Bowls: Titleholders in stirring fightback, then pipped in grandstand final

Defending champions Paul Girdler and Russell Meyer relinquished their Kingscliff Classic bowls pairs title yesterday, losing a nailbiting final 18-17 to Australian duo Wayne Turley and Michael Anderson.

The narrow defeat at the picturesque coastal club in northern NSW ended New Zealand's four-year domination of the event, but Girdler and Meyer went down fighting, despite trailing throughout.

Turley and Anderson appeared to be cruising when ahead 18-11 with just two of the 21 ends to play.

However, the New Zealand representatives picked up four shots on the penultimate end to set up a grandstand finish.

Girdler held three shots on the final end, but the chance to level the scores was snuffed out when Turley nudged one of the New Zealand bowls clear of the cluster.

Girdler and Meyer, based in NSW at St John's Park and Warilla respectively, were aiming for a hat-trick of titles.

As runners-up they each pocketed A$2250 ($2548).

Fellow New Zealand internationals Peter Belliss and Rowan Brassey held the title in 1999 and 2000.

New Zealand looked on course to redress the balance in the women's final, but Marlene Castle and Val Smith were pipped 20-19 with the last bowl of the contest.

Castle's final delivery tickled the jack towards two of Karen Murphy's bowls, giving the Australian No 1 and her partner Lee Poletti victory.

- NZPA