Bowls: Grim day, great play

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Former New Zealand representative Wynette McLachlan won the battle of the south to beat Sue Wilson 21-15 in an absorbing women's champion of champions bowls final at Pakuranga yesterday.

The men's final at the Vioxx-sponsored event earned Clive Phillips a first national title when he beat Waikato's Kevin Robinson 21-14.

The finals were played in far from perfect conditions, but still produced some great bowls. The women in particular showed great skill in a fine exhibition of draw bowls with touchers aplenty.

To win the champion of champions title, a bowler must win club and then centre champions title before progressing to the national final.

The women's final rarely had more than a one-shot advantage either way through the first 22 ends as the players raced the encroaching darkness.

At 15-15, both Southland's Wilson and McLachlan, from the neighbouring South Otago centre, who has also played for New Zealand indoors, had a chance.

But a four and then two shots on the 24th end were enough to get McLachlan home.

Wilson had earlier beaten another southerner, Brenda Hope (North Otago), 21-16 in the semifinals. McLachlan had prevailed by the same score over Thames Valley's Mona Davies, who had carried North Island hopes.

Robinson, who won the title four years ago, was always trailing Phillips as they went head to head in squally conditions.

Ahead 12-5 and 17-10, Phillips had to withstand a late charge from the Tokoroa butcher who got to within five shots before Phillips scored the two he needed for his victory.

Phillips had a tough day, beating in-form Wellington representative Rob Ashton 21-16 in the quarter-finals before outlasting Northland's Ian Budd 21-17 in the semifinals.

Robinson had a bye into the semifinals where he beat Shaun Scott (Central Otago) with a better draw game as Scott attempted to blast him off the green.