All four singles finalists out of fours champs

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

ALL four singles finalists — including Gisborne’s Nelson-based national champion Shannon McIlroy — were in fours eliminated at the national bowls championships in Christchurch yesterday.

Their teams figured in some of the surprise results in the one and only day of section play at the Heartland Bank National Open Fours Championships across Christchurch greens yesterday.

McIlroy, multiple championship winner Gary Lawson (skip), Mike Kernaghan and Tony Grantham lost their second game of the day, against local Bowls Papanui players skipped by Joseph van der Pennen, 19-18.

McIlroy’s opponent in Monday’s men’s singles final, Paul Girdler, was the skip of a team who lost their Round 2 match.

The day’s upsets served as a reminder that even the world’s top bowlers can have a bad day.

Youth is well represented in post-section play.

The four skipped by Bradley Down — all 17 or younger — made it through, as did Sheldon Bagrie-Howley’s four, all of whom are under 25.

Other notable qualifiers in the men’s draw included fours led by Rob Ashton, Scott Cottrell, Terry Scott, Andrew Kelly and Peter Belliss.

The women’s draw produced plenty of excitement.

Women’s singles losing finalist Tayla Bruce’s four could manage only a solitary win in their section and bowed out of the championship.

Women’s singles champion Kelsey Cottrell’s four were also eliminated after they lost their second game, 18-13, to the Elmwood team led by Bev Morel in a tight section.

A shock loss in the first round meant Jo Edwards had to work hard to qualify. Her four beat out the team led by Woodend’s Rae Miller by one differential point.

Notable qualifying teams in the women’s draw included fours led by Sandra Keith, Mandy Boyd, Tanya Wheeler and Nicole Toomey.