Bowls: McLachlan unfazed by quality of opposition in pairs final

Jo Edwards. Photo / Christchurch Star

It seems like a strange attitude to take when faced with two of the world's best bowlers - Jo Edwards (Burnside) and Val Smith (United Nelson) - but Wynette McLachlan (Clinton) and partner Marilyn Patterson (Town & Country) can't wait for today's pairs final at the national championships.

"It's going to be a delight to be playing Jo and Val," says McLachlan with a smile.

"I know Jo and Val well, especially Jo. We're good friends. I've watched and supported her at Commonwealth Games and other events, but never played her at this level."

The men's pairs final will see two fired-up teams. Ali Forsyth and Matthew Gallop (Composite) will take on Canadian-born Ryan Bester and Chris le Lievre (Onehunga) at the Taieri greens in Dunedin.

With just three rounds to play yesterday, Edwards and Smith were in great form. They beat Jan Shirley and Raelene Peters (Canterbury), 18-6, and then had an 18-11 win over Pam Phair and Lois Grey.

Edwards will also appear in the women's singles final following the pairs. She is up against hot-shot Nelson teenager Amy Brenton (Stoke).

The men's singles final promises to be equally exciting. The Black Jacks in the field were dealt to early on, allowing the solidly experienced veterans the space to roll instyle.

In round one, Dan Delany (Onehunga) lost to John Carruthers (Carlton Cornwall) 21-12; Shayne Sincock (Redcliffs) went down to Craig Gush (Northern) 21-13; Matthew Gallop (Cabramatta) fell to Laurie Guy (Victoria) 21-15; and Steve Beel (Mt Maunganui) was defeated by finalist Petar Sain (Carlton Cornwall) 21-18. Sain is a multiple National Open Champs title holder looking for another medal.

From this truncated field emerged two seasoned bowlers. Local bowler Shaun Scott (North East Valley) beat Carruthers 21-19 in an epic semifinal that lasted four hours, and Sain played a close game with past NZ representative Paul Girdler (St Johns Park) to win 21-18 and secure his own place in the finals.