Bowls: Dream teams clash looms as Lawson and Bester line up in fours

Wellington finally turned on perfect conditions yesterday and the fours draw responded by producing the dream match-up of the national championships, pitting Gary Lawson against Canadian Ryan Bester in today's round of 16.

"This is going to be the clash of the tournament," Bowls New Zealand events manager Alan Griffiths said.

"There is nothing to choose between the sides and if conditions are as good tomorrow morning as they were today, we are going to see some great bowls being played."

Lawson, who last won the fours in 2003/2004, leads a side under Sydney's "The Hills" banner containing Commonwealth Games teammate Rowan Brassey, Glen McDonald and Andrew Todd.

Bester's teammates are Commonwealth Games pairs skip Jamie Hill and triples team member Justin Goodwin as well as Colin Lowery from Christchurch.

Both sides are anticipating a thriller of a match and hoping for more of the calm conditions the capital provided yesterday after almost a week of the shifty, gusty winds they had had to endure.

"I just wish we had played [against Bester's four] today because at least the conditions were brilliant and we could have got a great game," Lawson said.

"The frustrating thing about this place [Wellington] is that when it's windy, it's a joke."

The clash between Lawson, who will skip the triple at the Commonwealth Games, and the 21-year-old Bester, who he rates one of the finest drivers in the world, could well decide the outcome of the match.

Bester, who stays with Lawson in Sydney and plays with him in the Sydney premier league, said he was looking forward to today's match.

"Gary and I will be charged up for it for sure - it's great when two of the best teams in the tournament meet," said Bester, the reigning Asia Pacific singles champion.

"We were hoping to play each other in the singles but we didn't make it, both of us.

"Jamie used to play with Rowan and they won two fours national titles together [2001, 2002] and Justin is playing with Gary in the triples in the Commonwealth Games, so everyone knows everyone.

"We all want a good game and I'm sure it'll come down to the last ball tomorrrow."

Another interesting top-16 match-up will be between former New Zealand international Maurice Symes, of Belfast, and Paul Girdler of North East Valley.

The women's fours championship saw the departure of pairs champion Sharon Sims (Northern) after she was put out by top Cantabrian bowler Bev Morel (Elmwood), 18-17, in her first match of the day.

Morel went on to defeat singles champion Audrey Stevenson of Raumati South, 16-14, to make the quarter-finals.

Defending champion Judy Carson, of Kensington, flew through yesterday's matches, beating Barbara Herrett, of The Park, 24-15, in her first round and then Lesley Cooper, of Johnsonville, 17-13.

Jan Khan, (Beckenham) Meryle Mackie (Taita), Violet Gooch (composite), Marie Dallow (Waikanae), Kay Carr (composite) and Lorraine Davis (Beckenham) make up the remaining quarter-finalists.

- NZPA