Bowls: Giddy's team on track after starting with two victories

An unbeaten day for Mt Maunganui's Sid Giddy has kept his fours side on track for an unprecedented three back-to-back titles with an unchanged team after the opening day of the national men's championships in Dunedin.

Giddy disposed of Dunedin's Sid Gaudin 30-10 in the morning session, followed by a harder-fought 16-12 win over Leith's Andrew McCallum in the afternoon.

Auckland's Pat Campbell with his Rawhiti club four was ousted after two straight defeats. Also out are previous high finishers John Mears, of Canterbury, and Dave Burgess, of Te Rangi in Invercargill.

Rowan Brassey's Auckland dream team almost came unstuck after losing the opening match to 1989 champion Brian Barker, of Christchurch. Brassey has Ross Haresnape, fellow international Kerry Chapman and young NZ development rep Jamie Hill on board, and they recovered with a 29-11 win in the afternoon to keep their hopes alive.

However, Brassey faces unbeaten Phil Dickison, of Paraparaumu Beach, first up today.

The George boys, Kevin, Ross and Gary, led by 77-year-old father Ralph, are contesting their second championship as a four. They first got together at Hamilton in 1992, and are now back for more.

They won their first game handily enough, but lost their second 13-30.

Ralph, Kevin and Ross live in Hamilton. Gary, the team skip, is based in Dunedin. Together they have more than 100 years of bowls experience.

All sides play two more games today, and those with at least three victories from their four matches go into an open draw for the knockout stage starting on Sunday.

Joining Giddy on two wins are four-times winner Gary Lawson, along with Auckland's Petar Sain, winner in 1999, and Ray Park and Sean Johnson, both of Wanganui.

North Island visitors also unbeaten include Tokoroa's Kevin Robinson, Don Manson, of Milford, and Graham Skellern from Tauranga, while Dunedin hopes Ken Walker and late entry Mike Kernaghan are also two from two.

With Brassey on one win, and needing to take both today's matches, are Dunedin hope Terry Scott, Ken Downer, of Helensville, and Noel Wilson and Merv Gibbons, both of Tauranga.

- NZPA