Unique double for Hutt Valley bowler

NICHOLAS BOYACK

Stoked with win: Blake Signal won both the national pairs and fours titles. It is the first time, in living memory, that a local bowler has won two national titles in the same season.

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Blake Signal has had a Christmas to remember.

The Stokes Valley bowler capped off a fine spell of form by being part of the winning four at the national tournament in Auckland.

A week before he teamed up with Canterbury's Alvin Gardner to win the pairs.

The 29-year-old took up bowls at St Patrick's College Silverstream, where he played rugby at a time when the first XV featured Thomas and Scott Waldrom and Tim Fairbrother.

Having played indoor bowls since he was a youngster, it was always Signal's intention to follow his father Brian into lawn bowls.

At 16, he put the rugby boots away and took to the greens. Huge effort and time underpins his winning two national titles, and he says those who say it is a game just for oldies should come and try it.

"A couple of mates get into me about it being an old person's game . . . At the end of the day, it is one of the most competitive games you can play. If you are a competitive person, it is a great game."

To prepare for the nationals he played in a tournament in Malaysia and living next to the Stokes Valley Bowling Club, he put in a lot of time practising.

In 2010, he won the national fours title in a team which included his best mate and fellow Stokes Valley bowler Clint Carroll.

Adding two more national titles means he is now only two wins away from a coveted gold star.

It was the pairs win that gave him the most pleasure.

Signal exchanged many emails with Gardener to plan tactics and he says they played strongly.

The victories have boosted Signal's confidence and he is hoping to win selection in the Black Jacks and ultimately represent New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games.

"That would be fantastic, to get there."

Although his house looks out on the bowling club, he has played for Eastbourne during a period when the club featured Gary Lawson and Andrew Kirton.

That came from an approach from Eastbourne stalwart Mike Carroll and he says he learned a lot from playing with the well- known pair. It was another well- known bowler, Eddie Irvine, who got him started when he joined Stokes Valley as a schoolboy.

"He was a big influence on my early bowls."

Signal works as a groundsman for Wellington City Council.

- Hutt News

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