Bowls: Blackjacks fours good as gold

World Bowls 2016 men's fours champions, Mike Nagy (from left), Mike Kernaghan, Blake Signal and Ali Forsyth.

New Zealand claimed their first gold medal at the 2016 world bowls championships in Christchurch.

The men's fours combination of Mike Nagy, Mike Kernaghan, Blake Signal and Ali Forsyth continued a dominant tournament by crushing Australia 23-4 in the final.

Down 3-2 after three ends, New Zealand went on a massive run to jump into the lead before reeling off an unanswered six consecutive ends to finish the match after just 15 ends.

New Zealand have two more gold medal chances today, with Shannon McIlroy facing Canada's Ryan Bester in the men's singles final, and the women's pair of Jo Edwards and Angela Boyd going up against Wales.

McIlroy will be aiming to be the first New Zealand singles player since Peter Belliss in 1984 to win World Championships gold.

New Zealand have already claimed four bronze medals at the tournament.

Forsyth admitted he was thrilled to win his first world championships gold medal after three bronzes in various disciplines since 2008.

"It feels really good. I've had a few close misses and a few big disappointments. To be able to get through a full week like that and not drop a game, [is] unbelievable, I'm really proud of that effort.

"Right from the get-go we've put some really good sides under the pump through constant pressure."

Bellis said Forsyth's shot making was "just outstanding", he said.

"You need to have a team that gives him the opportunity to play those shots. Today was a great demonstration of that.

"Everyone complemented each other. That's what any team needs, no matter what sport it is."