Bowls: Club title just a romp for Avondale

By TERRY MADDAFORD

A last-round loss for New Zealand representative Rowan Brassey, who was beaten 17-21 by Hokonui's Andrew McGregor, did not slow Avondale's charge for the men's inter-club bowls title in Palmerston North yesterday.

With their Mike Reid-skipped four stretching their unbeaten run to 14, Avondale, who play in the third division of the Auckland competition, ended up winning the title easily.

In the pairs event, Ross Harsnape and Neville Hill beat Tokoroa's Neville Risbridge and Tony Ivimey 29-12 yesterday morning.

Their victory gave Avondale 20 of a possible 24 points and saw the club take the Lion Foundation title ahead of Belfast and Hokonui.

The women's championship ended with a dramatic winning effort by defending champions Matamata.

Well back in fourth place after the first three rounds, the Waikato champions stormed home, winning six-from-six to beat the early front-runners, United (Nelson) on a points differential.

It was Matamata's fourth win in five years. But for a time yesterday afternoon it looked as if United and Wairere had every chance of taking the title.