Bowls: Series loss follows disappointing singles

By TERRY MADDAFORD

A disappointing effort in the singles cost New Zealand the third test and the series against Scotland in Ayr yesterday.

On Saturday, New Zealand fought back from their 7-4 loss in the first test to take the second by the same margin in windy conditions and on the slow greens at the Craigie Club, but they struggled on the last day, going down 8-3.

They were up against it after the Gary Lawson and Paul Girdler combinations were beaten in the triples.

They got back into the test in the pairs, with Lawson and Brassey recording their third win in three such contests, and the strong Girdler/Russell Meyer combination finally winning.

But with Mike Kernaghan and Jamie Hill losing, the home side took a 3-2 advantage into the series-deciding singles.

Only Meyer won for New Zealand, although Lawson went close, going down 21-20. Girdler again had a match to forget in being thrashed 21-2 by Jim McIntyre.

The New Zealand team now head south to play the 10-country Centenary Tournament.