It was his best performance on the greens since being hospitalised for seizures in 2017.
Haines, and his opponent Geoff Trevorrow, suffered through adverse weather during the finals, with winds reaching an average speed of 70km/h.
Haines managed a stunning 25 shots to his opponent’s 10.
‘‘The winds were very challenging,’’ he said.
‘‘It was hard but you just had to adapt, which I was able to do on the day.’’
It was a moment of triumph for the 33 year-old, who has been working towards a comeback since 2017.
Fresh off an eight-season winning streak in 2017, Haines was placed in an induced coma at the Austin Hospital to treat a bout of seizures.
The seizures were caused by epilepsy, a condition he was diagnosed with seven years ago.
‘‘That was hard to come back from, but I was able to slowly bring myself back and get back into the sport,’’ he said.
‘‘The first day I played after the seizures I only lasted four shots.”
Bowls is often a gruelling game, as challenging for the body as it is for the mind, with each pennant match lasting about four hours.
‘‘It was slow steps from there, playing a little longer each day,’’ Haines said.
‘‘Finally I was able to get there, and in two weeks I was back playing pennant.’’
Though admitting he’s ‘‘not quite there yet’’, the championship win made Haines feel like he’s finally achieved a return to form.
‘‘This year was the first time I felt close to where I was, because of the way I was winning each game,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s been a massive boost to my confidence.’’
Haines has encouraged other young players to sign up to the sport, describing it as an opportunity not just to strategise, but to socialise too.
‘‘It’s no longer an old man’s sport; it is a young man’s sport too,’’ he said.
‘‘You have to be fit to withstand the weather and long days, and it takes a lot of thinking to play.
‘‘You’re exercising your mind and body at the same time when you’re on the field you have to stay focused, and physically play the game for at least four hours.’’
But there’s more to bowls than competition — though there’s plenty to be had.
‘‘You’ve also got social bowls, which is good for those who might not be ready for pennant,’’ said Haines.
‘‘If you want to come down and enjoy a drink or socialise, it’s a great start and a way to get your foot in the door.
‘‘There’s never any real pressure, just everyone taking it easy at the club.’’
To register your interest in social bowls, which is played Sunday mornings from 9.30am, and midweek or weekend pennants bowls — held Friday and Saturday respectively — call the Finley Bowling Club on 5883 1324.
