Top four ready for major battle

It is down to the business end of the 38th Annual Chartered Clubs New Zealand Fours Bowls Competition with the final at Kamo Bowling Club shaping up to be a thriller.
The tournament, which started on Monday, attracted 168 teams from around the country and throughout the week the teams have been tussling it out at eight various Whangarei bowling clubs.
In the first rounds of post-section play yesterday, 168 teams were reduced to just eight, including those from Onehunga Workingman's Club, Papanui Club, Hamilton Workingman's Club, Petone Club, Tauranga Citizens Club and Club Mount Maunganui and Northland's Maungaturoto Country Club, skipped by C Bennett.
The Bennett-led fours have been strong and consistent performers all week, tournament convenor Allan McNabb said.
"The Northland Club's fours, skipped by Tom Chapman, also had a good week but they went out in the last 16," McNabb said.
Only four teams will start today's major final at host club Kamo, along with four teams who will play off in the consolation final. Meanwhile, non-qualifying teams would tussle over the Kelly Plate.
It was pleasing to hear positive feedback from the 672 bowlers competing in the tournament after all the hard work and months of organising, McNabb said.
The opportunity to host an event like the Chartered Clubs Fours was rare - Whangarei last hosted it in 1999, and in 1989 before that.
Today's finals get underway at Kamo Bowling Club at 8.45am.