Romford’s Nullmeyers proves a point with emphatic wins in both county singles events

Mark Nullmeyers and Cono Mathers before their two-wood singles semi-final (Image: Archant)

Romford bowler Mark Nullmeyers had triumphed in the semi-finals of both the two-wood and four-wood singles at Westcliff on Saturday, but he still wanted to get something off his chest.

“It was just one of those days,” he said. “I knew I had to prove a point after everything that has gone on, it was something that I needed to.”

Nullmeyers can be something of a firebrand at times and his departure from Wanstead Central to Romford for the new season has left a trail.

So to reach the last four of both singles was a superb effort and he is now in the final of both and heading to Leamington for the nationals.

Mark Nullmeyers of Romford bowls club (Image: Archant)

“I kind of wanted to prove a point and I think I have,” he added. “Going off to Leamington is a huge thing. I’ve reached the quarters at Leamington in two-wood and never been there in the four-wood, so I’m delighted.”

Nullmeyers was first on the green on Saturday morning in the last four of the two-wood singles against Conor Mathers from Brightlingsea.

The Romford man has thrived on good starts this summer and this match was no exeption as he stormed into a 7-1 and then a 9-2 lead over his young rival.

“I just wanted to get off to a good start,” he said.

“I spoke to a couple of people the day before and I told them that is what I needed to do in both games, just build myself up, get clear and play my normal game.

“I wanted to be steady and not do anything silly and to be honest I don’t think I did.”

He certainly didn’t as he eased to a 15-8 victory in the 21-end match, adding: “As soon as I got started and got in front I felt very comfortable. If he had played to his best he could have wiped the floor with us, but I just kept on creeping little bowls in there.”

Nullmeyers will now play Ed Morris of Essex County in the final as he looks to defend his title, after beating Andy Squire in the other semi-final tie.

Later in the day it was the blue riband event – the four-wood singles – and as Squire gained his revenge on Morris to take his place in the final, Nullmeyers was taking on Kevin Fitzgerald from old club Wanstead Central.

And after another whirlwind start it proved a one-sided game.

“I thought it was going to be harder,” he admitted. “He had earlier played on the rink next to ours so he knew the pace.

“He started off on the same hand as me and then he changed and when he did that I picked up a four and when I was 9-2 ahead I thought he would get a bit down.He was very unlucky with a hell of a lot of bowls, I couldn’t believe the bad luck he got.”

The momentum was always with Nullmeyers and he eased to a 21-5 win to book his place in another final.

“I have never played Andy before,” he said.

“We have been in semis before, but one of us has always lost. A lot of people say he is too good for everyone in this county, but I am after him. It’s been a long-waited rivalry, but I am really looking forward to it.”

It will be a tougher assignment in the final at Westcliff on July 28, but the way Nullmeyers is playing at the moment, you wouldn’t bet against him.