Gisborne’s McIlroy shines in New Zealand bowls victory

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FORMER Gisborne lawn bowler Shannon McIlroy played a key role in the New Zealand men’s four’s victory over Australia in the final of the Asia Pacific Championship in Christchurch yesterday.

Skip Paul Girdler and his team of Mcllroy, Andrew Kelly and Mike Nagy overcome the powerful Australian side of Mark Casey, Nathan Rice, Ray Pearse and Wayne Ruediger to win the gold medal in a tight encounter at the Burnside Greens.

The Kiwis were down 10-6 after 12 of the 18 ends with Australia appearing to be in control before New Zealand stormed home.

Kiwi No.3 Mcllroy put on a masterly display as New Zealand scored 10 shots from the 13th end to the 16th to be 16-10 up going into the 17th end.

Australia scored a two on the 17th end to make it 16-12. On the 18th, Mcllroy stepped up with his last bowl with the Kiwis three down on the head.

Australia needed four or five shots on the last end, but Mcllroy delivered a pinpoint-accurate drive that allowed their rivals to score only two, giving the host nation victory.

The win gave Girdler, Kelly and Nagy a second tournament gold medal to go with their victory over Japan in the triples, completing a great international comeback for Australian-based Girdler.

The four golds helped New Zealand finish the event as the best-performed men’s team from the 18 participating countries with two gold, a silver and a bronze medal.

The Kiwi women’s team won three bronze medals but will have the national selectors pondering their next move with further internationals in March.

Competitors are vying for selection in the five-man/five-woman New Zealand team for the world championships in Christchurch in November.

Australia were the best-performed women’s team at the Asia Pacific tournament. — NZME