Bowls: Pair have historic win in Hong Kong Classic

Russell Meyer and Paul Girdler became the first New Zealanders to win the Hong Kong Classic pairs tournament after beating Australia 33-13 in the final yesterday.

The New Zealand international pair were unbeaten in 14 matches to take the title, winning 10 and drawing one of their 11 pool matches.

They beat local side Craigengower Cricket Club in the quarter-finals, South Africa's Clinton Roets and Eric Johannes 23-16 in the semifinal and demolished Kelvin Kerkow and Tom Ellem in the final.

Australia had beaten Greg Moon and Robert Newman, of England, 18-15 to earn their place in the final.

Meyer and Girdler were given a pep talk before they left for the Kowloon event by new men's international team manger and convener of selectors Peter Shaw.

He reminded them that as one of the favourites for a Commonwealth Games medal in Manchester, they had fallen short of expectations with an indifferent performance, failing to progress to the medal rounds.

Winning in Hong Kong is a major achievement, with invited international teams providing a true test.

Meyer and Girdler, both now based in Australia, have restored themselves as a world-class act with this success.

- NZPA