Bowls: New Zealanders keep up winning streak

New Zealand's winning streak continued at the world bowls championships in Johannesburg yester-day.

Singles exponent Andrew Curtain closed in on a semifinal berth by securing his sixth successive win, while the four notched another two victories to maintain the momentum of their challenge.

Curtain, who has now won six matches from as many outings, yesterday beat Singapore 21-19 and Norfolk Island 21-15 to sit atop section A with five rounds of pool play to go before the semifinalists are confirmed.

New Zealand manager Peter Kean said Curtain showed plenty of steel to prevail in his encounter against Singapore.

He was slow to find his rhythm and quickly found himself trailing 3-14 before he launched a spirited comeback against an opponent who had earlier beaten prominent Welsh player John Price.

"He toughed it out and showed a lot of character," Kean said of Curtain.

Against Barry Wilson, of Norfolk Island, Curtain again found himself under pressure with the scores locked at 15-all before he pulled away to win.

Curtain has only one match today, against Jersey, after which he has a tough programme, with matches scheduled against Australia, Israel and Hong Kong, among others.

Australia and Israel have suffered only one defeat each to date while Hong Kong have lost twice.

The four of Paul Girdler, Russell Meyer, Rowan Brassey and Peter Belliss convincingly beat Zambia 29-13 before surviving a scare from Fiji 22-19.

They were 17-19 behind with three ends to play before drawing level, then going ahead on the penultimate end when they scored two shots.

Skip Belliss drew the shot with the last bowl on the last end to confirm the result.

The tenacity of the Fijians did not surprise Kean.

"They always seem to raise themselves when they play us," he said.

"We didn't play as well as we have been, but it's always a good sign if you are winning when not at your best."

The New Zealand four, who have lost only once, to Scotland, lead section A, followed by Hong Kong and Scotland, who are second equal, and Israel.

- NZPA