2 Jan 2017

Bowls players prepare for final day of qualifying

8:47 am on 2 January 2017

The men's and women's fours teams have taken full advantage of both defending champions being absent from this year's national bowls championships in Taranaki, as they prepare for the final day of qualifying.

Many teams are on track to make a clean sweep entry into post section play.

New Zealand Blackjacks bowls representative, Jo Edwards

New Zealand Blackjacks bowls representative, Jo Edwards Photo: Photosport

Young players Bradley Down, Jonty Horwell, Finbar McGuigan and Tom Tiaroa, who are all under 21 years old, claimed the match of the day yesterday, beating the experienced team of Rob Ashton, Petar Sain, Wally Marsic and Tony Garelja in a 17-16 nailbiter.

Taranaki local Dean Elgar, who won the 2016/17 Taranaki Open Singles championships, and his teammates Gerry O'Sullivan, Neil Candy and John Garrud have also made a strong start to their fours campaign with three straight wins.

Meanwhile, Blackjack Jo Edwards has skipped Val Smith, Kirsten Edwards and Tayla Bruce to three straight wins in the women's fours.

Jo Edwards will be looking to continue on that winning streak today, to make a trifecta of play-offs for her when post-section play begins on Tuesday.