Lawson leads newcomers

A solid core of 29 men should ensure Wellington has a good representation at the New Zealand bowls championships starting on Auckland’s North Shore tomorrow.

While the immediate attention, inevitably, will fall on the likes of Gary Lawson (Eastbourne), Ben King (Wilton) – those two combine in the pairs and fours – and Blake Signal (Stokes Valley), the capital boasts a number of newer players capable of matching it with the best. Falling into that category is Euan Wong (Stokes Valley), Tim Toomey (Victoria), and last season’s Wellington open pairs winners, Lachlan Gordan (Johnsonville) and Seamus Curtin (Plimmerton).

Victoria’s Lou Newman and Raymond Martin both head sides, while Michael Soloman (Naenae), twice a fours winner, plays in just the singles and pairs. Johnsonville’s Brendan Gibson and Grant Wakefield will not repeat their 2002 pairs triumph this year. They have entered in the fours only, where they are joined by Dan Dickison (Okaihau, Far North) and Adrian Cronin (Johnsonville). Rob Ashton is also in the field, but his club allegiance has switched for this event to the same as his partner Petar Sain – Carlton Cornwall.

Just nine Wellington women are venturing north, including reigning singles champion Helen King (Victoria). She skips Reen Stratford (Birkenhead) in the pairs and is third in Denise Samuel’s fours team.

Leigh Griffin, that consistent performer from Victoria, seeks an elusive Dominion title once more. She skips daughter Kristen Griffin (United) in the pairs and is part of Karen Hema’s four.