Bowls: Trio turn up trumps

SYDNEY - New Zealand triumphed at the world women's bowls championships yesterday, winning the country's first world title in 23 years.

Patsy Jorgensen, Sharon Sims and Anne Lomas outplayed favourites England 18-12 to claim the triples gold medal at Moama, in Victoria.

The New Zealanders successfully employed the same formula which saw them top qualifiers in their 17-nation pool.

They led from the start against the experienced English triple, skipped by world championships veteran Norma Shaw, and remained patient when things became anxious before emerging deserving winners.

They are the first New Zealand gold medallists at the four-yearly pinnacle of bowls since Elsie Wilkie retained her singles title in 1977.

The trio said their win yesterday proved New Zealand women's bowls was re-entering a strong era. Late last year they won gold at the Asia-Pacific championships in Kuala Lumpur, as well as titles in the fours and singles.

Yesterday's result provided the career highlight for all three, who have been playing as an international triple and in fours since 1998.

"What a moment - it doesn't get any better than a world championship," Sims said moments after the win.

"It is special to do it with Patsy and Anne. We are a team that have been together for a while now and we have become better and better. It has taken some work but we can now say we are a good unit."

New Zealand lost just one of their 16 pool games.

Lead Jorgensen described winning the title as an adrenalin rush.

"I was really happy with how I led because I was a bit scared coming on to this green," she said.

"We have found that each green has a different cut, which means we have had to adjust each time. You really have to concentrate to find your line."

Skip Lomas, aged 46, from the Hunua club in Counties Manukau, said the platform for victory was laid by Jorgensen, 56, from the Bowls Napier club, and Sims, 47, from Palmerston North's Northern club.

"They gave me an easy ride," said a modest Lomas, who was proud of how her team withstood a fightback from England midway through the 18-end match.

Most of the ends were won by one shot, and Lomas pinpointed four key ends that swung things the Kiwis' way.

They were the second, when New Zealand picked up a three to go 4-0 up and establish the early lead they had planned. There was a four on the 10th end and a three on the 14th, the latter needed as the English closed to within one shot.

But the biggest play was the 16th end. Up 14-11, Sims took control of the head by superbly driving the jack into the ditch, providing a strong position which allowed Lomas to defend three shots and seal the match.

The win was merited. Often England escaped with head wins via Shaw when New Zealand held two or three shots.

While they would like to have celebrated last night, they were conscious of their opening fours matches against South Africa and Malaysia today.

They will be joined in the four by Jan Khan.

- NZPA