Twins Finn and Billy Armstrong, 21, achieve impressive results at Mornington Bowling Club

Call it beginner’s luck or just natural talent, Mt Eliza twins have gone from cricket to lawn bowls with stunning success, with one breaking a 107-year club record.

Finn and Billy Armstrong at Mornington Bowling Club. Picture: Martin Cheeseman

Things tend to happen at a slow pace in the sedate sport of lawn bowls, but the rise of 21-year-old twins Finn and Billy Armstrong at Mornington Bowling Club has been nothing short of meteoric.

The lads started at the club in August and have already won a couple of titles between them.

Finn captured the men’s novice final (beating Billy) in October and last weekend Billy was the toast of the club when he won the final of the men’s singles, becoming the youngest to win the title in the club’s 107-year history.

“They’re moving up so quickly,’’ Mornington Bowling Club club member Gary Edwards said.

“They’re just so good at bowling, and we’re just so happy to have picked them up.

“You don’t see a lot of bowlers in that age group.’’

Finn and Billy Armstrong. Picture: Facebook

Finn and Billy are predominantly cricketers, playing with Mt Eliza in the MPCA on summer Saturdays.

But their natural talent on the greens could see them focus more on bowls.

Billy said he and his brother’s talent for lawn bowls probably stemmed from years ago when they used to accompany their grandfather Martin Cheeseman to the picturesque Mornington club for a Friday afternoon roll.

“I really enjoyed it, just the whole atmosphere,’’ Billy said.

“There was a sausage after every practice…and then just recently my Grandpa encouraged me to come down and give it a try.

“I was looking to explore a new hobby, that’s why I started lawn bowls.’’

The picturesque Mornington Bowling Club on the Esplanade. Picture: Facebook

Billy said he and Finn “picked it up pretty quickly’’ because of the practice they’d done when they were little.

He said the Mornington members were friendly and encouraging.

“They’ve definitely welcomed us into the club,’’ Billy said.

“The older ones have been good mentors for me, just teaching tactics and mindset going into games.’’

As for the future, the Armstrongs are happy to just keep playing and enjoying the sport.

“We just want to go about our business, keep practicing, keep learning,’’ Billy said.

“We don’t have any huge aspirations of playing at the top level...take it day by day at the moment.’’

Billy said there was a strong rivalry between he and Finn on the greens.

“In practice it’s always very, very close,’’ he said.

“But usually I’d say Finn beats me, he’s probably the more polished player.’’

And the key to being a good lawn bowler? “You have to be very consistent and very agile with your thinking as well,’’ Billy said.