Bowls: Jorgensen defies retirement at nationals

As a reigning world champion and Commonwealth Games fours bronze medallist at Manchester 2002, Patsy Jorgensen's decision to retire from international competition late last year was thought by many to be premature.

She confirmed those beliefs by skipping a composition team to the fours title at the national championships in Tauranga.

Jorgensen teamed with three Dunedin players in the experienced Winnie McLelland, Faye Cosgrove and Daphne Hynes to beat Matamata's Annette Bell 24-17 in Saturday's final after they'd trailed 17-14.

Bell, with June Crow, academy international Doreen Schumacher and Ada Steverson on board, traded shots with Jorgensen throughout.

The scores were level at 6-6, 9-9 and 12-12 before a four on the 17th end saw Matamata nudge ahead.

But Jorgensen notched 10 shots on the final four ends, including five on the penultimate end, to power home.

"I've got all sorts of other medals, but this is the first national one," said Jorgensen, formerly of Napier but now residing in the small Bay of Plenty seaside town of Maketu.

"It's pretty satisfying, especially for the girls, because this is their first one as well."

Earlier, Bell had survived a late onslaught from Corry Middleburg, of Henderson, in an exciting semifinal.

Middleburg came from 15-10 down to lead 17-15 before Bell secured a one and then a two on the final end to claim a spot in the final 18-17.

Jorgensen earned her finals berth with a 20-17 win over Tauranga South clubmates skipped by her former international manager, Adrienne Lambert.

- NZPA