Bowls: Kiwi turnaround squares the series

LONDON - It's all square in the New Zealand versus England series after a reversal of Wednesday's results in second-test action in York yesterday.

The New Zealand women beat the English 2-1, winning the singles and fours in a turnaround of the 1-2 first test loss.

In the second men's test, the New Zealanders suffered a disappointing 0-3 loss to leave the series at 1-1.

Former world indoor champion Marlene Castle made a great fightback in the singles against Ann Anderson, coming back from 4-11 down to win 21-20.

Nelson's Jo Edwards performed strongly in the pairs, but she and Wendy Jensen lost 14-24. England scored 12 points in three ends to clinch the victory.

In the fours, Counties-Manukau's Anne Lomas was the pick of the Kiwis as they registered a 25-16 win. Jan Khan, Patsy Jorgensen and Sharon Sims made up the quartet.

Manager Ann Muir said strong winds had quickened up play yesterday, but the greens were still "miles away" from the speed of those in New Zealand.

"It's just so easy to fall short here," Muir said. "But we've got to learn to handle them for the Commonwealth Games next year."

In the men's singles, Kerry Chapman could not repeat his first-day efforts, losing 11-21 to Mervyn King.

The pair of Russell Meyer and Paul Girdler lost 13-19 and the four - Andrew Curtain, Philip Skoglund, Rowan Brassey and Peter Belliss - went down 13-23.

The third test is today. England will call on a different squad for next week's four tests in Warwickshire.

- NZPA