Top Bowlers Make the Grade in Singles and Pairs at NZ Open

Friday, November 8, 2013

Top Bowlers Make the Grade in Singles and Pairs at NZ Open

On what was arguably the busiest day of The Trusts New Zealand Open 2013, an exciting line-up of top bowlers made it through some trying qualifying matches in the men's singles and women's pairs today at bowling clubs around Auckland.

Winner of the 2011 men's singles title, Neil Fisher (Howick) took all three matches to join his 2011 finals rival Monte Pawa (Kaitaia Combined) and Gold Star holder Chris Le Lievre (Cabramatta) in post-section play.

Kiwi bowlers earn a Gold Star for winning five national titles.

In the women's pairs, recently elected Bowls NZ president Ann Muir was among the qualifiers today after winning two games and drawing one alongside Kensington teammate Jude Ganley, playing at lead.

A veteran bowler with numerous national and international titles to her name – including a Commonwealth Games bronze medal – Muir has competed in The Trusts New Zealand Open since its inception in 2007, and skipped the winning women's triples team in 2011.

Last year the Northland bowler played in the pairs and triples teams that were runners-up at the event, so she is aiming to get top honours in both pairs and triples this year at the tournament.

“I love the competition, meeting up with friends, the great format and structure of the event,” Muir says.

Defending women's singles champion and Black Jack Development Squad bowler Kirsten Griffin has also made it through into post-section with her mother Leigh Griffin (Victoria) skipping the duo.

Men's and women's triples qualifying matches will be played from 9am tomorrow morning at clubs around Auckland. The disabled pairs qualifying games will be played tomorrow at Henderson Bowls from 9am.
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