Bowls: Experience trumps youth to make final

Photo / APN

As more emphasis at bowls' elite levels goes on youth and athleticism, an Auckland centre stalwart Neil Fisher gave a reminder yesterday at the New Zealand Open at Henderson that experience still has a place in the game.

Fisher stormed into tomorrow's men's singles final with a comprehensive 21-6 win in yesterday's semifinals over one of Auckland's young up-and-comers, 21-year-old Scott Evans.

In reaching the final four Evans had played some superb bowls, including toppling international Ali Forsyth. But against Fisher he was given little chance, with Fisher adapting much better with his new set of bowls to the difficult, blustery conditions.

Fisher will play in the open's singles final for the second time, having lost to another international, Richard Girvan, in 2009. Formerly of Pakuranga but now with Howick, Fisher, 62, has been playing since 1988-89 and has compiled a formidable record with seven centre titles and a high PBA ranking.

In the final Fisher will meet another immaculate draw specialist, and another of the bright new faces of the game, Monte Kawa from Kaitaia. The 18-year-old added to an already fine tournament by winning his semifinal from national squad member Tony Grantham 21-16.

In yesterday's men's triples semifinals there were mixed fortunes for the national squad line-ups. The combination of Shannon McIlroy, Danny Delany and Chris Le Lievre overcame a slow start to beat the Jamie Hill-skipped composite side comfortably, but Richard Girvan, Forsyth and Grantham were upset by Wellington's Rob Ashton.

Considering Ashton's line-up this was not much of a surprise. Ashton has been a national pairs champion, his two Raika Gregory won the open singles last year and lead Barclay Lee was an Auckland singles champion.

Today's women's triples final will feature a line-up from the national Black Jacks squad, with the experienced Jan Khan skipping Mandy Boyd and Leanne Curry to a 20-12 semifinal win yesterday over Waikato's Doreen Schumacher, Karren Forrest and Bev Corbett.

Khan's opponents in the triples final will be a strong line-up from Whangarei's Kensington club, which contains former national champions Anne Bateman and Ann Muir.