Bowls: Castle downs Khan in thriller

By TERRY MADDAFORD

World bowls singles champion Marlene Castle and Millie Khan clashed in a gripping final in the 2000 Superbowls at Pukekohe.

Arguably the best women's singles players New Zealand has seen in recent times, the pair went head to head before Castle won 3-7, 7-3, 7-5, 5-7, 7-3.

Both players are assured of a trip to the world indoor championships because Castle will be defending her title.

Like the men's final, which was won in another five-set thriller by Auckland's Kerry Chapman from former Superbowls winner Sid Giddy, the women produced a grand exhibition of draw play.

Khan, who will rekindle her international career when she goes to Britain for the world championships having earlier stepped down from the national side, raced through the first set in just three ends before Castle hit back to win the next two.

Khan won the fourth to set up a fifth-set decider, which Castle took 7-3.

Castle was also taken to five sets in the semifinals by Wanganui's Syria Prescott before winning 7-6 in a tense fifth set after being down two sets to one.

Chapman's won the men's final 7-3, 4-7, 5-7, 7-5, 7-6.

Like Castle, Chapman successfully defended the title he won in Dunedin last year.

He survived a tough, five-set fight in the second round against Phillip Skoglund and a seesaw semifinal over four sets against Paul Manning (Hutt Valley).

New Zealand will have three men at next month's world indoor championships, with Chapman joining Waikato's Steve Posa and Rowan Brassey.