Bowls: New Zealand eyeing 8-medal swag at Asia-Pacific champs

SYDNEY - New Zealand are on course to match their medal haul at the 2001 Asia Pacific bowls championship after both pairs and triples made their quarter-finals at this year's tournament in Brisbane.

The men's and women's triples completed section play unbeaten with comfortable victories over Korea and Singapore respectively in unusually calm conditions at the Pine Rivers Memorial Bowling Club.

Defending pairs champions Russell Meyer and Paul Girdler fought back from an opening 22-17 loss to Australia on Saturday to qualify second in their section to the hosts.

After their initial setback, Meyer and Girdler beat the Cook Islands 35-5 that night.

Their first match yesterday against Brunei was won by forfeit and they were too strong for the Japanese combination, barely raising a sweat in triumphing 32-8.

They have a bye today before their quarter-final against an opponent yet to be determined.

Jo Edwards and Sharon Sims also have a chance to defend their crown with three straight victories following a narrow 18-17 loss to Australia on Saturday.

The New Zealanders responded by squeezing past Canada 16-13 on Saturday night before their progression was confirmed yesterday by Brunei's no show and an emphatic 37-4 drubbing of Japan.

They have a bye today before learning who their quarter-final opponent will be later in the day.

The men's triple of Jamie Hill, Sean Johnson and skip Gary Lawson breezed into post-section play with a perfect three-from-three record, completing their preliminaries with an effortless 38-4 victory over Korea.

Single's runner-up Marlene Castle and team-mates Wendy Jensen and Val Smith were just as impressive, tuning up for the quarters by demolishing Singapore 40-3.

The triples' opponents will also be finalised today.

New Zealand won eight medals in Moama, New South Wales, two years ago and Bowls New Zealand national coach Stewart Buttar believed the current squad were on course to match that effort.

They have already won two golds, Meyer in the men's singles and the women's four, and a pair of silvers, Castle and the men's four.

"If we get through the quarter-finals we're on track," he said.

New Zealand are also leading the women's team competition by seven points and the men's by five.

- NZPA