Bowls: Bowlers start strongly in Scotland

New Zealand made a strong start to the championship round at the men's world bowls championships in Scotland yesterday, winning their opening singles and fours matches.

Russell Meyer beat England's Steven Farish 21-16 and the four fought back from an early seven-shot deficit to down Brazil 15-13.

Both teams reached the championship rounds despite losses to Australia in final qualifying.

Meyer's qualifying loss saw him assigned a tough second-round championship match.

The four under Gary Lawson lost their final qualifying game 15-11, but went through to the championship rounds thanks to Canada's win over Jersey and a huge shots differential.

But their third place in qualifying pool has also given them a harder task in the second stage.

Overnight, Meyer was to play singles favourite Alex Marshall, of Scotland, followed by South Africa's Donny Piketh in the second session.

In qualifying, Meyer lost 21-3 to Marshall in just 45 minutes.

For Gary Lawson and the four the session offers prospects for double revenge. In the first game they were to face Canada, who beat them on the last end in qualifying pool play.

In the second, they were due to play Scotland's David Peacock, who snatched gold from the New Zealanders in the triples final.

- NZPA