Bowls: Golden day for Blackjacks at Six Nations

Mandy Boyd of New Zealand during the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand had a golden Day Five of the Six Nations Bowls event in Christchurch with both Fours teams picking up gold.

The men's team were pitted against the Australian side which they shared top spot in the points table with going into the game. In the qualifying game played on Wednesday New Zealand came out on top but as with all trans-Tasman games nothing is taken for granted.

The final was played in blustery conditions although New Zealand took the lead early on and held on to it throughout the match. There were times when Australia looked threatening but the New Zealand team, skipped by Shannon McIlroy, answered back with a shot that shut the Australians out. All other team members, Mike Nagy, Blake Signal and Paul Girdler, made valuable contributions. The final score was 16-13.

The women were equally dominant; they also took the lead from the first end and kept the Welsh side at bay throughout the game. The team was skipped by Mandy Boyd with her sister Angela leading and Katelyn Inch and Val Smith in second and third positions respectively. The final score of 21-11 was a testament to a total team effort with the girls
supporting each other well.

Coach Dave Edwards said that it was a really pleasing performance from both teams in trying conditions. He went on that say that the women's four put on a very professional display with all team members fulfilling their roles.

"The Men's Four had a solid start and consolidated and when the Australians attempted to come back they didn't panic."

Two silver added to haul of medals that the New Zealand team collected in the second round of finals.

The men's triple of Andrew Kelly, Blake Signal and skip Shannon McIlroy started the game against Australia strongly, leading 10-4 after eight ends. Unfortunately Australia picked up the next six ends including a five on one end to take the lead 18 - 10 after 14ends. New Zealand clawed back the next two ends to bring the score to 18-14, but Australia was not done and claimed the last two ends to take the game 21-14.

The bronze medal play off between Scotland and Malaysia was won by Scotland 20-6

The Women's triples, skipped by Mandy Boyd with Selina Goddard and Kirsten Griffin, also took on Australia and for the first 10 ends they had a mighty battle, at this point the score was 7-5 to Australia. Australia scored four on the next two ends to lead 11-5.
After the 12th end there was only one point scored on each of the ends. The final score was 13-9 in favour of Australia.

Scotland and South Africa took part in the bronze medal play off with Scotland winning 21-14.