Bowls: Twin wins for double double by Galloway

By BOB PEARCE

Mike Galloway and wife Vanessa are expecting twins in a few months, but the Pakuranga bowler is in line to score a double of his own today.

The 34-year-old greenkeeper will contest the finals of both the pairs and the singles of the Tower national championships at the Onehunga club.

Galloway reached the pairs final with clubmate David Clark yesterday after a thrilling 20-19 victory over Ross Haresnape and Neville Hill, from the Avondale club.

In the other semifinal, brothers Russell and Ian Meyer beat the Australian-based Peter Belliss and Justin Goodwin 17-14.

Galloway and Clark dropped a four to their opponents on the sixth of 18 ends and by the 10th were 9-15 behind.

With Clark finding his weight on the draw, they fought back to 17-16 with three ends to play. On the 16th Hill, who was skipping, with Haresnape leading, finally had some luck to score a three and snatch the lead back 19-17.

A two for Galloway on the 17th had them level and Hill's early shot-bowl was enough for the Pakuranga pair to prevail on the last end.

"It was a tough game, probably my toughest, but following news of the twins I take everything pretty calmly," said Galloway.

"I won't be changing my routine for finals day, doing the greens at Pakuranga in the morning. Why change a winning formula?"

For the 32-year-old Clark, success at the nationals has come quickly after a year off for family reasons.

He was originally at the Papatoetoe club and played with his father, uncle and cousin from that club in a four who qualified for post-section play.

Russell Meyer won a pairs title in 1998 with Peter Shaw.

Now based in Australia, he has little chance to combine with his younger brother, an accountant based in Palmerston North.

But they proved too consistent over the closing stages for Belliss and Goodwin, as they had on Saturday when they qualified for the fours final.

The fours final, which will start at 8 am, pits defending champion Sid Giddy and his Mt Maunganui team against Richard Girvan's composite side.

Giddy, who has the same combination of Lance Tasker, Kevin Maxfield and Maurice Hickey, beat the Wellington team skipped by Lou Newman 19-15.

Girvan, with the Meyer brothers and David Reid, demolished Belliss' four 26-6 after just 18 21 ends.

The pairs final follow the fours about 11.30 am, the singles about 2.30 pm.