After more than 100 years of combined playing experience between them, the fabulous four should know best although Forrest, of Counties Manukau, emphasised the other 15 teams also had impressive credentials to reflect a field at the fledgling tourney that continued to become stronger each year.
Said Pedley, also of Counties Manukau: "The others are adding experience every year."
So what was the secret to the fours success apart from knowing how to prevent their nerves from becoming jangled?
"We're compatible. We know and understand each other very well," said Pedley, revealing the four met through bowls about 15 years ago and what had since blossomed into long-lasting friendships.
Quipped a chuckling Pedley: "We like a bit of drink, too."
Added Wiggins: "Off the green we get on very well and we share a lot of jokes."
They often phoned each other throughout the year when their paths didn't cross at other tournaments and the Bay pair of Wiggins and Riddell were regulars in honouring the reciprocal arrangement of entering the Manurewa Bowls Ladies Classic in Counties every February.
"We're lucky to be here playing bowls," said Wiggins, mindful the game of life puts everything else in perspective.
No doubt, a sense of humour goes a long way although the past president of Bowls New Zealand, Ann Muir, of Whangarei, jovially labelled them "pot hunters" (those who go around chasing trophies).
"You've got to have a sense of humour. There are those who don't have it, though," said Pedley as others nodded in agreement.
"In golf, you can throw your clubs into a lake but in bowls you're likely to do a lot of damage."
Akin to tourney co-ordinator Riddell, of Hastings, Wiggins, who is in her 41st year of playing the game, is a Bowls NZ-accredited coach.
She echoed the sentiments of some of the other competitors that only several years ago it was difficult to find too many tourneys women could compete in because most of them were predominantly for men.
Pedley said her female club members had started the Manurewa Classic six years ago because of that.
Life member Riddell started the Bowls Heretaunga one because the members couldn't find decent tourneys to compete in, having to travel to venues such as Rotorua, Tauranga and Ohope to find traction.
One visiting competitor said bowls was a "maligned" code because it provided a "level platform" on which anyone from 8 to 80-year-olds could compete alongside each other without any disparities when compared to other sport.
The $250,000 Bowls Australia Open Championship, which started on Saturday in the Gold Coast, they noted had players as young as 8 in it last year.
Pedley reaffirmed Riddell's belief that the competitors at the fours tourney here didn't mind the cash prizes but that wasn't what motivated them.
Asked if they would return next year to defend their crown for the third consecutive time, a grinning Forrest replied: "Oh yes, but only if they'll have us and we're still breathing."
The composite team of Gillian Friis, Heather Haswell, Tania Smith, Diana Wood (3-11, -18) were the day-one winners while Dot Collis, Bea Gray, Babs Hirini, Janet Monteith (3-12 +18) claimed the day-two honours.
