Local duo Paul McKinnel and Averil Fowler won the national mixed pairs bowls championship when they beat Christchurch's Kelvin Scott and Serena Matthews 15-8 in Invercargill today.
McKinnel and Fowler picked up a five in the third end and at one stage won four ends in a row to take control of the match, which was their last together before McKinnel moves to Christchurch.
North Harbour's Colin Rogan and Judith Seager finished second ahead of Hawke's Bay combination John Young and Natarsha Grimshaw and Scott and Matthews.
"I'm really pleased," Fowler said. "I've won 15 centre titles, but this is my first national title."
The national club championships begin tomorrow with two days of singles on the Waverley Bowling Club greens in Invercargill.
