Future is Bright(on) for Echuca junior lawn bowler

By Meg Saultry

Apr 28, 2021

Jacob the giant killer stalks the greens of bowling clubs.

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And people who don’t fear the 11-year-old when he comes bounding into the clubhouse are soon left lamenting their dismissal of a rising superstar.

On Tuesday, April 13, Echuca's Jacob Brighton stunned the bowling community by sealing a grand final berth in the under-18 Victorian state final titles.

Brighton, playing opponents well above his years, finished runner-up to red-hot favourite Liam Turner in the final, succumbing to an 11-25 defeat.

But in doing so, the young gun — who played pennant at East Shepparton in the Goulburn Valley Bowls Division this summer — impressed many with his composure throughout the tournament.

Jacob’s mother Sarah Brighton said she couldn’t be prouder of her son’s efforts.

“As a family, we’re so proud of Jacob. He did amazingly well,” Sarah said.

“I was just happy he won his first round and then when he kept going, it was incredible.

“And the amount of comments from the crowd, people were just amazed at his composure and concentration.

“One guy said he (Jacob) had a lot of the older kids worried for future tournaments.

“He’ll be one to certainly watch coming up the ranks.”

Coached by his grandfather Geoff Beattie, Brighton glided through the top 16, eight and four rounds with consecutive 21-15, 21-9 and 21-10 wins.

“He worked his way into it,” Beattie said.

“His first game, and I expected him to win, that other kid played all right, but Jacob got through it. He had a bit of a struggle.

“The next game he got better.

“And then his third game in the semi-final, his opponent started pretty good.

“We thought it might be a bit tough, but Jacob beat him 21-10. He just got better and better.

“He took on the red-hot favourite in the final and led him for a fair while and then just ran out of petrol.

“I think he was mentally stuffed — but he kept trying.”

Beattie said the sky was the limit for Brighton, who has only been playing competitive lawn bowls for three years.

“He’s open-ended. He will go as far as he wants to go,” Beattie said.

“He’s got the right attitude. He’s come along in leaps and bound.

“Names don’t faze him. He doesn’t understand this guy (his opponent) is a good bowler, he just goes out and does what he needs to do with his bowling.

“His temperament is unbelievable and his demeanour on the green is first-class.”

Returning to play off for the State Pairs title later in the week, Brighton reached the final eight with partner Liam McInnes before being beaten by eventual champions Ben Fletcher and Connor Fry.