First international title for Nathan

Gents World Under 25 Singles Final

Australia – Nathan Black V Malaysia – Muhammad Idham Amin Bin Ramlan

The second singles final of the day at the World Under 25 championships at East Kilbride IBC saw Australia’s Nathan Black taking on Muhammad Idham Amin Bin Ramlan from Malaysia.

The first set saw Nathan from Australia hit the ground running almost from the first bowl, scoring a three on the first end. Over the next few ends, Muhammad was being put under some real pressure from Nathan, with the Malaysia star having to play running bowl after running bowl.

Three singles over the next three end saw Nathan stretch his lead to 6-0 after four ends.

More fireworks from Muhammad on end five saw him miss with his last bow to drop a three and losing the first Set 9-0.

The second set started off the same as the first with Nathan taking a 4-0 lead after two ends.

Muhammad though wasn’t giving up just yet. On end three, he played his best end of the final so far picking up a two score his first shots of the 2023 World Singles Final. Now with tail up the Malaysian again lying two with Nathan maybe feeling the pressure, turned in anther for three. Score, 5-4 Muhammad after four ends.
Nathan looked like he was steadying the ship on end five, holding two shots, but Muhammad with his last bowl played the inch perfect draw, forcing Nathan to run and miss, 6-4.

Muhammad was now putting Nathan under pressure, holding a well worked two, Nathan plays a fantastic reaching draw to trail the jack, Muhammad just slipped past. Nathan though decided not to play his last bowl, taking the single. It did look like there was room to make two, would this be the right decision?

Nathan take the mat up the green and after three bowls each he is holding three and a match lie, his forth bowl slides past but its still wide open for Muhammad, with a all out runner for the jack, it just misses by the smallest of margins to give Australia’s Nathan three and the second set and is now the 2023 Gents World Under 25 Singles Champion.

Words and picture: IIBC

Caption: Nathan with IIBC president Alison Merrien MBE

The International Indoor Bowls Council (IIBC) and World Bowls Under 25 World Championships was staged at East Kilbride IBC, December 4-8.