Bowls: Last-chance Lawson rallies to qualify

By BOB PEARCE

Christchurch bowler Gary Lawson, seven times a national champion, has had a low-key presence at this year's championships in Auckland. But yesterday he changed all that with a scintillating display in the fours.

Beaten in the early stages of the singles and pairs, Lawson was looking for a good result to cement his comeback to the big time.



First up yesterday he beat the North East Valley combination from Dunedin, skipped by Mike Kernaghan, 25-12.

Next up was Australian-based Brian Baldwin and his composite four arranged by Bowls New Zealand. Three up after a couple of ends, Lawson suddenly found himself 3-7 down after Baldwin scored a seven on the third end.

Baldwin was still ahead 17-16 on the 15th end when Lawson scored a five and romped away to a 29-18 victory.

Afterwards, Lawson paid tribute to his team-mates, Peter Shaw (Northern), Kelvin Scott (Belfast) and Andrew Curtain (Elmwood).

"The seven was just one of those things, but the boys rallied well with Kelvin Scott, in particular, firing pretty good," he said.

"We've had a tough draw and it can't get much tougher for us. We're a chance now we're in the last 16.

"In the singles and pairs we lost narrowly and I wasn't too disappointed. At the nationals you've got to have a bit of luck."

If Lawson needs a good omen, he could look to his wife, jockey Judy Lawson (formerly Jamieson), who rode two winners on New Year's Day, including Music Man in the Waikouaiti Cup.

Defending fours champion Sid Giddy and his Mt Maunganui team have joined Lawson in the last 16, with wins over Jack Ross (Henderson) and Frank Arnerich (Hillsboro). Arnerich had earlier eliminated 80-year-old Ivan Kostanich (Helensville).

Giddy faces a tough customer in the quarter-finals, Pat Campbell (Rawhiti), who has cruised through his first two rounds of post-section play.

Among the others to reach the last 16 are Philip Skoglund (Northern), David File (Te Karaka) and another Rawhiti bowler, Joe Whitelaw.

Eight fours will play on Friday morning to join the 12 already through to the last 16. Today the pairs will be reduced to four semifinalists. All finals will be played at Onehunga on Monday.