KEY POINTS:
Gary Lawson edged closer to Nick Unkovich's record of 10 national bowls titles when he won the pairs with Andrew Curtain in Christchurch.
They beat Kevin Robinson, of Putaruru, and Belfast's Steve Posa 21-10 in the final yesterday.
Lawson joined Danny O'Connor with nine national titles, but he has a good chance of equalling the late Unkovich's record with the strong combination he has gathered for next week's fours.
His team of Curtain, Russell Meyer and Richard Girvan, who form the New Zealand four at this month's world bowls championships in Christchurch, are favourites for the national fours.
Heading into the nationals, Lawson, playing out of the Eastbourne club in Wellington, decided to renege on a pledge not to play with Curtain again - made after they had been beaten in the 2003 final - and yesterday he was more than happy with that decision, with Curtain leading strongly.
"We lost to Peter Sain and Wally Marsic and we got belted that year," Lawson said.
"But we're too good a mates to get growly with each other and we thought we'd have another go this year. It's worked out really well."
Getting great support from Curtain, Lawson opened their account by scoring two threes on the first two ends and never looked back against Posa and Robinson, the 2006 pairs champions.
"Those guys [Robinson and Posa] were always going to be difficult to beat - they are a really good side. I thought Andy had one of his better games. He hung in well today and I felt like I was on top of my game," Lawson said.
Robinson and Posa reluctantly had to agree and conceded after 16 of the 18 scheduled ends.
Lawson said the prospect of equalling Unkovich's record was not foremost in his thinking.
"To me, it's about getting the spirit in the boys going again, knitting together and playing well.
"If we win, it's a huge bonus but, if we prepare well and play well, it'll continue the movement towards next Saturday [the start of the world championships]. My whole focus is on the world championships."
- NZPA
