By BRIDGET COOK
NOT too many people can say they have perfected the sport they play.
But Steven Devries, 29, now has that claim to fame after bowling his way into the history books at Bowland Cranbourne when he became the first person to bowl a perfect game at the centre since it opened in 2003.
The Lyndhurst man scored 300, the highest score possible in a game of bowling, after achieving 12 strikes during the Crazy Strikers League tournament at the centre on Thursday 20 March.
“After I had bowled the ninth strike in a row, it was extremely difficult to put the possibility of achieving a perfect game out of my mind, no matter how much I tried,” he said.
“My heart rate went up and I had to walk away and calm myself down before bowling the last frame.”
After smashing over all the pins in his last bowl, Mr Devries said he felt total disbelief.
“I couldn’t believe that I’d actually done it,” he said.
“Having my team members, Rose and Ian, and the entire league there applauding after the last strike made it feel wonderful to be recognised.
“A few people saw me point towards the roof before I bowled the last ball – that was me praying and dedicating it to my deceased grandfather.
“I could sense he was watching over me that night and, as his first born grandson, I wanted to do him proud.
“Just getting my first 300 game was something I didn’t expect to achieve.
“Being the first to do it in a centre that had never seen one bowled until now makes it feel even more special, as it’s part of the centre’s history now.”
Mr Devries said he started bowling as a teenager and later joined a league as it was the only sport that he felt happy and comfortable playing.
He now plays on a weekly basis and practices as much as he can.
Mr Devries said achieving high scores in bowling was all about applying routine, rhythm and focus to the game.
He urged people to get involved in the game and said it caters to everyone.
“The best thing about bowling is that it’s a sport that doesn’t discriminate,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old, male or female, able-bodied or disabled in any way, anyone can give it a go and have a good time.”
