TO MILK an old cliché, cream always finds its way to the top.

That was certainly the case at Tweed Heads Bowls Club yesterday, when two of the most highly credentialed bowlers in the country met in the final of the 2011 Tweed Prestige Open Mixed Singles.

In an absorbing contest, local legend Kelvin Kerkow made it a trifecta of wins in the prestigious tournament by beating Wodonga's Ashley Bates 25-18 in front of an appreciate audience, which was treated to a display of bowls of the highest quality.

Kerkow carries more honours and medals than the president of a tin-pot African country but Bates has a record not to be sneezed at either.

He skipped teams to win two Victorian fours titles, has been runner-up in his state triples and singles championships and has represented Victoria in more than 100 interstate games.

Both men were playing their eighth game in three days, so not only was it a battle of skills but it was also the survival of the fittest.

Kerkow and Bates were the last two standing after 256 men and women bowlers started the tournament on Sunday.

Both men deserved their positions in the final after displaying their not only their talent but their fighting qualities throughout the previous seven rounds.

Bates, in particular, deserves a mention in despatches for his gallant victory over the South Australian Beau Schultz in a thrilling semi-final.

The Victorian looked down and out trailing 17-9 at the 17th end and was just about dead and buried when Shultz jumped to a commanding 23-14 lead on the 25th end.

However, eight ends later, Bates had held his opponent to zero and grabbed 12 shots to score an amazing victory.

Despite finishing second, Bates still earns a wildcard entry into next month's rich Golden Nugget, which will also be played at Tweed Heads.

Kerkow is one of 22 invitees to the tournament, while two wildcards were up for grabs in the Prestige, with the leading female bowler earning one, and the leading male, if he wasn't an invitee, receiving the other.

Kerkow was delighted with the win but was a very relieved man at game's end.

“Ash played with terrific touch and he didn't let up at any stage, so I just had to keep my head down and give it my best shot on every end,” he said.

Kerkow trailed 16-13 at one stage but strung together a series of wonderful ends to draw level, jump to 19-16, then 22-16 and 24-16 before Bates pegged back two shots.

However, on the final end Kerkow produced three superb shots, one a toucher and the other pair only centimetres away, to win the match to generous applause, not only from the crowd but his opponent.