Bowls: NZer Jamie Hill leaps 42 places

Fresh from helping his country add the Tri Nations Cup to the Trans-Tasman Trophy yesterday, New Zealand bowler Jamie Hill has vaulted 42 places up the world bowling rankings to 21st.

Hill, 24, made his move up the World Bowls Tour rankings on the back of his semifinal appearance at the World Indoor Singles Championship in England last week - an event where not only was he the youngest player but he had had to pre-qualify.

At 21st in the rankings on 51 points, Hill trails leader Greg Harlow of England on 150 points, who was runner-up in the same tournament after beating Hill in the semifinals.

The tournament winner, Mervyn King of England, is now ranked 14th.

Yesterday in Melbourne, playing in the pairs with Avondale clubmate Rowan Brassey, Hill's play helped New Zealand lift the Tri Nations Cup over Australia and Malaysia.

They had already clinched the Trans-Tasman Trophy.

- NZPA