Bowls: Leeston bowler claims national title

Sandra Keith won the women's singles title at the national open bowls championships after beating Mandy Boyd 21-10 in the final at the Carlton Cornwall greens in Auckland this morning.

It's the first national title for the Leeston bowler and goes with the centre title she picked up earlier this year.

An impressive drawing game was the difference and Keith, from Ashburton, led from an early four she picked up on a crowded head.

Boyd played some good bowls but missed too many drives.

"It wasn't too stressful. I know Mandy and we've together played before,"

"I'm really grateful to my team for supporting me this week, they've been great. I couldn't have done it without them."

Two members of the Leeston club will come together under Keith (skip) and an Auckland bowler in a fours field that includes the defending champions. Mandy Boyd is also a member of last year's winning four.

In the men's pairs, Blake Signal and Alvin Gardiner were in top form as they breezed past Avondale father and son team Jamie and Neville Hill 20-9 in their semifinal.

Singles finalist Peter Hodson and his partner James Pugh beat Steve Beel and Shane Pascoe to join them in the final.

The match was level 14-14 in the final end before Hodson drew beautifully to hold four. Beel unleashed a drive, but missed the shot to give the Stoke team the victory 18-14.

The men's and women's pairs finals will be played this afternoon.