30 Dec 2009

Heavyweights breeze into post section pairs play

5:42 am on 30 December 2009

The heavyweights are in good form heading into the post section play in the mens pairs at the national bowls champs in Wellington.

Double world champion Gary Lawson, paired with Auckland's Danny Delaney eased into a post section spot only losing one game from six.

Australian based Canadian Ryan Bester continued to dominate the field remaining unbeaten with Eastbourne's Mike Carroll and Australian based Black Jack Andrew Todd secured his spot with pairs partner Ross Bell from Burnside tallying five wins from six.

Other strong contenders making it through to post section play include current North East Valley 10,000 champion Shaun Scott and partner Richard Corry, Kelvin Scott and Richard Collett, Northern's duo of Phil Skoglund and Raymond Skoglund, Kevin B Robinson and Steve Posa, Cabramatta's world champion Peter Belliss and Justin Goodwin, former New Zealand representative Sean O'Neill and Barrie Andrews, Jim Scott and Mark Watt, current Black Jacks Richard Girvan and Ali Forsyth and defending champions Rob Ashton and Ray Boffa who went through unbeaten.

In yesterday's day one of the womens pairs the hot favourites all secured themselves maximum points gaining three strong wins and requiring only one of three today to qualify.

Jan and Marina Khan combined to race out to three wins.

The mother and daughter duo from Victoria in the form of Leigh Griffin and under-18 New Zealand representative Kirsten Griffin also showed solid form as they too secured three wins.

Current NZ Open womens pairs champion Jan Shirley and Raelene Peters from Canterbury sent out the signal warnings as they start their quest of completing the double.

The surprise of the day came from the pairing of New Zealand representatives Karen Coombe and Hong Kong Classic Singles winner Genevieve Baildon who dropped a game against Allenton's Sandra Keith and Sandra Holdom.

Double world champion Val Smith and partner Hammond Kay only managed to string one of three wins together meaning she requires all three today for her title hopes to remain alive.