was then held scoreless for the next 11 ends as Ware pushed to a 12-2 lead. The Australian edged his way back into the contest to trail 14-7 until the Belfast bowler bagged six over the remaining six ends to claim the title 20-11.

While the final scoreline was decisive, Ware said he was anything but confident.

“To be fair I might not show it now but I was nervous especially when I got to around the 15-17 end mark. I knew I could go out on 17, but I was very nervous.”

Ware was edged out in the final of the fours last year and while he was thrilled to earn the victory, he said it won’t change his approach to the game.

“I always love playing in the Nationals. You always meet some nice people and become good friends with them. It is always good to meet new people. And I will just keen playing and enjoying my bowls.”

Earlier he accounted for Adam Blucher (Te Atatu Peninsula) 21-13 in his semifinal, with Black, thoroughly impressive this week, beating Mount Maunganui’s Nathan Arlidge 21-9 in the other semifinal.

The local Burnside team of Mandy Boyd and Kirsten Edwards prevailed over Sandra Keith (Dunsandel) and Tania Woodham (Burnside) in a tight battle to win the women’s pairs honours 18-13.

The combatants were locked 5-5 after seven ends, 9-9 after 12 ends and 12-12 after 14 ends. With four ends to play, Boyd and Edwards stepped up, scoring a three, a single and two on consecutive ends and give up just a single on the final end to claim the honours 18-13.

Earlier Reilly Paterson and Adrian Browne took out the Disability Pairs honours 21-12 over Callum Cargo and John Lavell.