Daniel Baker wins Darwin Bowls Carnival in all Territory grand final
A Territorian champion has pulled through to win the Darwin Bowls Carnival despite facing an Australian Jackaroo on the way and an long-time rival in a thrilling all Territory grand final.
The Territory’s top two bowlers faced off in a thrilling grand final to close out the Darwin Bowls Club Carnival, an event that attracted plenty of interstate interest including a current Jackaroo.
Northern Territory Champion of Champions winner Daniel Baker was made to work for every inch when he took on NT Singles Champion Trystan Smallacombe in the final.
It was a match of many twists with Smallacombe taking a lead through the middle until Baker hit back late to take the final win 21-18.
Baker had already seen off tough opposition in the semi-final with Jackaroo squad member Nathan Black the man he had to get by to set up the all Territorian final.
He has also beaten Victorian state player Nathan Murray, Townsville talent Ben Cribben and Mark Russell from the Flemington-Kensington Club
Meanwhile, Smallacombe found himself against another tough Territorian in his semi-final in Ian Smith.
“It’s good to get another one against him, it’s always good to play him, we’ve played each other many times and it’s always a tough match against a class opponent,” Baker said.
“It’s good to have someone like Nathan Black come up and play against us, we don’t get to play against that calibre of bowler very often,” Baker said.
“It was great for him to come up and give it a crack, though home ground advantage probably helped me out a little bit.
“But it’s also about trying to keep your composure, don’t get lost in the moment and stay consistent not letting them pick up too many numbers.”
Baker has been playing bowls for just under 20 years picking up the sport when he was a teenager and falling in love with it and the community feel.
“The whole carnival has been awesome, it’s great to have so many people from across Australia get around our little bowls community,” Baker said.
“I’ve been playing since I was 14 or 15, and I’ll never give it up now, footy is over with injuries and whatever else but bowls if for me.
“It’s a sport everyone can play, you don’t have to worry about injuries and all abilities can play it, and then when it’s finished it’s a great community and we can all enjoy a beer.”
Bowls NT executive officer Barry Beaumont said the week had been a fantastic showcase of bowls in the Territory.
“The talent that’s come from interstate has been exceptional, we had about 10 high level bowlers so anyone who won their way through really deserved it,” he said.
“It’s great to see the two best bowlers in the Territory go head to head in the final, they each hold one of our highest honours and it’s always great bowls between them.”
NT’s best get the chance to take on Australian rising star
Darwinites will get to test their abilities against one of the best in the country with an Australian Jackaroo set to take on the Darwin Bowls Club Carnival.
Jackaroo squad member Nathan Black will travel to Darwin for the first time as a competitor to battle it out against the heavyweights of the Territory.
Black is one of the big names in the sport nationally now and was recently selected to travel to Scotland in preparation for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
His national achievements include the 2020 BPL Cup Champion and then in 2024 he was named the BPL20 MVP and a BPL20 All Star team member.
He also won the 2023 IIBC World Under 25 Indoor Championships singles gold and was the overall development men’s champion in the 2024 and 2025 Trans Transman comp.
Black’s extremely impressive resume has the Darwin Bowls Community excited to host him and take him on.
He will compete against a host of local talent including current Champion of Champions winner Daniel Baker and current State Singles Champion Trystan Smallacombe.
Bowls NT executive officer Barry Beaumont said his arrival marked a hugely exciting time for the sport in the NT.
“The bowls carnival season is now in full swing with large numbers of travellers arriving from the southern states to compete,” he said. “This is an exciting time for bowls in the NT and it showcases our magnificent playing conditions”
Tournaments are taking place in both Nightcliff and Darwin over the next two weeks with a combined prize pool of over $50,000.
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