Mills bowls perfectly

Geoff Pinn and Dayvinia Mills won the centre 2-4-2 mixed pairs, and will represent the Gisborne-East Coast centre in the national champion of champions mixed pairs in August next year. Picture supplied

Impressive draw bowls by Dayvinia Mills proved decisive in the final of the centre 2-4-2 mixed pairs completed at Gisborne Bowling Club on Sunday.

Mills combined with Geoff Pinn to defeat Marcus and Jasmine Merrick 15-8 in the decider.

The competition started on Saturday, October 7, with a field of 22 teams. Sixteen teams qualified for post-section play scheduled for the following day, but rain caused a postponement until last Sunday.

The draw bowls of Mills were showcased to best effect on the 12th end of the final. She and Pinn were four shots down, with the jack surrounded by opposition bowls.

Mills played her last bowl perfectly to spring the jack and get second shot with her bowl . . . it took the game away from the Merricks.

Mills and Pinn had a close battle in their semifinal, against Jessie Davis-Law and George Vaotuua. The score was 7-7 at the start of the last end, and the game was in the balance until the last bowl. Mills and Pinn won 8-7.

The other losing semifinalists were Steve and Kay Goldsbury. The Merricks played outstanding draw bowls in this game to achieve a comfortable win.

Mills and Pinn will represent the Gisborne-East Coast centre in the national champion of champions mixed pairs in August next year.

A plate competition was held for teams who lost in the first round of post-section play. This was won by Les Whittington and Anita Vaotuua, who defeated Jeff Davis and Janice Allan 17-9 in the final.