Nelsonians Gary Watson and James Pugh have provided a huge upset in the men's pairs at the National Open Bowls Championships, knocking out reigning champion and double world title holder Gary Lawson.
In Auckland, Lawson and his partner Justin Goodwin tossed in the towel after 15 of the scheduled 18 ends, while trailing 22-7.
The women's singles provided similar surprises, with two major hopes, former triple world champion Sharon Sims and her partner in the pairs, national squad member Mary Campbell, both beaten in the first round.
Another unfortunate loser was the promising 17 year-old Mandy Boyd of Taradale - but not before the Napier schoolgirl put up a sterling fight against experienced Johnsonville bowler, Karen Guildford.
