KERIKERI'S Chris Watson narrowly missed out on a national indoor bowls title, but finished with a satisfying silver medal at the 2008 National Junior Singles final in Wellington.
Watson, who won the Northland IBC Junior Singles in July for the second year in a row, became the fifth Northlander to reach
the final of the junior event.
He was beaten 12-6 in the final by 16-year-old Kerrin Fremlin from the Waitakere College Indoor Bowls Club.
Watson got off to a dire start in the 12-end final with Fremlin leading 8-0 after four ends.
Watson showed plenty of heart to fight back in the match to trail 6-10 after 10 ends.
On the 11th end, Watson was holding three shots when Fremlin played a superb run shot to get the shot, going into the last end with an unbeatable 11-6 lead.
Fremlin scored one shot on the final end to win the title 12-6.
Fremlin beat North Harbour's Kyle Peters 10-6 in the semifinals, while Watson beat pre-tournament favourite Teri Anderson, from North Wellington, 14-6.
In section play Watson defeated Kenny Tata, Waikato 17-12; Kerry Bartosh, Tauranga 14-13; Brendon Higgins, Nelson 13-5; Danielle Hoult, Otago 15-2.
Thirty districts entered the championships, but only 12 players qualified for post section play.
