Bowls: Men look at signing off on winning note

LONDON - The New Zealand men's bowls team clinched the test series against England after winning the sixth test 2-1 in Stoke yesterday.

Entering the test 3-2 up in the seven-match series, New Zealand won the singles and pairs to secure the series.

Manager Peter Kean said that while the side were jubilant, they wanted to finish with a win today and wrap up the series 5-2.

"After a long tour like this we don't want to finish with a loss."

Kean made special mention of singles player Sean Johnson, who was selected for the fifth and sixth tests and came through with two wins from two, winning yesterday's match 21-13.

"Sean didn't even play in the first two tests, but he came in and beat two highly regarded singles players."

Paul Girdler and Russell Meyer also performed well in the pairs, winning 24-15, their fourth victory of the series.

The New Zealand four have only had one win from six tests after going down 14-16.

In the women's series, New Zealand had a 3-0 win, although that cannot affect the outcome of the series, which England won with the last two tests remaining.

Sharon Sims was moved to the singles and won 21-20, and Marlene Castle and Jo Edwards gave the pair their first victory with a 25-17 success.

The four won 20-19 on an extra end.

England now lead the women's series 4-2.

- NZPA