Bowls: Three from north make last 16

Rowan Brassey, Sid Giddy and Sean Johnson are the only North Island names in the last 16 of the national fours championships in Dunedin after the first stage of knockout play yesterday.

Although 17 teams from Wellington and points north qualified into the last 65, a grouping together in the draw meant that six of the hopeful visitors were eliminated by other North Island teams.

Even so, the south dominated the north in their clashes. Out in the morning went Carlton's Petar Sain, beaten 24-11 by Alvin Gardiner, of Halswell in Christchurch, and Ray Gibbons, of Pakuranga, 22-17 at the hands of well-fancied Mike Kernaghan from the host city.

Ken Downer, of Helensville, Greytown's Simon Oliver and Kerry Bragg, of Martinborough, also lost to Dunedin opponents at the first hurdle.

Where North Island teams were pitched against each other, Wanganui's Ray Park lost to Kevin Robinson, of Tokoroa, and Danny O'Connor, from Okahu Bay, won the all-Auckland clash with Jim Murphy, of Onehunga RSA.

Wellington's Johnsonville club won the double header against Tauranga South. Rob Ashton ousted Merv Gibbons and Dan Dickison ended the hopes of Graham Skellern.

In the afternoon, Robinson departed 17-15 against Keith Richardson, of Allenton. Ashton and O'Connor also dropped out.

Johnson now plays Kerry Becks, of Kaiapoi, in Christchurch, and Brassey will play Richardson in the last eight on Wednesday. Giddy must wait for the winner of a catch-up between Alistair Keith, of Hampstead, and Chas Burrell, of Taieri.

That leaves co-favourite Gary Lawson in one of five all-South Island matches in the last 16 - he plays Gardiner.

National selector Bruce Malcolm, of Port Chalmers, faces Michael Fitzgerald, of Caledonian, ensuring at least one home-town team will make the last eight.