Ali’s army conquers allcomers at champs

Ali Forsyth’s four completed a clean sweep of bowls titles at the national championships in Dunedin yesterday.

Forsyth's quartet, which included Justin Goodwin, Shannon McIlroy and Gary Lawson, overturned an early deficit to defeat Sheldon BagrieHowley's four 21-13.

Forsyth and Lawson won the pairs on Sunday, with McIlroy taking out the singles title.

Forsyth now has nine national titles, Lawson 13, McIlroy four and Goodwin three.

“It's a privilege to win it,” Forsyth said.

“The young guys [Bagrie-Howley's team] should be proud of themselves.”

Mandy Boyd and sister Angela, Sheryl McLean and Leigh Griffin edged Sandra Keith's team 16-15 on an extra end in the women's fours final yesterday.

Keith's side of Selina Goddard, Amy McIlroy and Serena Matthews did the best at the start, with Goddard leading well to open up a 7-1 lead.

But Mandy Boyd came back to hold just a one-point lead on the last end.

Keith got the shot to force the game into overtime.

With her second delivery, Goddard hit in Angela Boyd's bowl for shot. On the push, Matthews dislodged the jack, but it went back to McLean's bowl. Keith, running twice, missed narrowly to leave the title with Boyd's team.

“These are the games you come to the nationals for,” Mandy Boyd said.

With the win, Angela Boyd won her gold star for five national titles, while it was McLean's first, Griffin's third and Mandy Boyd's sixth.

Blackjacks stars Shannon McIlroy and Jo Edwards were named the most consistent players of the tournament.