Race for national honours wide open

EXPECT a host of new champions to be crowned when the New Zealand bowls championships commence on the North Shore and surrounding areas tomorrow.

A number of leading players, including a chunk of last season’s winners, are missing from the event this year, after they had turned up in their droves 12 months ago in Dunedin, many with an eye on the Commonwealth Games side.

Of the 10 able-bodied bowlers who ultimately made the cut for Glasgow, only five of them will make an appearance over the next fortnight. Ali Forsyth, who won the men’s singles in such dramatic manner last time, and Tony Grantham, who shared in the men’s pairs and fours titles, are both non-starters this time.

The heavy international schedule is also behind the absence of Shannon McIlroy, Jo Edwards and Val Smith. Amy McIlroy will only take part in the fours – she played third for Mandy Boyd in the winning side in Dunedin – and Blake Signal, who has had such a superb run in the championships in recent years, competes in the singles and pairs, but not the blue riband event.

Squads of up to 10 men and 10 women will be announced soon after the nationals, meaning a range of new players will be eyeing up opportunities to break through into the top echelon. With the field more depleted this time, they will not get a better chance.

The women start with singles tomorrow. Helen King (Victoria) swept all before her last time and she will rate a chance again. However, she will need to withstand an early test, facing Sandra Keith (Dunsandel), the 2012 winner, in the third game.

The men start competition with pairs tomorrow.