Bowls: Defending champion concedes national crown

Defending women's singles champion Sue Wightman's title defence is over at the national bowls championships after she lost a tight quarterfinal to Jan Shirley in Wellington today.

Shirley edged to a 21-19 victory after she turned a one shot deficit into a two shot advantage with her last bowl before watching Wightman's last delivery of the game fail to kill the end.

Shirley was to play Lui Hare in one semifinal while title favourite Jan Khan drew Leanne Chinery after ending Bev Morel's giant-killing run with a comfortable 21-9 triumph.

Hare defeated Gale fache 21-8 in another one-sided quarterfinal while Chinery was made to work hard before overcoming Cathy Andrews 21-16.


- NZPA