Bowls: Bowlers' big lead looking healthy

By GRAHAM SKELLERN

The Auckland and Bay of Plenty men virtually booked a trip to the reinstated national inter-centre final later this season after again having comfortable victories in the third round of the northern regional lawn bowls league yesterday.

Bay of Plenty, which boasts the in-form national fours champions, Sid Giddy, Maurice Hickey, Kevin Maxfield and Lance Tasker, were in devastating form, losing only two of their 16 matches against Waikato and Thames Valley in Whangamata.

At home at Pakuranga, Auckland headed their neighbours Counties Manukau 111/2 matches to 41/2 - though the contest was closer than the scoreline suggested.

Counties singles player Jim Campbell - filling in for Shane McGonagle - produced the day's big upset by beating the national champion Petar Sain 31-28, after collecting a maximum four shots on the last end.

Barring a complete reversal of form in the final round this Sunday, Auckland and Bay of Plenty will easily qualify for the national final.

Bay of Plenty are leading with 631/2 points and Auckland has 571/2. Waikato, who clash with Auckland and North Harbour at Hamilton this weekend, are third with 43 points, ahead of Harbour (401/2), Counties Manukau (341/2), Thames Valley (33), Northland (31) and Far North (30).

Bay of Plenty are at home on Sunday, playing Northland and Counties.

The women's race is more hectic, with four centres still having a chance to make the top two and the national final. A fast-finishing Northland lead with 55 points.

The Northland women collected an important 12 wins on their home green at Moerewa, against North Harbour's 9 and Far North's 3. Auckland were pushed hard by Counties, winning 81/2 to 71/2, and the strong Waikato women finally hit top form, winning 11 matches against a disappointing Bay of Plenty and Thames Valley at Waihi.