Noel Kennedy turned back the clock yesterday as he partnered youngster Ken Chan Ken-che to glory in the pairs competition at the Hong Kong International Bowls Classic - 19 years after first winning the competition.
The SAR duo defeated Welsh pair Mark Harding and Stephen Harris 15-13 in a nail-biting final at Kowloon Bowling Green Club.
It was Hong Kong's first success in the event since David Tso and George Souza Jnr swept to victory in 1994.
It was also 42-year-old Kennedy's first pairs triumph since 1988 when he teamed up with Mark McMahon.
The 22-year-old Chan, playing in his second pairs final in three years, saluted Kennedy. 'Noel is such a fantastic player. We wouldn't have done it without him,' said Chan.
Kennedy said: 'Winning this was similar to Hong Kong's win in 1988 when we played England in the final because that went to an extra end. Was it sweeter? That's hard to say. The first win is always nice but it has been a long time.
