Ashman, who will celebrate his 17th birthday on Christmas Day, defeated a field of 11, at the under-18 event held at Strathfieldsaye Bowling Club.

A pennant bowler with Bendigo Golf, Ashman registered high scores in the first round of the tournament, defeating Nicholas Oliver 21-3.

He was just as convincing in the quarter-final defeating Courtney Walkington 21-2, before winning his semi-final match against Jake Higgins 21-6.

Ashman faced his toughest challenge in the final against Stephanie Priest, with scores being locked at 13-all. But Ashman managed to get the break, scoring eight shots to one to win the singles championship 21-14.

Ashman is hoping his good form will translate into the 2010 season, where he’s keen to perform well in the Bendigo District Bowling Association singles championships.

“I’m going to play in the Association singles this year, which is basically everyone in the Bendigo district,” he said.

“The winner of that will go into the next district.”

But his lawn bowls aspirations don’t stop there, with the young bowler hoping to progress to the state singles level.

“I’ve competed in state triples before and have gone pretty far in that.

“Hopefully I’ll get into some state events when I get older.

“I’ve had help from my coach, Max Watts, who plays in the 60-and-over state side and he’s a very good bowler.”