Bowls: NZ pair fight back for win

New Zealand international Richard Girvan and partner Aron Sherriff staged a sensational fight back to win the men's pairs crown 13-12 at the $A50,000 ($NZ60,291) Helensvale bowls grand prix in Australia yesterday.

Trailing throughout, qualifiers Girvan and Sherriff waited until the final delivery to defeat Scott Caundle and Australia's Commonwealth Games singles gold medallist Kelvin Kerkow by one shot at Club Helensvale on the Gold Coast.

Caundle and Kerkow, both Australian squad members, were in control early, scoring six consecutive singles before Girvan and Sherriff got on the scoreboard.

With just four ends to play in wet conditions, Caundle and Kerkow held a 12-6 lead and appeared to have the title in their grasp.

Girvan and Sherriff fought back, with two singles and a count of two to trail 12-10 going into the final end.

Sherriff, 20, played a perfectly weighted delivery with his last bowl to removed Kerkow's shot bowl for a count of three and the title.

"Although we looked to be in trouble we were never really out of it," Sherriff said.

" This is the first event we have played together and as a combination we just got better and better.

"To knock off classy opposition such as Scott and Kelvin is a real achievement.'

- NZPA