KEY POINTS:
The first game defeat of reigning champion and double world title holder Gary Lawson by Nelsonians Gary Watson and his lead James Pugh was the sensation of the fourth day's play at the National Open Bowls Championships in Auckland yesterday.
It wasn't only the result which shocked everyone at the Pakuranga greens - it was the 22-7 margin before Lawson and his partner, Justin Goodwin, tossed in the towel after only 15 of the scheduled 18 ends.
Lawson and Watson have been playing each other since they were kids in Christchurch, both sons of famous bowling parents - national champions Ken and Marie Watson, and Stan Lawson.
"I've played against Gary since we were kids on the back green at Linwood after Sunday triples," said a delighted Watson.
Watson praised the play of his lead, Pugh, who peppered the jack throughout the match with accurate drawing.
Lawson, who won the title with Andrew Curtain last year, led 5-4 after five ends but Watson and Pugh reeled off 17 unanswered shots and really cranked up the ante when they recorded 10 in three consecutive ends to put the match beyond reach.
Watson and Pugh remained in contention at the end of the day, with two further impressive wins.
Another of the favoured combinations, former world champion Rowan Brassey with his Canadian Cabramatta clubmate, Ryan Bester, are also out of contention after losing to Henderson's Steve Cox by a solitary shot. Cox and Tony Garelja relentlessly drew shots to progress to tomorrow's action with a tense 15-14 margin.
There was no situation more tense, however, than in the finish of the women's singles match between former international Marina Khan and Keren Guy of Silverdale. They had to wait 10 minutes before the umpire decided Khan's shot bowl was a millimetre closer than Guy's. That gave Khan, who'd been down 18-20, a 21-20 win.
One young player who is showing selectors she wants a place in a national squad - in her case, the transtasman age section - is 17-year-old Amy Brenton of Nelson. She toppled Waikato player, Rita Berridge, 21-11, to make the quarter-finals tomorrow. Former triple world champion Sharon Sims and her pairs partner Mary Campbell were hustled out in the first round. World Bowls Black Jack, Jan Khan bowed out in a thriller to Jo Babich.
