Bowls: Some favourites hard-pushed to survive knockout games

It was a hard day at the office for a number of prominent players as section play in the fours finished at the national men's championships in Dunedin yesterday.

But nearly all proved up to the challenge, including Sid Giddy, still alive in search of the history-making three wins in a row.

Giddy's Mt Maunganui four lost their third-round morning match 19-13 to Merv Rowe of Mornington, but recovered to take the must-win fourth game against previously unbeaten Kerry Bragg of Martinborough 27-15.

Also making it through by winning their final game were Aucklanders Rowan Brassey and Danny O'Connor, who have 10 fours titles between them.

Wellington's Lou Newman and local hope Terry Scott of North East Valley also went to the wire before going through at the Tower-sponsored championships.

But not all the favourites were stretched by a fourth round. Safely qualified by lunchtime with three straight wins were a number of top sides, including 1999 champion Petar Sain of the Carlton club in Auckland, and 1998 winner Andre Smith of Havelock.

Fellow favourites with Brassey at the beginning of competition, Sean Johnson and Gary Lawson both qualified without playing in the afternoon session.

North Island teams making the trip and rewarded with a spot in the post-section draw include Tokoroa's Kevin Robinson, Graham Skellern of Tauranga, Helensville's Ken Downer, as well as Aucklanders Jim Murphy of Onehunga RSA, and Ron Gibbons of Pakuranga.

A total of 65 qualifiers from the original entry of 154 teams won three or four matches in section play and will start the knockout phase of fours tomorrow.

Action switches to the pairs today.