Bowls: Semifinalists found at National Intercentre tournament

Canterbury Women fell short in the last round of section play as their four struggled on the last day losing both games to Thames Valley and Wairarapa. Taranaki struggled from the first day and although they eventually came right the damage had been done, eventually placing fourth out of seven in their section.

The final four women and men's side have played some exceptional bowls to make the semifinals.

Dunedin Men qualified on top of their tough section after convincing wins over powerhouses Canterbury and Wellington. They faced Nelson in the quarterfinal who, again, was stacked with top New Zealand players.

Blackjacks Shannon McIlroy (Nelson) and Mike Kernaghan (Dunedin) faced off in the singles where Shannon got the rub of the green and was in front throughout, eventually winning 25-13. However the pairs and fours went the way of Dunedin.

Dunedin's semifinal opponents are Canterbury who they faced off against in section play. Canterbury played North Harbour in the semifinal where they were just too strong, winning the singles and pairs.

Auckland Men cruised through section play as they made their way to the post section. In the quarterfinal they played South Otago who came second in their section. While the pairs and singles were close at the beginning Auckland flicked a switch to win all three disciplines to book themselves in the semifinals.

Southland Men had a nervous wait in section play to even qualify. They were cruising after the first two days although after three losses in the penultimate round meant the lads really had to dig deep in the final round. They struck Manawatu in the quarterfinals where they were just too strong in the singles and pairs.

On the women's side of the coin North Harbour played South Otago where they showed their class to win the pairs and fours. They will now face Northland in the semifinal who stunned Canterbury in section play and Auckland in the quarterfinals. The quarterfinal win would come down to the very last bowl of the fours match where Northland's picked up shot to win the match.

In the other semifinal Wellington will face off against Nelson. Both side played at the highest of levels in section play, only dropping a game each. In the quarters they were again too strong - this will be a game to watch.