KEY POINTS:
Rod Dorgan described victory in the men's fours final at the national championships in Dunedin yesterday as a greater thrill than winning rugby's Ranfurly Shield.
Dorgan, who played outstanding bowls at No 2 as Sean O'Neill's team crushed titleholder Dwayne Cameron's team 19-10, was at first five-eighths when South Canterbury won the Ranfurly Shield off Marlborough in 1974.
"That was certainly the highlight of my career before today," said Dorgan, "but this has topped it off. I'm speaking as a 60-year-old now, of course, but this is massive - I can't tell you how chuffed I am."
Dorgan said the Timaru four had kept improving throughout the competition, after dropping an early qualifying game, and had peaked at the right time.
They eliminated title favourite Gary Lawson on Monday and pressured Cameron's team mercilessly yesterday, forcing the defending champions into 28 drives.
Dorgan, lead Barrie Andrews and David Hanson gave O'Neill a charmed run. He had to drive only twice in the match because he was invariably holding shots when he went to the mat.
O'Neill's team picked up an early four when a Cameron drive came unstuck, establishing a lead they never looked like relinquishing.
A solitary glimmer of hope came Cameron's way on the 11th end, when O'Neill surprisingly drove when one shot down and gave away a three.
"I was really angry with myself over that," said O'Neill. "I could have given away a six."
But the four from Timaru retrieved the situation immediately, reclaiming the three on the next end, when Cameron was guilty of two poor-quality draw shots.
When Hanson dragged the kitty back to secure another three on the next end, pushing the score out to 15-6, the game was effectively in the bag.
The victory was a huge thrill for Hanson, 41, who lost the pairs final with Andrews in Christchurch three years ago, going down by two points.
"We know what it's like to lose," he said, "and we were determined to come out on top this time."
O'Neill, Hanson and Andrews all work as AMP advisers while Dorgan works at the Pareora meat works.
Not only did O'Neill pocket $800 for winning the fours but he claimed a further $300 as the tournament's most consistent men's bowler, having also reached the final of the pairs.
The women's consistency award went to Taupo's Mary Campbell.
The only South Canterbury player to win a national title before yesterday was Robin Milne from Geraldine, who won the singles a quarter of a century ago.
Cameron was disappointed with his team's showing.
"We were always on the back foot," he said. "They peppered the head and we always seemed to be driving to try and retrieve."
Cameron and McIlroy now head to Christchurch to represent New Zealand in the Asia Pacific championships, which start on Friday.
- NZPA
