Canterbury claim national title

Canterbury won the New Zealand men’s inter-centre bowls title for a 12th time in a fascinating finale in Auckland yesterday.

In the final, Canterbury beat Nelson 2-1, with the fixture decided in a titanic singles clash which went the way of Canterbury’s Blackjacks international Andrew Kelly 25-24 over current world singles titleholder, Shannon McIlroy.

With the final locked at one match apiece, it all came down to the singles game. McIlroy led the singles 13-9 before Kelly turned the screws, drawing better and taking the advantage 22-14.

But McIlroy showed his steel, reversing the trend and swamping Kelly. He took the lead 24-23 and then drew three shots before Kelly, with his third bowl, ran the jack into the ditch and sat on top of it. McIlroy, drawing, went into the ditch and Kelly with his last bowl got enough movement out of another of his bowls to claim the second shot and the encounter after an umpire’s measure.

Nelson had grabbed the early initiative in the final when pair Peter Hodson and Richard Collett walked away from Canterbury’s Nathan Glasson and Gary Lawson 23-7, after opening up an 11-0 lead.

The fours match was the next to conclude, with Lance Pascoe (Canterbury) drawing second shot on the last end to enable his side to hold off Robbie Reed (Nelson) 20-19.

Inspired by an unbeaten run in the fours, Auckland claimed the women’s title, beating Nelson 2-0 in the final. The singles game was called off at 22-22 after Auckland had already won the other two disciplines.

The Auckland four of Linda Ralph, Lisa Prideaux, Estelle Hickey and Jill Fraser won all eight games they played during the tournament.

Auckland’s pair Ling Qu and Catherine Bein also enjoyed a productive event, winning seven games. In the final, Qu and Bein defeated Katie Scott and Colleen Earl 18-10.